Effects of Boron and Zirconium on Grain Boundary Morphology and Creep Resistance in Nickel-Based Superalloy

Grain boundaries (GBs) in nickel-based superalloys have a significant influence on the creep resistance of these alloys. In this study, the trace elements of boron and zirconium were added to the newly designed LESS 1 (Ni-22Cr-20Co-2W-2Nb-1.5Al-1.5Ti-0.03C) alloy, and their effects on the GB precipitation behaviors of carbides were observed. The combined addition of boron and zirconium generates a continuous film structure containing MC carbides and M 23 (C, B) 6 -type boro-carbides, as well as a grain boundary γ′. Based on the change in microstructure, rupture time is significantly increased. According to the observed microstructures and simulation results, it was confirmed that boron forms M 23 (C, B) 6 -type boro-carbides and zirconium appears to stabilize MC carbides at GBs.