Surface recrystallization in a single crystal nickel-based superalloy

It is shown that, at temperatures above the gamma-prime solvus, rapid recrystallization occurs in the surface layers of superalloy single crystals which have been cold worked either by surface grit-blasting or by indentation. At temperatures below the gamma-prime solvus, cellular discontinuous recrystallization may be observed. By applying a recovery treatment insufficient to cause discontinuous recrystallization, it is possible to suppress the recrystallization of grit-blasted specimens when subsequently heated above the gamma-prime solvus.