Inconel 740H Prepared by Additive Manufacturing: Microstructure and Mechanical Properties

An Inconel 740H nickel-based alloy was fabricated via wire arc additive manufacturing. The as-welded and heat-treated samples were analyzed to investigate their phase composition, microstructure, crystal structure, and mechanical properties. After heat treatment, the sample exhibited a columnar crystal zone microstructure consisting of a gamma matrix + precipitated phase, the remelting zone metallographic structure was a gamma matrix + precipitated phase, and the HAZ metallographic structure was a gamma matrix + precipitated phase. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) were used to show that the welded sample exhibited many dislocations, a few inclusions, and carbides, nitrides, and gamma' precipitates in its crystal structure. In contrast, the crystal structure of the heat-treated sample exhibited a lower number of dislocations and significantly higher carbide and gamma' precipitate content. Moreover, the mechanical performance of these samples was excellent. This heat-treatment process improved the sample strength by about 200 MPa, leading to better high-temperature mechanical properties. This work is anticipated to offer theoretical and experimental support for using additive manufacturing methods in the manufacturing of nickel-based superalloy components.