Creep strengthening mechanisms of a superlattice γ′-strengthened Co-Al-W-Ta-Ti single crystal superalloy at steady-state conditions under compressive stresses

The strengthening mechanism of steady-state creep is a critical factor in developing advanced superalloys. In this study, the steady-state creep mechanisms of a superlattice gamma '-strengthened Co-Al-W-Ta-Ti single crystal superalloy are investigated with the creep conditions of 750 degrees C/800 MPa, 900 degrees C/420 MPa and 1000 degrees C/137 MPa. Results suggest that the microstructures of steady-state creep samples are significantly different under the above three experimental conditions. A detailed TEM study shows that, Lomer-Cottrell locks and stacking faults interactions are responsible for the low creep rate at low temperature and high stress creep regime, dislocations cross-slip and the dislocation tangles contribute the main creep resistance at intermediate temperatures and moderate stress creep regime, interactions of stacking faults and dislocation networks are the strengthening mechanism for the high temperature and low stress creep regime. The steady-state creep rate of investigated alloy follows the classical power law equation, and the creep activation energy calculated by the power law equation is 378.46 kJ/mol. The results of this study provide insights into the effects of temperature and stress on steady-state creep mechanisms, and high activation energy makes the gamma '-strengthened Co-Al-W-Ta-Ti single crystal superalloy an attractive candidate for further study as a high temperature structural material.