The effect of deviations from precise [001] tensile direction on creep of Ni-base single crystal superalloys

Low temperature (1023 K) high stress (800 MPa) tensile creep behavior of the superalloy single crystal ERBO-1 (CMSX-4 type) is investigated. Three loading directions are compared: precise [001] and 15 degrees deviations from [001] towards [111] and [011]. It is found that creep rates (epsilon)over dot scale as (epsilon)over dot([001]->[111]) > (epsilon)over dot ([001]) > (epsilon)over dot([001]->[011]) already in the early stages of creep (epsilon <= 1%), where dislocation network formation and planar fault intersections cannot rationalize the observed rate effects. An analysis based on Peach-Kohler force calculations suggests, that fast creep rates are observed, when dislocations from two octahedral systems, which are required to react and form the leading part of a planar fault ribbon in the gamma'-phase, experience similar driving forces. Creep data, micromechanical calculations and TEM results are in good qualitative agreement. From a technological point of view, the results show that while 15 degrees deviations from [001] towards [011] can be tolerated, deviations towards [111] must be avoided. (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Acta Materialia Inc.