Laser shock processing effects on isothermal oxidation resistance of GH586 superalloy

The oxidation is one of the main failure mode of Ni-based alloy at high temperature, laser shock processing not only can improve the mechanical properties but also the oxidation resistance. So the study on laser shock processing effects on oxidation resistance of this alloy is necessary. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effects of laser shock processing on microstructure, micro-hardness and isothermal oxidation resistance of GH586 superalloy. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectrum, transmission electron microscope, and X-ray diffraction technique were used to analyze the microstructure changes and the surface morphologies of the oxide scales. In addition, micro-hardness of LSP-treated samples was measured. The results show that the average grains size on the surfaces of LSP specimen was found to be significantly finer compared to the untreated one (33.3 pm vs. 18.5 mu m). Highly tangled and dense dislocation arrangements and a high amount of twins have been observed. After the oxidation, the defects density (dislocations and twins) in the specimen decreased. The oxidation kinetics approximately followed a parabolic oxidation law at 800 degrees C and 900 degrees C. The oxidation layer was composed of Cr2O3, NiCr2O4, TiO2, and Al2O3, which generated more quickly on the surface treated by LSP during initial oxidation. The average oxidation rate was lower after LSP due to the dense, tiny and homogeneous oxidation layer. The results show that the specimens treated by LSP have a better high temperature oxidation resistance. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.