Rapid Heating Effects on Microstructure and Thermal Stability of a Ni3Al Base Alloy, IC221M

The effects of rapid induction heating on the thermal stability of a Ni3Al base alloy containing Cr, Mo, Zr and B was investigated.  The alloy was produced with vacuum-arc remelting technique. Microstructural changes in the dendritic and interdendritic region during rapid heating process are clarified using scanning electron microscopy and image analyzing technique.  The results of this type of heat treatment were compared with normal heat treatment.  Results showed that rapid heating can accelerate the elimination speed of high zirconium phase and also the growth kinetics of γ' precipitates but has no significant effect on the growth mechanism.