Using JMatPro Simulation to Study the Effect of Heat Treatment Temperature on the Dissolution of Gamma-Prime Phase in Inconel 617 Nickel-Based Superalloy

In this study the effect of heat treatment temperature on the formation and dissolution of gamma-prime phase has been studied in Inconel 617. Since the working temperature of Inconel 617 is above 540°C, the samples were heat treated at different temperatures in a range between 550 to 850°C and simulations were performed at the same temperatures by the JMatPro software. It was found that the gamma-prime phase with different percentages (below 10%) would exist in the temperature range of 550 to 800°C. However, it would gradually decrease as the temperature increases and finally dissolve completely at temperatures over 800°C. The observations by metallography were in good agreement with the predictions made by the JMatPro software. The microstructure investigations using the optical and field emission electron microscopy showed that the gamma-prime phase exists at 650°C and 750°C, but its weight percent decreases with increasing temperature, so that at 850°C no gamma-prime can be detected.