Process Development and Microstructure and Mechanical Property Evaluation of a Dual Microstructure Heat Treated Advanced Nickel Disc Alloy

Abstract

This paper summarises Rolls-Royce's efforts in developing a production capable and industrially robust process for the production of dual-microstructure components. This has been possible through the use of process modeling, full-scale validation trials, detailed microstructural assessment through a variety of destructive and non-destructive methods and mechanical property evaluation. This paper reports the fundamental underlying relationships between thermal history and microstructural evolution and how these directly influence mechanical properties. This work has enabled a deeper understanding of the opportunities and difficulties faced in the application of this technique for producing dual microstructures, and how the technique can be scaled up from the research laboratory to full production capacity.