Theoretical and Experimental Investigations of Elevated Temperature Deformation and Failure Behavior in Single Crystal Nickel-Based Superalloys

Statement of Work The objective of the proposed 3-year research is to quantify elevated temperature in situ deformation and failure behavior of single crystal nickel-based superalloys. The proposed research will investigate elevated temperature deformation and failure behavior in single crystal Ni-based superalloys using a combination of small scale high temperature mechanical testing (in situ SEM, in situ micropillar compression, indentation creep, and small-specimen creep) and extended finite element methods . This research will augment experimental studies at MSU with high temperature large-scale mechanical testing. The goal of this three year proposal is to systematically characterize and quantify the role of local microstructure in high temperature properties and failure behavior of Ni-based superalloys. This approach is employed because quantifying local deformation behavior, a measure of local microstructure attributes, is critical in predicting macroscopic deformation behavior, such as crack nucleation and role of secondary slip. Through qualitatively describing critical microstructural features that alter localized cyclic deformations and thus limiting/reducing the size/amount of the digital data requirement, this effort will complement current efforts in fatigue prognosis that use the futuristic Digital Twin concept. Furthermore, this work will help support a US citizen Ph.D. student