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DMIC Ilepori 217

June 1, 1965

ENO

PHYSICAL METALLURGY OF ALLOY 718

id 965

JUL 2 1965

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DEFNS MEASIFRAINCNE
Batt lle emcrialInsttut

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Lrr~
 \V

DMIC Report 217 [

PHYSICAL METALLURGY OF ALLOY 718

by

H. J. Wagner and A. M. Hall

to

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF DEFENSE

RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING

DEFENSE METALS INFORMATION CENTER

Battelle Memorial Institute
Columbus, Ohio 43201

IEI
II
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pagee

SUMMARY ... .............. . ...... .. i I

INTRODUCTION ............ ............... ...... 1

EFFECT OF COMPOSITION AND HEAT TREATMENT

ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES ............... .............. 1

TRENDS IN SPECIFICATIONS ................ ............ 5

MICROSTRUCTURE AND MICROCONSTITUENTS ............... ...... 8

Cast Alloy ............... . . . . . .. . . ................. 8

Freckles .. . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. 8
Other Phases in Cast Alloy 718 ............ ............. 14

Wrought Alloy ..................... ................. 14

Microstructures Obtained from Typical Heat Treatments

and Service Conditions .............. . . ............. 19

STRENGTHENING MECHANISM ............... ................ zz

REFERENCES ...................... ................... Z3

 PHYSICAL METALLURGY OF ALLOY 718

by

H. J. Wagner and A. M. Hall*

SUMMARY

Wrought, weldable nickel-chromium-base on the low side, at the same time using 1750 1'
Alloy 718 was introduced about 5 years ago for annealing temperatures. For optirniu- short-time
service at medium temperatures, i.e., to about tensile properties at cryogenic or medium tern-
1300 F. Though not as strong as the nickel-base peratures, the trend has been towards lower
superalloys in the 1500 to 1800 F range, its corn- aluminum content, higher titanium content, and
bination of good mechanical and fabrication an annealing temperature of 1950 F. In all types
properties at both high and low temperatures has of applications the--e has been a tendency toward
earned it an important role in a number of aero- reducing the range of allowable composition.
suace systems. It has been used for its good
cryogenic properties in cryogenic tankage for Microstructtre and rnicrocollstituents are,
rockets; its short-time strength at temperatures as expected, profoundly influenced by composition
to 1200 r has permitted its use in liquid-fueled and heat treatment. The report describes micro-
rocket -,ngines; its creep-rupture properties at structure's and conditions for the formation and
temperatures up to 1300 F have enabled it to be solution of Laves phase (freckles), 1'i 3 Cb, gamma-
used in fabricated parts of various aircraft prime strengthening phase, and other rnicrocon-
turbine engines, stituents. The nature of the Y' strengthening phase
is indicated to be a n.aetastable phase based on the
The chemical composition and heat treat- Ni 3 Cb composition, but w~th a body-centered
ment of Alloy 718 act together in producing the tetragonal Ni 3 V structure. After overaging this
properties desired. In particular, it has been transforms to the stable orthorhornbic Ni 3 Cb.
found that the columbium, aluminum, titanium,
and carbon content have important influences. Though much has been learned concerning
Recent information indicates that for optimum Alloy 718, this reort indicates that rrauch more
creep-rupture properties, it is desirable to understanding needs to be obtained in order that
maintain aluminum on the high side, and titanium the full potentialities of the alloy may be realized.

*Associate Chief and Chief, Ferrous and High

Alloy Metallurgy Research Division, Battelle
Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio,
t
INTRODUCTION composition. This report discusses these in-
fluences, and to the extent that information has
Some 5 years ago a wrought, weldable nickel- been found, illustrates their interrelationships.
chromium-base alloy was introduced. (1)* Prima- However, no attempt has been made to present a
rily, it was intended for use at medium tempera- complete compilation of design properties in this
tures, 1300 F at most, its main applications being report.
in lightweight welded frames and other assemblies
in aircraft turbojet engines. It filled a need for a. EFFECT OF COMPOSITIOINAND HEAT
weldable, wrought material which the nickel-base TREATMENT ON MECHANICAL
superalloys were not fully capable of satisfying. PROPERTIES(I-)
Though the nickel-base superalloys have outstand-
ing strength at higher temperatures - between 1500 The composition range for Alloy 718 given
and 1800 F - they are quite difficult to weld. in Specification AMS 5596A is as follows:

Since Alloy 718 was first introduced, it has Cr 17.00-21.00 Mn 0. 35 maximum

broadened its areas of application into the Ni + Co 50.00-55.00 Si 0.35 maximum
cryogenic-temperature field. Its good properties Mo 2.80-3.30 P 0. 015 maximum
in the range of temperature from -423 to 1300 F Cb + Ta 5.00-5.50 S 0.015 maximum
make it especially suitable for use in the LOX- Ti 0.65-1.15 Co 1.00 maximum
L14 2 rocket engines. In these applications, Al 0.40-0.80 Cu 0.10 maximum
Alloy 718 is used for the fuel/oxidizer injector B 0.0020-0. 0060
plates, forged rings, thrust chamber jackets, Fe Balance
turbine wheels, bellows, and tubing. C 0.03-0.10

The nominal composition of Alloy 718, con- Various companies have issued specifica-
trasted with Reng 41, is as follcws: tions for Alloy 718 with chemical composition
differing from that shown above. These specifi-
Ni Co Cr Fe Mo Ti Al Gb C B cations are discussed later.

Alloy 53 -- 19 19 3 0.8 0.6 5.2 0.05 0.004 Heat treatment of Alloy 718 to develop
718 tensile properties, stress-rupture properties,
Reng 55 11 19 -- 10 3 1.5 -- 0.09 0. 005 or good notch-tensile properties have andergone
41 considerable change since 1960. For background,
some of the changes that have occurred are
This illustrates how Alloy 718 differs from the discussed below.
nickel-base superalloys: (1) substitution of colum-
bium for much of t..e aluminum and titanium, (2) the Characteristically, high strength in Alloy
introduction of almost 20 percent iron, and (3) re- 718 is developed by a high-temperature annealing
duction of the amounts of cobalt and molybdenum, treatment followed by a lower temperature aging
treatment. The specific annealing and aging
The effect of these differences is to reduce temperature and times, as well as the rates of
the high-temperature capabilities of Alloy 718, but cooling from these temperatures, have been al-
in return for this loss Alloy 718 has gained welda- tered steadily over the past 5 years.
bility.
In 1960 the International Nickel Company, (2)
The improved weldability of Alloy 718 derives who had developed the alloy, recommendF-d that
mainly from a change in composition of the princi- hot-rolled or annealed (mill annealed) products
pal strengthening phase, y'Igamma prime). While be aged at 1325 F for 16 hours. An optimum
the nickel-base superalloys are strengthene.d by aging temperature of 1275 F for 16 hours was
a Y' phase corresponding to Ni 3 (Al, Ti), the y' recommended for cold-rolled sheet.
in Alloy 718 is mainly Ni 3 (Al, Ti, Cb), or perhaps
Ni 3 (Al, Ti, Cb, Mo). Some disagreement exists Annealing temperatures of about 1750 F
as to the exact composition of the phase. In most were recommended, and users were cautioned
general terms, it is described as a metastable not to use annealing temperatures exceeding
structure, rich in columbium, and initially precipi- 1800 F. Figure 1 illustrates some of the data
tatinrg sA itiS coherent with the fcc (face-
t'h.at supporzing the recommendations.
centered cubic) matrix. Because the rate of
precipitation of the Y' is relatively low, in corn- Subsequently, it was found that improved
parison with the rate in the nickel-base superalloys, mechanical properties could be obtained by
precipitation hardening does not occur during the modifying the aging treatment. (1,3,4) Barker(l, 3)
welding cycles. It is this fact that accounts for the reported that aging at 1200 F for 200 hours
good weldability of Alloy 718. (following the 1700 F to 1325 F treatment) could
raise the room-temperature tensile strength from
The properties and microstructure of Alloy 180,000 to 240,000 psi. Also, a double-aging
718 are strongly influenced by heat treatment and procedure has been found to be beneficial. The
*References are given on pages 23 and 24.
 "%-

May, 1961, data report of the International Nickel In addition, a change was made in the
.() ed he - -o .... • rocedure. ,,. fr... ,s-
the yield and tensile strengths without decreasing properties, annealing at 1700 to 1800 F was
the ductility or stress-rupture properties: recommended, but for best stress-rupture
properties 1900 F was preferred.
(1) Anneal, age at 1325 Ffor 8 hours,
furnace cool at the rate of 20*/hr to In the course of the past few years, con-
1150 F, air cool siderable data have been accumulated showing the
effects of annealing temperature, aging tempera-
(2) Anneal, age at 1325 F for 8 hours, ture and times, and chemical composition.
furnace cool at the rate of 100*/hr to Nevertheless, the present situation is that the
1150 F, hold at 1150 F for 8 hours, matter is still unsettled. One reason is,
air cool. undoubtedly, that the data have not always been
consistent. One reason for the lack of consistency
seems to have been that the optimum heat treat-
ment depends on the chemical composition,
particularly the aluminum content. This is
illustrated in Figure 2, which is plotted from data
200 in a Iatrobe Steel Company report. (5)

190
"180 nieStrength

170 190 - -.-

10Annealed 160~ and Aged
'r 8
150 CL.
140 . 0.2 Yield _o 170 ,
l.'o -.... .= •••• - srer'gth 0- C

120 160
___C1 L Annealed at I700F,I hr,air c9oled; aged
0
at 1325F,B hr,cool at 100 /hr to 1150F;
_ S110
0na - e 150 -- age atll5OF,8hr,aircool.
2 0e o O Annealed oa1750F, aged as above
090 0j
3 Annealed at 1800F,aged as above
8140

70 •130
0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8
60 20.%Yield Aluminum Content, percent

50 Srnt
40 FIGURE 2. YIELD STRENGTH OF ALLOY
718
30 AS A FUNCTION OF ALUMINUM
CONTENT
20
5
10j7 Latrobe Steel Company data( )

0
1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100
Annealing Temperature, F Eiselstein(b) made a systematic study, of
the effects of changes in the titanium, aluminum,
boron, and columbium .content on the mechanical
FIGURE 1. EFFECT OF ANNEALING TEMPERA- properties of Alloy 718. He found, as expected,
TURE ON THE ROOM-TEMPERATURE that the effects of chemical composition were
TENSILE PROPERTIES OF ALLOY dependent on the heat treatment. The effect of
718 - ADAPTED FROM A 1960 aluminum content on the room-temperature
BROCHURE( 2 ) yield strength was a function of both the annealing
temperature and the aging temperature. When
Annealed for 15 min; aged at 1325 F for 16 hr. the alloy was heat treated as follows:
 Anneal: 1750 F, 1 hr, air cool
Age : 1325 F, 8 hr, furnace cool at
rupture properties are needed. If the aluminum
content is not low, howvei, th-e 1750 F annea.-
I
20 *°/hrto 11 50F, air cool. in combination w~ith a 1325 to 1350 F aging treat-
20/rt
10,arco.ment seems preferable. -
the titanium and
it was found that increasing
columbium content within the specification range The effect of columbium content on the
increased the yield and tensile strengths at room tensile properties is shown in Figure 5. Often,
temperature and at 1200 F. The elongation was when speaking of colbmnbium, the term columbium
correspondingly decreased. Increasing alumninurn, + tantalum is used. In such a case, the tantalum
on the other hand, seems to have lowered the content can be considered to be 10 percent of the
tensile and yield strengths, without affecting the columbium content. The figure shows a regular
elongation. Boron had a slight adverse effect on increase in yield strength as the columbiuni +
room-temperature tensile strength but increased tantalum is increased from 2 to 6 pfrcent, for
the elongation. the annealed and aged material. As annealed
(not aged), an increase in tensile and yield
At 1300 F, increasing the titanium content strengths %as also observed, which is indicative
hnczeased the tensile and yield strengths, while of some solution strengthening.
decreasing the elongation. Increasing the
alumninum content over 0.7 percent resulted in a Although Figure 5 shows some advantage in
slight increase in tensile strength, accompanied columbium. contents above 5 percent with respect
by a decrease in the elongation, to tensile strength, the ductility drops noticeably.
Therefore, composition limitations were first set
Table 1 summarizes the results c" some at nominally 5 percent columbium. Exdsting
of Eiselstein's experiments on the effects of specifications allow up to 5.50 percent columbium.
aluminum and titanium.
Carbon in amounts between 0. 01 and 1
Figures 3 and 4(7) show the effect of percent was found to reduce the yield and tensile
aluminum content on the room-teraperature ten- strengths at 1300 F. Presumably, this decrease
sile properties of Alloy 718 annealed at 1750 or is the result of reduction in the effective amount
1950 F, and then aged at 13Z5, 1350, 1375, or of columbium, which is tied up by the carbon.
1400 F, followed by aging at 1200 F. These
figures show how intimately related are the heat Smnooth-bar rupture life appears to depend
treatment and composition. For the highest more on the annealing temperature than on the
yield strength, the optimum combination would chemical composition. In investigating the effects
be: low aluminum, 1950 F anneal, and a 1325 or of boron, titanium, aluminum, carbon, and
1350 F aging treatment. However, in rupture annealing temperature (+ 1325 F age, 8 hr, furnace
testing, specimens with this chemical composition cooled to 1150 F, air cooled), Eiselstein( 6 ) found
and heat treatment are notch brittle, that increasing the annealing temperatures from
1750 or 1800 F to 1900 F increased the rupture
The combination of low aluminum content, life more than did compositional changes while
high annealing temperature, and relatively low the annealing temperature was held at 1750-1800
aging temperature is also good with respect to F. With the 1900 F anneal, compositioaial varia-
fatigue life and short transverse properties but tion was more important than when the lower
is not desirable when optimum long-time stress- annealing temperature was used, In general, it

TABLE 1. SUMMARY(a) OF THE EFFECT OF VARIATION OF THE TITANIUM AND ALUMINUM

CONTENT OF ALLOY 718(6)

Range of Tensile Strength Yield Strength Elongation

Variation, Room 1200 1300 Room IZ00 1300 Room 1200 1300
Element percent Temp F F Temp F F Temp F F

Titanium 0.6-1.3 + + + + + + -

Aluminum 0.4-0.9 - -0
0.1-0.8 + -0
(Over
0. 7%)

(a) +, increase; -, decrease; 0, no change.

Heat treatment: 1750 F, 1 hr, AC + 1325 F, 8 hr, FC at ZO0/hr to 1150 F, AC.
 4

0..2% Yield Strength 0

o 170
8 Annealed o! 1750 F/lhr,AC,and aged as follows:
hcA - 1325 F/8 hr, FC,100*/hr to 1200 F/S hr,AC
0 1350 F/a hr, FC,100 */hr
0- to 1200 F/8 hrAC
160o 0 -1375 F/8 hr, FC,100*/.Nr to 1200 F/S hr, AC _

V -l4O00F/10 tvrFC, 00*/ hr to 1200 F /8 hr, AC

Elongation
0 1325 IF
0150 -20*~ -
14N= g; 350j2-W35 F
0 1400 FI

1301
04 0.2 03
1 ___0

04 05 06 07 0.8 09
0

Aluminum Content, per cent

FIGURE 3. EFFECT OF ALUMINUM CONTENT ON THE ROOM-TEMPERATURE YIELD STRENGTH OF

ALLOY 718 HOT-ROLLED BAR STOCK

190

400

10.

O Annealed at 1950F/Ihr,AC,and aged as follows-

0
16 A-__ 135______0*h t 20 / rC3
16 0 - 1350 F/8 hr, FC,100 */hr to 1200 F /8 hr, AC
C O3-1375 F/8 hr, FC,100 V/hr to 1200 F /8hr. AC
V -1400 F/tIhr,FC,100 */hr to 1200 F /8 hr, ACOp

150 Elongation ,7,Qr200

140 10C

130
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
Aluminum Content, per cent
FIGURE 4. EFFECT OF ALUMINUM CONTENT ON THE ROOMV-TEMPERATURE 0.2% YIELD STRENGTH
OF ALLOY 718, HOT-ROLLED BAR STOCK
 of the relationships, and suggests why more daa I
are needed. Meanwhile, specifications for
220 chemical composition and heat treatment have
undergone many changes since the alloy was first
200 developed. These specifications are discussed
Tensile Strength in the next section.
S180 TRENDS IN SPECIFICATIONS

-160 Specifications for Alloy 718 have been

issued by a number of companies,( 8 - 15 ) who
(D)
140
. -intend using the alloy in different kinds of service.
Q02% Yield In the main, the service for which the alloy is
120 - Strength intended can be grouped into the following categor-
ies:
100
10 (1) High temperature, requiring good short-
8 -time tensile properties
W~ 80
CL (2) High temperature, requiring good creep-
SReduction rupture properties

"< 40 (3) Cryogenic, requiring good tensile pro-

0 perties and toughness.
.2- 20
tiII The major application for the material in
S0 the first category is in the hot parts of liquid-
Q: 0 I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 fueled rocket engines. Aircraft turbine engines
Cb+To Content, per cent are the main applications for the second category.
In Category (3) fall such missile hardware as
cryogenic tankage and piping. These applications
are sometimes called out in the specifications
FIGURE 5. ROOM-TEMPERATURE TENSILE themselves, as indicated in the following quota-
PROPERTIES OF ALLOY 718 AS A tions from some of the specifications:
FUNCTION OF COLUMBIUM AND 8
TANTALUM6 CONTENT (After AMS 5596A( )
Eiselstein)( )
"2.Applicatior': P.i,-iariiy ior parts, such
was found that in 1300 T, 75,000-psi rupture as cases and ducts, requiring high
tests resistance to creep and stress rupture
(1) Titanium had little or no effect on the up to 1300 F (705 C) and oxidation
smooth-bar rupture 1 .fe. resistance up to 1800 F (980 C), parti-
cularly those which are formed and
(2) Increased aluminum increased the then heat treated to develop required
rupture life, but there was no advan- properties."
tage to adding over 0. 4 percent. RBD170-lol( 1 0 )

(3) Boron increased the rupture life, but

for annealing temperatures of 1750 or "1. Scope: This material is a nickel-base
1800 F, there was no advantage to heat-r'-sistant alloy which is intended
adding over 0. 003 percent. For primarily for parts requiring high
annealing temperatures of 1900 F, short-time tensile strength up to 1000
however, amounts of 0. 004-0. 006 were F and oxidation resistance up to 1800 F.
most effective, particularly when the It has good cryogenic properties and
aluminum was low and the titanium high. better weldability than other age har-
denable nickel-base alloys."
(4) Carbon, in the presence of 0. 004-0. 006
percent boron, was found to increase EMS-581c( 1 5 )
the notch-bar rupture life but decrease
the smooth-bar rupture life. "3. Application: Primarily for parts
requiring high strength and corrosion
Data on the interrelationships among resistance at both cryogenic and eleva-
chemical composition, heat treatment, and ted temperature, particularly those
mechanical properties are still being gathered, which are machined and welded and then
The foregoing gives some idea of the complexity heat treated to develop required
 6

properties. Mate:rial has good oxida- A good illustration of the devalopments

tion resistance up to 1800 F but is use- that have taken place in arriving at the present
ful at temperatures above 1200 F only specifications is obtained by comparing Rocketdyne
when stresses are low." Specification RB0170-039 (November, 1962) with
RB0170-101 (March, 1965) which replaces -039.
Because of the necessity of satisfying differ- Notice that the columbium range has been de-
ent kinds of applications, we find today that the creased by raising the minimum from 4.75 to
specifications are becoming more restrictive as 5. 00 percent; the titanium range has been de-
to chemical co 'osition and, depending on the creased by raising the minimum from 0. 65 to
intended applhcation, will ask for widely differing 0. 85 percent; the aluminumn range has been
heat treatments, decreased by raisii.g the minimum from 0. 35 to
0. 40 and lowering the maximum from 0. 85 to
In particular, the differences between the 0.70. Also, the maxima on carbon, silicon, and
various specifications lie mainly in the columbium, manganese have been lowered.
aluminum, and titanium content. Smaller differ-
ences exist among the carbon and boron content. A further example of this trend is observed
Table 2 illustrates the allowable chemical com- by comparing AiResearch Specification EMS-581c
position according to selected specifications. (January, 1965) with its original version, EMS-581
(August, 1962). The main application is for
The general trend seen in Table 2 is cryogenic tankage, but may include high-
for the specifications applicable to aircraft temperature tensile-limited components.
engines 8, 12• 14) to tend toward:
EMS-581 EMS-581c
(1) Limits of 0.65-1.15 titanium
Cb + Ta 4.75-5.75 4.75-5.50
(2) Limits of 0.40-0.80 aluminum Ti 0. 30-1. 30 0.70-1.40
Al 0.20-1.00 0.20-0.70
(3) Limits of 5.00-5.50 columbium. B -- 0. 006 max
C 0. 10 max 0. 08 max
The trend for liquid-fuel rocket engine
manufacturers(9, 10) is towards higher titanium Besides changes in composition, there have
(up to 1. 4 percent) and lower aluminum content been changes in heat treatment. Most curious has
(0. 2 to 0.7 percent). been the complete reversal in the original ideas

TABLE 2. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF ALLOY 718 ACCORDING TO VARIOUS •DECiirICATIONS

Amount Specified(a), percent

Si Mn S Cu "'-
Identification Company Cb + Ta Ti Al B C (max) (max) (max) (max)
AMS 5596 (8)(b) Society of 5.00-5.50 0.65-1. 15 0.40-0.80 0.002-0.006 0.03-0.1 0 0.35 0.35 0.015 0.10
Automotive
Engineers
AGC-44152(9) Aerojet-General 4.75-5.5 0.65-1.40 0. 10-0.80 0.001-0.010 0. 10 max 0 45 0 45 0.015 0.30
0
RB0170-1010( ) North American 5.00-5.50 0.85-1.15 0.40-0.70 0.006 max 0.06 max 0.35 0.35 0.015 0.30
Aviation-
Rocketdyne
RB0170-0390 1) North American 4.75-5.50 0.65-1.15 0.35-0.85 0.006 max 0.03-0. 10 0 45 0.40 0.015 0.15
Aviation-
Rocketdyne
1
B50T60-S6( ) General Electric 4.75-5.50 0.70-1.40 0.20-0.80 0.002-0.010 0.10 max 0.45 0.35 0.03 0.75
Company, Large
Jet Engine
Division
1 31
C50T79(SI)( General Electric 5.00-5.50 0.65-1.15 0.40-0.80 0. 002-0. 010 0.10 max 0.40 0.35 0.03 --
Company, Large
Jet Engine
Division
14
PWA 1009-C( ) Pratt and 00-5.50 0.65-1.15 0.40-0.80 0.006max 0.03-0.10 0.35 0.35 0.015 0. 10
Whitney
Aircraft
EMS-581c(15) AiResearch 4.75-5.50 0.7-1.4 0.2-0.7 0.006 max 0.08 max 0.45 0.40 0.015 0.30
Manufac turing
Company

(a) In addition to the elements shown in the table,, all specifications call for the following:
Co, 1.00 max, Ni + Co, 50.00-55.00, Cr, 17.00-ZI.00, Mo, 2. 80-3.30, Fe, balance.
When specified, P is 0. 015 maximum. Ta is listed in RBO170- 101 as 0.50 max and in B50T69-S6 as 1. 00 max.
(b) Superscripts refer to references.
 71
that high annealing temperatures were good for cooling (or faster*). Then the alloy is double
creep-limited applications, and low annealing aged to develop high strength (see page 22 for an
temperatures for tensile-limited applications, explanation of the mechanism). The usual method
The aircraft engine manufacturers, desiring good is to hold for 8 hours at the first aging tempera-
creep-rupture life, have found that 1700 or 1750 F ture, furnace cool at the rate of 100 */hr to the
for 1 hour is the preferred annealing treatment. * second aging temperature, hold 8 hours, and air
On the other hand, when good tensile properties cool. As an alternative, some specifications
at temperatures to about 1200 F are needed, the permit holding 8 hours at the first aging tempera-
annealing temperature is now specified as 1950 F. ture, furnace cooling at an unspecified rate, and
This temperature seems preferred also when holding at the second aging temperature until the
toughness at cryogenic tempeeatures will be re- total elapsed time since the start of the first
quired in service, aging step is 18 hours. In the Rocketdyne and
Aerojet-General specification, the time of first
The main reason for not using the 1950 F aging may be 10 hours, and the total elapsed time
anneal for creep-rupture-limited applications is may be 20 hours instead of 18 hours.
that the material lacks rupture ductility. The
trend toward higher annealing temperature for
tensile-limited applications has been iied in with Depending on section size, the specifica-
a lowering of the specifieu asuminum content. t heall f r eth
l nml
Data illustrating the improved tensile properties
under these conditions were shown in the previous
section. Moreover, it has been reported that Minimum Yield Strength,
lowering the aluminum content also improves the psi
weldability.
At room temperature
145-150,000 psi
Typical heat treatments are listed in Table At 1200 F 120- 125,000 psi
3. Generally, the heat treatment consists of an At -3Z0 F 175,000 psi
anneal for 1 hour or more, followed by air Rupture stress for 23-hour 72,500-75,000 psi
lifc at 1300 F
*Som.r'tm.. the annealing treatment is referred to
as a ',solution treatment. " This is proper only
when the temperatures exceed 1750 F, because *Water quenching, oil quenching, or air cooling
complete solution does not take place below (-400* /rmin). Slow cooling (<40 */mio) can
1750 F (see next section). result in low yield strengths after aging. (16)

TABLE 3. ANNEALING AND AGING TE"PERATURES

Annealing First Aging Second Aging

Specification Temperature, Tempe rature, Temperature,
Identification Company F F F Aging Method(a)_

AMS 5596A Society of Automotive 1750 1325 1150 I or II

Engineers
B50T69-S6 General Electric 1700 1325 1150 I
Company
C50T79(S1) General Electric 1800 1325 1150 I
Company
PWA 1009-C Pratt and Whitney 1750 1325 1150 1 or II
Aircraft
EMS-581c AiResearch 1950 13 50 (b) 1200 I
RB0170- 101 Rocketdyne 1950 1400 1200 I11
AGC-44152 Aerojet-Gene ral 1950 1350 1Z00 IV

,a) I:, Hold 8 hr at first aging temperature, furnace cool at 100°/hr to second aging temperature.
Hold 8 hr, air cool.
II:Hold 8 hr at first aging temperature, furnace cool to second aging temperatur Hold at
second aging temperature until total time elapsed since the beginning of the irst aging
is 18 hr.
III: Hold 10 hr at first aging temperature, furnace cool to second aging temperature. Hold
at second aging temperature until total time elapsed since the beginning of the first
aging is 20 hr.
IV:. Same as III, but first aging time may be 8 to 10 hr.
(b) 1400 F on certain heavy forgings.
 There are slight variations from these
figures in some oi the specificationa, but they
illustrate the general requirements. When the
1950 F anneal is specified, however, no demands
for a 1300 F ruptuxe test are made.

The effect of various heat treatments on

properties has been accompanied by a consider-
able amount of work on understanding the micro-
structure and phases that are present in Alloy 718.
These are discussed in the next section.

MICROSTRUCTURE AND MICROCONSTITUENTS

Alloy 718 is used primarily in the wrought

form. Nevertheless, certain features of the cast
structure can be retained in the wrought structures,
and, in these cases, have a strong influence on the
mechanical properties of the wrought product. 10OX
Accordingly, the microstructures of both cast and Overetched in Chromic Acid
wrought Alloy 718 are discussed.
FIGURE 7. CAST STRUCTURE OF TOE6 OF
Cast Alloy INGOT WITH 5.4% Cb + Ta( )

Figures 6 and 7 show typical cast structures (Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing4
obtained from different parts of the same ingot. (6)
Figure 6 shows the head end, while Figure 7 shows
the toe end, which had cooled much faster than the
head end. The dendrites are the light areas and
the matrix is the dark area. Pie light conbtituent ,. 7
within the dark area has been identified as a Laves J
phase of the A 2 B type. Figure 8 shows a finer >
distribution of the phase as found in the center of
a 9-inch-diameter air-melted ingot.

*Electrolytic, Chromic Acid

FIGURE 8. CENTER OF AIR-MELTED

22
9-INCH-
DIAMETER INGOT( )
4
S" (Reduced approximately ZO percent in printing)

* Freckles

The Laves phase has been identified with

S, • -the phenomenon of "freckles" which (unlike the
microstructures shown) appear as dark-etching
1 icX constituents when large sections are macroetched.
Overetched in Chromic Acid Figure 9(6) is an example of freckles in a large

FIGURE 6. CAST STRUCTURE OF HEAD OF forging in which the cast structure has been re-
INGOT WITH 5.4% Cb + Ta( 6 ) tained in the center. Their geometry is actually
rod-like, extending in a general axial direction
(Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing.) but perpendicular to6 the freezing front in arc-cast
billets. Eiselstein( ) reported that in the annealed
 R2
II

FIGURE 9. VACUUM-ARC-MELTED AND CAST 16-IN. -DIAMETER INGOT FORGED AND TURNED TO
12-IN. -DIAMETER ROUND

This cross section was taken from the toe end of the forged ingot. Note the dark-etching
"freckles". (6)
 10 --

and aged condition, samples containing freckles 10 structure is not affected by solution treatment at
had yieid strengths of approximately 120,000 psi, temperatures below Z100 F. Apparently it can be
as compared to an expected value of 150,000. It dissolved at 2100 F or above. Kaufman and
was also reported that the ductility of the freckled Palty( 19 ) obtained an Fe 2 (T. ,I Cb) phase in wrought
samples was "poor". Alloy 718 annealed at 2250 F. It is likely, how-
ever, that grain-boundary melting had occurred at
Poor ductility in regions having a large this temperature, as shown in Figure 21. Subse-
amount of Laves phase in a coarse dendritic struc- quent treatment at 1800 and 2000 F tended to
ture seems well documented. Figures 10 and 11 spheroidize and agglomerate the phase.
are examples. The specimens represented in Eiselstein( 6 ) reported that this phase was present
Figures 10 and 11 were from slightly worked in a specimen held for 100 hours at 1700 F, in-
cast ingots. The elongations in tensile tests were, dicating that the Laves phase will appear after
respectively, zero percent and 15 percent, (6) long-time exposure to relatively high temperatures.

Figures 12 and 13 show areas in a forging The Laves phase associated with the
made by Beech Aircraft Corporation( 1 7 ) from a phenomenon of freckles has been found to be
12-in. forged billet of Alloy 718 that had shown isomorphous with Fe 2 Ti. It has been described
severely freckled areas. The banded structure as Fe 2 (Ti, Cb)( 19 ) or simply M 2 (Ti, Cb). (18)
and mixed grain size is believed to have resulted Eiselstein( 6 ) found that the residue obtained by
from the chemical heterogeneity in the vicinity of dissolving a freckled region in a forging was high
the freckles, in colurnbium, molybdenum, and nickel and con-
tained, in addition, small amounts of iron,
Because of the adverse effect of freckles chromium, and titanium (12 to 15 weight percent
(or Laves phase), there has been a good deal of in all). The nickel content increased when the
study put into identifying the conditions of chemical specimen was annealed and aged.
composition and heat treatment tht:t promote them.
Generally, the occurrence of the Laves phase has Barker( 1 8 ) also presented data of other
been associated with the cast state, investigators wlhich showed the residues in
annealed and aged specimens to be high in nickel.
Barker( 18 ) has reported on the effect of It would seem that the actual chemical composition
various heat treatments of the microstructures of the Laves phase is subject to considerable
and microconstituents of cast Alloy 718. Figures variation and depends strongly on the thermal
14-20 snow some of the microstructures obtained history of the specimen. Certain of the data
from various cast ingots. These microstructures presented in .0arker's report indicate an
show that the Laves phase present in the cast approximate formula of the following form:

,- •. • .

1 0X Overetched in Chromic Acid 10OX Overetched in Chromic Acid

FIGURE 10. SLIGHTLY WORKED CAST STRUC- FIGURE 11. SLIGHTLY WORKED CAST STRUC-
TURE HAVING ZERO PERCENT TURE HAVING 15 PERCENT
ELONGATION IN A TENSILE TEST( 6 ) ELONGATION IN A TENSILE TEST( 6 )

(Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing.) (Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing)

 -Iq

a. a.

1 0OX 1 OOX

b. b.

1 00X 1 00X

C. C.

FIGURE 12. MICROSTRUCTURE IN THE BOSS FIGURE 13. MIC ROST RUCTURE IN THE BODY
AREA OF A HEMISPHERICAL TANK OF' A HEMISPHERICAL TANK
FORGING( 17 ) FORGING( 17)

Etchant: mixed acids. Etchant: mixed acids.

(Reduced approximately 20 percent i.n printing.) (Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing.)

 L

II

S. 4 :. . .
250X 250X
FIGURE 14. AS-CAST ALLOY 718 FIGURE 15. CAST ALLOY 718 ANNEALED ATr
1700 F, 1 HR, AIR COOLED, THEN
The irregular white phase is Laves. The blocky AGED AT 1325 F FOR 16 HR
phases are carbides and nitrides. The dark
etching phase is believed to be N33 Cb( 1 8 ' 19 ) Some of the Ni 3 Cb has become acicular. ( 1 8 , 1 9 )

(Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing.) (Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing.)

-4

50OX 50OX

FIGURE 16. CAST ALLOY 718 ANNEALED AT FIGURE 17. CAST ALLOY 718 ANNEALED AT
i700 F FOR 1 HR AND AIR 1800 F FOR I HR AND AIR
COOLED(1 8) COOLED
The acicular phase is Ni Cb which surrounds
(Reduced approximately 20 percent in prining.) the Laves phase. (18) 3

(Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing.)

 -4?

p .~ ;-.13
I I -ý

-4 WI

500X 500X

FIGURE 19. CAST ALLOY 718 ANNEALED AT

FIGURE 18. CAST ALLOY 718 ANNEA LED AT 2000 F FOR 1 HR AND AIR COOLED
2000 F FOR 1 HR AND AIR COOLEID
The irregularly shaped white areas are Laves
The blocky white phasa is Laves. The N~i Gb phase, but the other blocky white particles are
18
has been -.lmost completely dissolved. (18? carbides of columbium and titanium.( )

(Rf;uuced approximately 20 percent in printing.) (Reduced approximately 20 pexcent in printing.)

0 0

FIGUR 20. NELDA CATALY78

R
2100~~ ~ ~I ~ OLD ~F O-

i'.DTE GDA 20.1AS ALLOY 718SHE ANNEALED AT

35FFRFIGURE

16 HR AND AIR COOLED 2250 F, 2 HR, ICE-BRINE

QUENCHED
Most of the white particles are Laves phase Aged at 1400 F, 100 hr, water quenched.( 19
)
partially dissolved.( (8)

(Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing.) (Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing.)

 71.

I
A

(Ni 0 6 Fe 0 . ZCr 0 2)2 (Cb 0 . 7 Mo 0 . 3). Other data, Other Phases in Cast Alloy 718
including Eiselstein's, fail to conform to a simple
A 2 B formula in which certain elements enter the Kaufman and Palty( 1 9 ) reported somhe
A portion of the formula and other elements the B Ni 3 Cb, and carbides and nitrides of titanium and
portion. columbium in the as-cast structures. The amount
of Ni3Cb increased after the material was annealed
It seems apparent, also, that considerably at 1700 F (1 hour, air cooled) and aged at .1325 F
mort work should be done to characterize the (i6 hours, air cooled). Figures 14-20, from
Laves phase, the conditions ander which it will Barker's report. (18) show these phases in the
form, and the effects of thermal treatment on it. microstructure. In addition, it should be borne
in mind that the major strengthening phase, y'
The temperatures and compositions at is not visible in the optical microscope. The
which the Laves phase will form have been depicted orthorhombic Ni 3 Cb, apparently, is the equilibrium
in Figuý'e 22 by Eiselstein( 6 ) in the form of a phase obtained after long-time aging of the
pseudobinary diagram with the Alloy 718 base and Ni 3 (Cb, Mo, Ti), gamma prime.
the columbiurn content as the two components. The
diagram shows the areas in which Laves phase Wrought Alloy
formed after holding specimens of the alloy at the
indicated temperatures for 100 hours. It suggests Alloy 718 bar has a microstructure typical
that high columbium contents promote the formation of wrought nickel-base alloys. Figures 23-26(20)
of Laves phases. The actual conditions of cooling are illustrative of the microstructures found in
in a large ingot can result in the formation of consumable-electrode vacuum-melted stock, and
Laves phase in local columbium-rich regions, show the changes produced by the annealing and
even though the average composition may be low aging treatments.
in columbium content. Hence, Laves phase is
found in heavily cored castings in the interdendritic Aging of the aunealed wrought structure at
regions, temperatures in the neighborhood of 1300 to 1400
F precipitates the Y"corresponding to Ni 3 (Cb, Mo,
Ti) or Ni 3 (Cb, Mo, Al, Ti). The lattice para-
meter of the precipitated phase is about 0.8
2600 percent larger than
The the lattice
resulting parameter
coherency of the
strains
fcc matrix.

2500-account for most of the strengthening of the alloy.

Aging for long times or at higher temperatures
2400 transforms
Ni3Cb, theis metastable
which Y to the orthorhombic
stable. (1,6',18,19,21l) This is
23001
0 - ,,, -Soh-dus/v discussed further on page 22.Th i
2200 -----
L,. 0 -- - Overaging for, say, 30 hours at 1400 F
S2100-- results in precipitation that produces appreciable
S2000 " +at the grain boundaries. This darkened micro-

CL structure is probably indicative of the N3Cb

1900 precipitation.
1800 Newcomer(2 1 ) examined the ability of
1700 -- various annealing treatments to remove the
1600 effects of overaging at 1400 F. He exposed speci-
mens that had been overaged at 1400 F to 15-
1500 - minute annealing treatments at temperatures from
1500 to 2150 F. The following paragraphs describe
1400 the microstructure s observed.
0 I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
718 Bose The material was received in the mill-
Columbium + Tantolum Content, percent annealed condition. The nmicrostructure showed
equiaxed grains with extensive twinning character-
FIGURE ZZ. PSEUDOBINARY DIAGRAM SHOWING istic of an austenitic matrix. Primary (Cb,Ti)C
THE CONDITIONS FOR FORMING and nitrides were dispersed randomly throughout
LAVES PHASE IN ALLOY 718 AFTER the grain. In addition, at high magnification
100-HR RESIDENCE AT THE (2000X), networks of spherical particles were
INDICATED TEMPERATURE ( After visible that seem to outline grain boundaries from
Eiselstein)( 6 ) a prior structure.
 155

-7 IZ~~"-~?
6P
..

1 15521 414 X

lOOX a. 500X b. b0OX a. 500X b.

FIGURE 23. TRANSVERSE CROSS SECTION OF FIGURE 24. LONGITUDINAL CROSS SECTION
ALLOY 718 BAR OF ALLOY 718 BAR.

Etched with 92HC1:5H-.50 4 :3HN0 3 Etched with 92HCl:5HZS0 4 :3HN0 3 .

(Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing.) (Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing-)

v~ f ý tý __ ,

all 4 -

V, -zJ.

bOX ~~~ .IOX ~ ~ ae0Ma 0X b

CROS SECTON OF
FIGURE25. TANSVERE FIGURE26. TaNVRECOSETINF
ALY 78BRANAE TALO 1 A NELDA

0ool aarate of10bh o15 . Hol atX cola a.e of0 o15 b0h
.Hoda

1150e Ffoi8hrHcI52ool3N.
air twohe
The scewls110 tfrhr HcIeol
ai2 The03
twTshedue

give similar results. give similar results.

(Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing.) (Re~duced approximately 21 percent in printing.)

 16
This struc..re wa..s aged at 1400 for 30 the ca'.• aterLal.
,ith Angular dispersed par-
and then annealed at 1500 F, which rem oved Shours
ticles of (Ti,Cb)(C ,N) were found. These were
some of the darkening from the grain and ain, lop- tnn-affe.,d by, t-e.atutrce up, to 2•50 F.
erated some of the grain-boundary phase. Anneal- riting work by Eiselstein and
ing at 1600 F removed most of the darkening effect Radavich, suggests that the carbides and nitrides
and produced some extremely coarse agglomeration are separate, and that one phase consists of C1G
of Ni 3 Cb at the grain boundaries. Annealing at with some titanium substituted for the columbitux,
1700 and 1800 F produced m~crostructures similar and the ocher phase is T;N. Kaufman also identi-
to that observed in the mill-annealed material. fied a Cx7y, 3 carbide phase. but indicated that it
An appreciable amount of coarse Ni 3 Cb was visible might be associated with the FeZ(Ti,Cb) type of
at the grain boundaries, but the size and amount precipitate. It dissolved at temperatures between
was less after the 1800 F treatment than after i500 and u17,00 1-
1700 F. The coarse grain-boundary precipitate
was eliminated by the 1900 F anneal, though Figures 27a-27j show the microstructures
networks of small particles, the (Cb,Ti)C, and seen at 150OX in annealed hot-rolled rod aged at
22
some TiN were still visible. After the 2000 and various temperatures.( ) The specimens were
2100 F anneals all phases except the (Cb, Ti)C annealed at 2200 F for 1 hour and cooled to the
and the TiN had disappeared. Also, considerable aging temperature, held 4 hours and water
grain growth had occurred. (Subsequent aging quenched.
precipitated a phase at the grain boundaries,
which could be the same as the networks observed At the ISOOX magnification of the micro-
in the mill-annealed material.) Annealing at graphs in Figure 27 no y' has beer. resolved.
2150 F seems to have dissolved some of the Figure 27g.which shows the structure obtained
(Cb, Ti)C and during aging reprecipitated it as after the 1400 F treatment, shows a great deal of
films along the grain boundaries or twin planes, precipitate. Accordingly, it is instructive to
view a similar structure at higher magnifications.

The effect of annealing temperature on the Figure 28 is an electron micrograph of such a

grain size was found tc be as follows: structure at 10,OOOX. The y' has been resolved
and seems to be in the form of platelets. Many
Annealing Average of the platelets have been cut on edge, but many
Temperature, F Grain Size, mm can be seen as round dots. Close examination
shows them to be oriented along definite planes.
1900 and below 0. 025-0. 035 Figure 29 shows a somewhat coarser y' a-d at
higher magnification. The orientation pattern is
2000 0. 120 quite evident in this specimen.

2100 0. 150 In the grain boundaries shown in Figure 28,

the (Cb, Ti)C is seen. This is a grain-boundary
2150 0.150-0.200 film. In Figure 29, the film had adhered to the
replica, and its filmy nature has been emphasized.
Aging of annealed wrought Allry 718 has
been studied by Kaufman and Palty, (l Figure 30 shows an electron micrograph
Eislstein, (6,-) and Barker. 18) In Kaufman of the structuie obtained after the 1600 F treat-
18
and Palty's study, sheet material was annealed ment.( ) A few carbide3 remain in the grain
for 2 hours at 2Z50 F, ice-brine quenched and boundaries, but the matrix precipitates ha-re been
aged as follows: dissolved.

Temperature, F Time, hours The effects of long-time aging on the

microstructure are illustrated in Figures 31-33.(6)
1300 100 The specimens shown here were solution treated
1400 100 at 2100 F (rather than the 2200 F treatment used
1500 100 for the specimen of Figures 27-29). After being
1700 48 quenched in water they were heated to 1500, 1600,
1850 24 and 1700 F for 100 hours. The specimen treated
2000 6 at 1500 F (Figure 31) shows blocky or globular
carbides and a heavy precipitate throughout the
As mentioned in connection with Figure 21, grain, whi th might be y', or, since it is overaged,
it seems that grain-boundary melting has occurree' Ni Cb. Treatment for 100 hours at 1600 F (Figure
in the 2250 F annealing treatment. Thie might 32ýproduced an extraordinary Widmtnstatten
have influenced some of the microstructures and pattern of needles identified as Ni 3 Cb. A back-
phases found in the aged structurer. They report- grour~d precipitate is also seen. In Figure 33,
ed that the major strengthening phase is orthorhom- the scructure obtained after 100 hours at 1700 F
bic Ni 3 Cb, though it is recognized now that this is shows an agglomerated phase in addition to the
the overaged, stable phase. In addition, Fez(Ti,Cb) Ni 3 Cb needles. The agglomerated phase has been
was found, as discussed prevw4.ousl7 in connection identified as Laves. As discussed earlier, in
 4 7 'I

•
.. , 0

/ •

,
o

-. * ,

o ";
-- I -.

I -- .I"• ' *- ..

I U

C)- I .-
•~ -,

N•
\ *- , *;..4
z\

" • '.,
" •, .o
".: 4
0* *,
0
 A4 gi. .

'I 4

10,000 X J7,50OX

FIGURE 28. ALLOY 718 ANNEALED AT 2200 F FIGURE 29. ALLOY 718 ANNEALED AT 2200 F
FOR 1 HR, COOLED TO 1400 F, FOR 1 H'y., COOLED TO 1400 F,
HELD 4 HR AND WATER HELD 4 HR AND WATER
QUENCHED(?-?) QUENCHED( 6 )
(Redu~ced approximately 20 percent in printing.) (Reduced approximately 2C percent in printing.)

-v ~r %A,
.'v

V ~

FIUE3.ALY78ANAE4T20
IUE3. ALLO 718 ANEAE AT 2100 F

FOR I HR, COOLED TO 1600 F, FOR 1 HR, WATER QUENCHED;

HELD 4 HR AND WATER AGED FOR 100 HR AT 1530 F,
QUENCHED( 18) AIR COOLED( 6 )

(Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing.) (Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing.)

 N

-!

'R N)

""Asulon 1300F 1400F 1500F 1700F 1850F

Treated IOOHR IOOHR IOOHR 48 HR 24HR

FIGURE 34. PHASES IN ALLOY 718 SOLUTION

I!' /TREATED AT 2250 F AND AGED
,,AS INDICATED(19)

• / 6 -•-/"7Microstructures Obtained from Typical

1000X 5% Chromic Acid Etch Heat Treatments and Service Conditions

FIGURE 32. ALLOY 718 ANNEALED AT Z100 F Figures 35 and 36 are electron micrographs
FOR 1 HR, WATER QUENCHED; obtained from two different heat treatments. (%8)
AGED FOR 100 FIR AT 1600 F, AIR
COOLED(6) Figures 37-39 show the structures obtained
after long-time relaxation tests at 1300 F and
(Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing.) 50,000-psi initial stress. The specimens,
annealed at different temperatures, all show over-
aged gamma prime in the background, M 6 C in the
grain boundaries, and a few indications of ortho-
rhombic Ni 3 Cb needles. No Laves phase was
- cdetected.

/ /Finally, / , Figure 40 shows an electron

0/ micrograph of a stress-rupture specimen that had
tested
)been for 5,470.7 hr at 1350 F and I10,000
figure, whichi further illustrates the com-rplexity ,
"ofthe alloy. ."

1000X 5% Chromic Acid Etch

FIGURE 33. AZLOY 718 ANNEALED AT 2100 F

FOR 1 HR, WATER QUENCHED;
AGED FOR 100 HR AT 1700 F, AIR
COOLED( 6)

(Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing.)

connection with Laves phases of the A 2 B type, it

seems that long exposure to relatively high tem-
peratures can promote the formation of this FIGURE 35. WROUGHT ALLOY 718 ANNEALED
compound. AT 1700 F, 1 HR, AIR COOLED;
AGED AT 1325 F, 16 HR, AIR
As Figure 34 show s, Kaufman and Palty( 1 9 ) COOLED(1 8 )
found the phase after 48 hours at 1700 F and after
24 hours at 1850 F. (Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing.)
 20

~/

ýo

500OX 1 00OX Chromic Acid Etch

FIGURE 36. WROUGHT ALLOY 718 ANNEALED FIGURE 37. ALLOY 718 AFTER RELAXATION
AT 1700 F, 1 HR, AIR COOLED; TESTS AT 1300 F AND 50,000-PSI
AGED FOR 16 HR AT 1325 F, AIR INITIAL STRESS FOR 1272 HR( 6 )
COOLED; AGED AT 1200 F FOR (Heat treatment: annealed for 1 hr at 1800 F,
200 HP., AIR COOLED( 1 8 ) water quenched; aged at 1325 F for 16 hr,
(Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing.) air cooled.)
(Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing.)

S. ...- . .; r.,? .:• 7--

) 7

' t

"~ -

100OX Chromic Acid Etch IO00X Chromic Acid Etch

FIGURE 38. ALLOY 718 AFTER RELAXATION FIGURE 39. ALLOY 718 AFTER RELAXATION
TESTS AT 1325 F AND 50,000-PSI TESTS AT 1325 F AND 50. 000-PSI
INITIAL STRPESS FOR 1151 HR( 6 ) INITIAL STRESS FOR 1583 HR( 6 )

(Heat treatment: annealed for I hr at 1900 F, (Heat treatment: annealed for I hr at 2000 F,
water quench,'d; aged at 1325 F for 16 hr, air water quenched; aged at 1325 F for 16 h.-, air
cooled.) cooled.)

(Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing.) (Reduced approximately 20 percent in printing.)

_._
 -, k_

TESTED AT 1350 F, 10,000-PSI STRESS FOR

FIGjURE 40. ALLOY 7186 STE,,ESS-RUPTURE SPECIMEN
5470.7 HR( )
Reduced
quenched; aged at 1325 F, 16 hr. air cooled.
(Hfeat treatment- annealed at 1700 F, I hr, water 20 percent in printing.)
approximately
 • I •=,,• • - I- \•o • = • •

i.

22
STRENGTHENING MECHANISM
TABLE 4. STACKING ARRANGEMENTS IN CLOSE- 3 2 4
The crystallographic nature of the gamma PACKED ORDERED A3 B STRUCTURES(" ' )
prime (y') constituent, and its role in strengthen- -

ing Alloy 718, have been studied recently by Structure Nickel Layer Stacking
2 3 Type Compound Type Sequence
Cometto.( ) The following summarizes his find-
ing s. Cu 3 Au Ni 3Al A abcabc...

Gamma prime, as its name implies, is Ni 3 T2 Ni 3 Ti A abacabac...

similar in many ways to the face-centered cubic
matrix (y) from which it forms. The only differ- Cd 3Mg -- A abab...
ence, in fact, is that y' more nearly approaches Al 3Pu -- A abcacbabcacb...
the stoichionietric ratio A 3 B, resulting in order-
ing of the atomic pusitions and a slight distortion Cu 3 Ti Ni 3 Cb B abab*
of the lattice. A13Ti Ni 3V B abcdef*...

The A 3 B-type intermetallic compounds can * Neglects slight distortion.

be classified according to the way the atoms are
ordered. Figure 41 shows the two ways that close- it was found that Alloy 718 precipitates a
packed planes can order so that each B-atom metastable y' phase based on the Ni 3 Cb composi-
(black) has 6 A-atom (white) nearest neighbors. tion, but with a body-centered tetxagonal Ni 3 V
structure. Upon aging at 1400 F for 10 hours, fur-
nace cooling at 100°/hr to 1200 F, holding 8 hours
and air cooling, the lattice constants of the y'
were found to be

a0 = 3. 624;,
co=7.406A
2oc
.044

Both the metastable Ni 3 Cb gamma prime

and the orthorhombic Ni 3 Cb are made up of Type B
layers, though apparently differing in stacking
Type A Layer Type B Layer sequence. The transformation to y' occurs by a
simple rearrangement of atoms on existing lattice
FIGURE 41. CLOSE-PACKED ORDERED LAYERS sites, and occurs rapidly and uniformly because it
2 4
IN A 3 B PHASES (After Nevitt)( ) is not necessary to nucleate a new lattice. The
lattice relationship between the y' precipitate and
the parent y matrix was found to be:
The Type A layers can occur in four differ- [001) , 11<001> a
ent stacking sequences, and Type B layers in two [and (10kIl00_y]
different stacking sequences, giving six different
crystal structures or families of compounds. The individual y' particles are disc shaped (see
Table 4 shows these compounds ard the corres- Figure 3Z) and lie on the [100) matrix planes. The
ponding nickel intermetallic compounds. CO axis of the y' structure is perpendicular to the
plane of the discs. This relationship results in
The atoms of the N3AI and N3V compounds three orientations (Figures Z8 and 29) of Y' particles
occupy essentially the sane lattice sites as the delineating three (1003-type gamma planes.

atoms in the gamma solid solution. However,

during the formation of Y', the atoms order on Cometto's analysis has shed considerable
available sites in such a manner as to eliminate light on the y' strengthening mechanism in Alloy
Al-Al or V-V nearest neighbors. Such a reaction 718. It can be used to explain why the double-aging
(called an "exchange transformation") is charac- treatment results in higher strength than the single
terized by a rapid and uniform nucleation. On the aging. Apparently, to get maximum strengthening,
other hand, compounds such as Ni 3 Ti(hexagonal it is necessary to precipitate as much y' as possible,

structure) and Ni 3 Cb (orthorhombic Cu 3 Ti struc- without overaging; that is, without transforming from
ture) require a complete rearrangement of atom the body-centered tetragonal y' to the orthorhombic
sites as well as composition changes in order to Ni 3 Cb. High temperatures and long times favor
precipitate from a face-centered cubic matrix, the latter. Eiselstein( 6 ) has plotted the conditions
Accordingly, this transformation is much more for forming y' and Ni 3 Cb as an isothermal trans-
difficult to nucleate than an exchange transforma- formation diagram. This is shown in Figure 42,
tion. with the double-aging treatment superimposed.
 "7-.-

SZ~3
(6) Ejeelatein, H. L. a~
-jkný

SHardened Nickel-Chromium-Iron Alloy", paper

1800e presented at American Society of Testing and
start Materials Meeting, Atlantic City, New Jer-
1600- sey, June 24, 1963.
(7) Data and curves obtained through the cour-
1400 Double-aging treatment tesy of H. L. Eiselstrin, International Nickel
CI Co., Huntington, West Virginia (September,
1•200- 1964).
1000 (8) Aeronautical Material Specification AMS
5596A. Alloy Sheet, Strip, and Plate, Corro-
sion and Heat Resistant Nickel-Base-19Cr-
Boo 3. lMo-5. 2(Cb+Ta)-O. 90Ti-O. 60A1 Consuma-
0.1 I 10 00 ble Electrode or Vacuum Induction Melted,
Aging Time, hours Annealed., Society of Automotive Engineers,
FIGURE 42. ISOTHERMAL-TRANSFORMATION 485 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York
DIAGRAM FOR GAMMA PRIME (y') AND (Revised June 30, 1964).
Ni 3 Cb PHASES IN ALLOY 718; WITIH DOUBLE-
AGING TREATMENT SUPERIMPOSED (9) Aerojet-General Corporation Material Specifi-
(After Eiselstein)(6 ) cation AGC-44152, Nickel Base Alloy, Corro-
sion and Heat Resistant, Vacuum Melted
(l9Cr-5Cb-3Mo-Ti-Al) Sheet and Plate
From Figure 42, it is seen that the treat- (October 17, 1963).
ment at 1325 F (or 1325-1425 F) would bring down
maximum amounts of Y'. To be certain that no (10) Rocketdyne Division of North American Avia-
Ni 3 Cb forms, the aging temperature is lowered to tion, Inc., Material Specification RB 0170-101,
1150-1200 F, which continues to precipitate yl' with- Alloy Bar, Forgings, Forging Stock, and
out transforming to the orthorhombic Ni 3 Cb. Flash Butt Welded Rings: Corrosion and Heat
Resistant: Nickel Base 19Cr, 3.OMo, 5. ZSCb,
This explanation, though no doubt simpli- I. OTi, 0.55AI, 18Fe, Consumable Electrode
lied, helps in understarning the relationships be- Melted (March 4, 1965).
tween heat treatment, properties, and micro-
structure. It does not take into account, however, (11) Rocketdyne Division of North American Avia-
the carbides, Laves phases, or variations in the tion, Inc., Material Specification RB 0170-039,
diagram produced by chemical composition varia- Alloy Sheet, Strip, and Plate; Corrosion and
tions. Clearly, more investigation of these corn- Heat Resistant; Nickel Base 18Cr, 18Fe, 5Cb,
plex interactions needs to be carried out before a 3Mo, 0. 8Ti, 0. 6A1 (November 20, 1962)
full understanding can be obtained. (Replaced by RB 0170-101).

(12) General Electric Co., Large Jet Engine Dept.,

REFERENCES Material Specification B50T69-S6, Inconel
718 (December 29, 1964).
(1) Barker, J. F., "A Superalloy for Medium
Temperatures", Metal Prog. , 81 (5), 7Z-76 (13) General Electric Co. , Large Jet Engine Dept.,
(May, 1962). Material Specification C50T79(Sl), Inconel
Alloy 718 Forged Parts (October 17, 1962).
(2) Basic Data - Inconel 718 - International Nickel
Co., Huntington Alloy Products Division, (14) Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Division of United
Huntington, West Virginia (1960). Aircraft Corporation, Specification PWA
1009-C, Alloy, Corrosion and Heat Resistant
(3) Preliminary information, General Electric Nickel Base- 19Cr-18. 7 Fe-5.3(Cb+Ta)-3Mo-
Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, under an Air 0. 9Ti-0. 6A1, Consumable Electrode or Vacuum
Force contract. Induction Melted - Solution Treated (Revised
January 5, 1965).
(4) Current Data Report - Inconel Alloy 718 -
International Nickel Co., Huntington Alloy (15) AiResearch Manufacturing Company, Engineer'-
Products Division, Huntington, West Virginia ing Material Specification EMS 581c, Alloy,
(May, 1961). Corrosion and Heat Resistant, Nickel Base-
l8Cr-l8Fe-5Cb-3Mo-0. 8Ti-0. 4AI (Inconel
(5) "Lescalloy 718 Vac Arc - Property Data", 718), Consumable Electrode or Vacuum
Latrobe Steel Company, Latrobe, Pennsylvania Induction Melted, Annealed (January 6,
(August, 1962). 1965).
 I 4-1

* IAý

W1ZWUel, R. E.. and, Rcxaa,,n, j., "Effect of (21) Newcomer, R. , "•ffect oi Various Annealing -
Cooling Rate from Solution Temperature on Cycles on Inconel 718 Microstructure", Final
~ - Ino ~£~ , VL.jjV""CLL M1rUA7CLLL IjULjJU ZC

North American Aviation, Inc., Report tion, St. Louis, Missouri, under Air Force
TFD 60-218 (March 14, 1960). Contract AF 33(657)-11215 (December 12,
1962).
(17) Private communication between R. J. Runck
(DMIC) and Real Balthazar, Beech Aircraft (22) Private communication between H. J. Wagner
Corporation, Boulder, Colorado (March 25, and H. L. Eiselstein, International Nickel
1964). Co., Huntington, West Virginia (September,
1964).
(18) Barker, J. F. , "Inconel 718 Phase Study Re-
view", DM 61-183, General Electric Co., (23) Private communication between H. J. Wagner
Large Jet Engine Division (July 6, 1961). and Dr. J. Cometto, International Nickel Co.,
Based on unpublished work by M. Kaufman, Huntington, West Virginia (September, 1964).
H. L. Eiselstein, J. Radavich, and R. R.
DeWitt. (24) Nevitt, M. V., "Alloy Chemistry of Transi-
tion Elements", Electronic Structure and Alloy
(19) Kaufn-kn, M. , and Palty, A. E., "Phase Chemistry of the Transition Elements, Inter-
Structh e of Inconel 718 and 702 Alloys", science Publishers, New York, London, p 169
Trans. AIME, 221, pp 1253-1262 (1961). (1963).

(20) "Stress Corrosion Testing, Tenlsile Testing,

and Metallographic Examination of Inconel
718", MPR 3-251-399, Internal Letter to
W. S. Cherin, North American Aviation, Inc. ,
Canoga Park, California kDecernber 12, 1963).

/7

%I
 X V

44

{- LIST OF DMIC TECHNICAL REPORTS ISSUED

DEFENSE METALS INFORMATION CENTER
Battelle Memorial Insgtitute
Columbus, Ohio 43Z01

Copies of the technical reports listed below may be obtained, while the supply lasts, from DMIC
at no cost by Government agencies, and by Government contractors, subcontractors, and their suppliers.
Qualified requestors .nay also order copies of this report from the Defense Documentation Center (DDC)
Cameron Station, Building 5, 5010 Duke Street , Alexandria, Virginia 22314. A complete listing of
previously issued DMIC reports may be obtained by writing DMIC.

DMIC
Numbe r Title

C15 Thin-Sheet Rolling, Report ol an Informal Symposium of the Metalworking Processes and
Equipment Program (MPEP), May 17, 1965
Zi6 Corrosion of Materials by Ethylene Glycol-Water,
r0, May 1965

CamronStaion
510 ukeStretAlxanria
Buldig , Vigina 231. Acomlet litin o
 Unclassi-fed
SIcurity Classification
DOCUMENT CONTROL DATA- R&D
(Security classification of title, body of abstrac and indexing annotation must be entered when the overall report Is classified)
I. ORIGINATING ACTIVITY (Corporate author) 2a. REPORT SECURITY C LAS3ICATION
Defense Metals Information Center Unclassified
Battelle Memorial Institute 2b• GROUP
Columbus, Ohio 43201
3. REPORT TITLE

Physical Metallurgy of Alloy 718

4. DESCRIPTIVE NOTES (Type of report and Incluelve date*)

DMIC Report
S. AUTHOR(S, (Last name, first name, initial)

Wagner, H. J., and Hall, A. M.

6. REPORT DATE 78. TOTAL NO. OF PAGES |7b. NO. OF REFS

June 1, 1965 25 24
Sea. CONTRACT OR GRANT NO. 9a. ORIGINATOR'S REPORT NUMBER(S)
F 33(615)-1121
b PROJECT NO. DMIC Report 217
B975
C. 9b. OTHER REPORT NO(S) (Any other numbers that may be assigned
this report)

d.
Copies of this report may be obtained, while the supply
10. AVAILABILITY/LIMITATION NOTICES

lasts, from DMIC at no cost by Government agencies, contractors, subcontractors, and

their suppliers. Qualified requestors may also obtain copies of this report from th
Defense Documentation Center (DDC). Alexandria, Virainia 22314,
II- SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 12. SPONSORING MILITARY ACTIVITY
United States Air Focce
Research and Technology Division
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 4543
13. ABSTRACT
This report deals with the physical metallurgy
of Alloy 718. Since
klloy 718 was first introduced, it has broadened its areas of application. Pri-
-narily, it was intended for use at medium temperatures, 1300 F at most, its main
pplications being in lightweight welded frames and other assemblies in aircraft
urbojet engines. Its good properties in the range of temperatures from -423 to
1300 F make it especially suitable for use in the LOX-LH 4 rocket engines. In these
-ppiiuaLiofi5, Alloy 718 is used for the fuel/oxidizer injector plates, forged rings,
thrust chamber jackets, turbine wheels, belliws, and tubing. This report paesents
information on the effect of composition and heat treatment on mechanical properties;
trends in specifications for Alloy '718; microstructure and microconstituents of the
alloy and the strengthening mechanism. No attempt has been made to present a
omplete compilation of design properties in this report.

DD IJAN64 1473 Unclassified

Secudty Classification
 'V4

I --

Unclassified

"4. K" ' LINK A LINK 9 LINK C

KEY WOROS .. oL WT WT -OL

Physical Metallurgy 8 3
Microstructure 8 3
Strengthening Mechanism 8 3
Alloy 718 8,9 3 9 3
Frames 4 3
Engine s 4 3
Aircraft U
Turbojet 0
Rocket 0
LOX-LI 2 0
Injector plates 4
Forged rings 4 3
Thrust chamber jackets 4 3
Turbine wheels 4 5
Bellows 4 3
Tubing 4 3
Composition 6 3
Heat treatment 6 3
Mechanical properties 7 3

Specification 8

11

I
I
Unclassified
Security Classification