Microstructure evolution and enhanced creep property of a high Nb containing TiAl alloy with carbon addition

The microstructure evolution and carbide precipitation in a Ti-46Al-8Nb-0.7C alloy as well as its creep properties at intermediate temperatures are investigated by high-energy X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The alloy with a nearly fully lamellar microstructure exhibits excellent creep resistance, which could be attributed to the good microstructural stability and strengthening effects from both P- and H-carbides. It is also found that the creep parameters have different effects on the precipitation of the carbides. The overall volume fraction of the carbides shows a positive correlation with the creep temperature and time. However, the thermal stability of P-carbides in the γ grain interior decreases at a higher creep temperature. The creep stress hardly affects the precipitation and morphology development of the P-carbides. On the contrary, a higher stress can promote the H-carbide formation at the γ/α2 interfaces via α2 lath decomposition in lamellar colonies.