Effect of Heat Treatment Parameters on the Microstructure and Properties of Inconel-625 Superalloy

Inconel-625 is a solid solution-strengthened alloy used for long-duration applications at high temperatures and moderate stresses. Different heat treatment cycles (temperatures of 625-1025 °C and time of 2-6 h) have been studied to obtain optimum mechanical properties suitable for a specific application. It has been observed that room temperature strength and, hardness decreased and ductility increased with increase in heat treatment temperature. The rate of change of these properties is found to be moderate for the samples heat-treated up to 850 °C, and thereafter, it increases rapidly. It is attributed to the microstructural changes like dissolution of carbides, recrystallization and grain growth. Microstructures are found to be predominantly single-phase austenitic with the presence of fine alloy carbides. The presence of twins is observed in samples heat-treated at lower temperature, which act as nucleation sites for recrystallization at 775 °C. Beyond 850 °C, the role of carbides present in the matrix is subsided by the coarsening of recrystallized grains and finally at 1025 °C, significant dissolution of carbide results in substantial reduction in strength and increase in ductility. Elongation to an extent of >71% has been obtained in sample heat-treated at 1025 °C indicating excellent tendency for cold workability. Failure of heat-treated specimens is found to be mainly due to carbide particle-matrix decohesion which acts as locations for crack initiation.