The effect of thermal cycling on the structure and properties of a Co, Cr, Ni-TaC directionally solidified eutectic composite

A Co, Cr, Ni-TaC directionally solidified eutectic composite was subjected to thermal fatigue between 427-1093°C. The material suffered degradation in microstructure and elevated temperature mechanical properties. The loss in properties varied with the maximum cycling temperature and number of cycles. This behavior is attributed to the increasing solubility of the TaC in the matrix with temperature from 0.4% at room temperature to 2.2% at 1200°C. During the thermal cycling, the TaC is subjected to solution and reprecipitation which form serrations on the fibers since the easy growth planes of the TaC are not coincident with the fiber faces exposed to the matrix.