Microstructural effects on the room and elevated temperature low cycle fatigue behavior of Waspaloy

Longitudinal specimens of Waspaloy containing either coarse grains with small gamma or fine grains with large gamma were tested in air at a frequency of 0.33 Hz or 0.50 Hz. The coarse grained structures exhibited planar slip on (III) planes and precipitate shearing at all temperatures. Cracks initiated by a Stage 1 mechanism and propagated by a striation forming mechanism. At 700 C and 800 C, cleavage and intergranular cracking were observed. Testing at 500 C, 700 C, and 800 C caused precipitation of grain boundary carbides. At 700 C, carbides precipitated on slip bands. The fine grained structures exhibited planar slip on (111) planes. Dislocations looped the large gamma precipitates. This structure led to stress saturation and propagation was observed. Increasing temperatures resulted in increased specimen oxidation for both heat treatments. Slip band and grain boundary oxidation were observed. At 800 C, oxidized grain boundaries were cracked by intersecting slip bands which resulted in intergranular failure. The fine specimens had crack initiation later in the fatigue life, but with more rapid propagation crack propagation.