Effect of Cr Twinning in Ni-Based Superalloys

Micro-twinning is the major creep deformation mechanism in Ni-based superalloys at temperatures above 700 °C. Recent experiments indicate that formation and extension of micro-twins is reliant on the segregation of gamma phase formers (e.g., Co and Cr) along the twin interface in gamma prime phase. In this study we use molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the effect of site preference of Cr in Ni3Al gamma prime phase on deformation twinning. We demonstrate that, depending on the site preference (Cr on Ni sites, or Cr on Al sites), two drastically different deformation behaviors can be expected.