Structure and thermal cycling stability of a hafnium monocarbide reinforced directionally solidified cobalt-base eutectic alloy

A nominal composition of Co-15Cr-20Ni-10.5Hf-0.7C was directionally solidified at 0.8 cm/hr growth rate to produce aligned HfC in a cobalt matrix alloy. The aligned HfC fibers were present as rod and plate types. The diameter of the aligned fibers was about 1 micron, with volume fraction in the range of 11 to 15 per cent. The growth direction of the fibers was parallel to the 100 direction. The alloy was subjected to thermal cycling between 425 and 1100 C, using a 2.5 minute cycle. No microstructural degradation of the HfC fibers in the alloy was observed after 2500 cycles.