High temperature oxidation behaviour of directionally solidified nickel base superalloy CM–247LC

The present paper describes the isothermal and cyclic oxidation behaviour of the technologically important nickel base directionally solidified superalloy CM-247LC in air in the temperature range 1000-1200°C. This superalloy behaves as a transition nickel base alloy under isothermal oxidation conditions and exhibits a fairly long transient oxidation period (∼20 h at 1100°C). Irrespective of the temperature of exposure and nature of oxidation (isothermal or cyclic), a composite oxide scale develops on CM-247LC. While the outer portion of the oxide scale consists of either spinel (NiAl₂O₄) or a mixture of spinel and NiO, depending on oxidation temperature, the inner portion is always constituted of alumina. Beyond the transient period, the alloy is found to follow parabolic oxidation kinetics. The oxide layer that forms is invariably very non-uniform in thickness, and is dispersed with two types of oxide particles. While tantalum rich oxide particles are found scattered in the outer zone of the oxide layer, hafnium rich oxide particles lie close to the oxide/metal interface. Results also reveal that the nature of oxidation associated with the CM-247LC superalloy causes entrapment of metal islands in the oxide layer.