Microstructural and microhardness characteristics of induction melted nickel-based alloys

Induction melted Ni-based alloys were fabricated by induction melting with different temperatures. To characterize the microstructure of the induction melted Ni-based alloy, the techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray mapping and wavelength dispersive spectrometer (WDS) were employed. The experimental results show that four morphologies, Ni3Si + Ni3B, γ-Ni + Ni3Si, chromium borides and carbides, can be distinguished in the microstructure at all temperatures. Chromium carbides and borides are the hardest phases, while γ-Ni + Ni3Si is the softest zone.