Experiments and simulations of directionally annealed ODS MA 754

Both directional and isothermal annealing experiments have been performed on the hot-rolled ODS nickel-based superalloy MA 754. Directional annealing of MA 754 produced an elongated, coarse grain structure with a {1 1 0}〈1 0 0〉 texture for all hot-zone velocities examined, with the grain aspect ratio and twin boundary density decreasing with increasing hot-zone velocity. Isothermal annealing also produced elongated structures, but with larger grain aspect ratios and a stronger {1 1 0}〈1 0 0〉 texture. In order to elucidate the results of the experimental studies, a front-tracking computer-based model [H.J. Frost, C.V. Thompson, C.L. Howe, J.H. Whang, Scripta Metall. 22 (1988) 65–70] was modified to simulate the directional/isothermal annealing processes for materials with particles. Simulations of directional annealing with particles aligned in the direction of hot-zone movement could produce (at the appropriate hot-zone velocities) columnar grain structures with some finer grains clustered around the particles. Contrary to experimental observations, simulations of isothermal annealing in similar particle-containing material did not produce columnar grain structures, but equi-axed grains whose size was defined by the spacing between the lines of particles. Thus, the simulation results suggest that it is the texture, and not the particles, of the hot-rolled MA 754 that leads to a columnar grain structure.