Abstract
Microstructural evolution of cast Hastelloy X during thermal exposure has been investigated. OM, SEM, and TEM microscopy were carried out on the as-cast, the standard heat treated, and the thermally exposed conditions. Tensile tests were also conducted to understand the effect of microstructural evolution on the degradation of tensile properties. Coarse $M_6C$ and fine $M_{23}C_6$ carbides were found in as-cast Hastelloy X with fine carbides on sub-boundary. Some of $M_{23}C_6$ carbide dissolved into the matrix during solution heat treatment and dislocation network formed at the interface between the carbide and the matrix due to the misfit strain. There was no significant microstructural difference between the exposed specimens at $400^{\circ}C$ and the solution heat treated specimen. A large amount of $M_{23}C_6$ carbides precipitated along and near grain boundaries and sub-boundaries after exposure at $650^{\circ}C$. Exposure at $870^{\circ}C$ of the alloy caused precipitation of $M_6C$ and ${\mu}$. The strength increased and the elongation decreased by thermal exposure at $650^{\circ}C$ and $870^{\circ}C$ because carbides interfere with the movement of the dislocation. It was found that the precipitation of carbide gave significant effects on the tensile properties of Hastelloy X.
