Abstract
The effect of a heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Inconel 713C alloy vacuum investment castings were investigated. The microstructure of the as-cast state was observed, showing well-developed dendrite structures and distributed carbide particles and solidified massive precipitates in the grain or grain boundary during solidification, in this case the γ′ phase and MC particles. During a heat treatment, the γ phase matrix was reinforced by solid solution elements, carbide particles from the film morphology precipitated along the grain boundary, and many micro-precipitates of second γ′ phases 0.2 ㎛~2 ㎛ in size were newly formed in the γ phase matrix according to SEM-EDS analysis results. The tensile strength at a high temperature (850℃) decreased slightly becoming comparable with the room-temperature result, while the hardness value of the specimen after the vacuum heat treatment increased by approximately 19%, becoming similar to that of the as-cast condition. However, the impact values at room temperature and low temperature (-196℃) were approximated; this alloy was mostly not affected by an impact at a low temperature. In the observations of the fracture surface morphologies of the specimens after the tensile tests, the fractures at room temperature were a mix of brittle and ductile fractures, and an intergranular fracture in the inter-dendrite structure and some dimples in the matrix were observed, whereas the fractures at high temperatures were ductile fractures, with many dimples arising due to precipitation. It was found that a reinforced matrix and precipitates of carbide and the γ′ phase due to the heat treatment had significant effects, contributing greatly to the excellent mechanical properties.