Creep induced precipitation of the (Cr,Mo)5B3-type boride in γ/γ' eutectic of a Ni-based superalloy

Abstract Boron segregation and boride formation at grain boundaries are generally accepted in Ni-based superalloys. However, the addition of boron was found to result in the formation of a high density of nanosized M5B3 (where M is a mixture of Cr, Mo) particles in γ/γ′ eutectics of a Ni-based superalloy during high-temperature creep in this work. M5B3 phase precipitated at γ/γ′ eutectics keeps a well-defined orientation relationship with the eutectics, which is [001]γ/γ′//[001]M5B3, (020)γ/γ′//(130)M5B3. And these nanosized borides could block dislocation slip, result in stress concentration surrounding γ/γ′ eutectics and facilitate crack initiation at γ/γ′ eutectic/matrix interface during the creep at high temperatures.