Microstructural characteristics, deformation behavior and mechanical properties of Inconel 718 treated by Te infiltration

Abstract Element Te has significant effect on the intergranular embrittlement of nickel-based alloys. This paper proposes a new alloy infiltration method to investigate the effect of Te infiltration on nickel-based superalloy Inconel 718. Micro-scratch test was performed to quantitatively assess the effect of Te infiltration on the mechanical properties of Inconel 718. Three-dimensional morphology of scratches was analyzed and the deformation behavior of treated samples was investigated. Te infiltration caused to the delamination phenomenon, where the material properties of each layer were different. The new intercrystalline phase (Cr3Te4) formated at the grain boundary was the main reason for weakening the properties of surface material. The stress reduction was larger than 50% in the infiltration zone. The failure mechanism was explained and the destructive effect of Te on Inconel 718 was utilized.