title: Nano-sized precipitate stability and its controlling factors in a NiAl-strengthened ferritic alloy.
abstract: Coherent B2-ordered NiAl-type precipitates have been used to reinforce solid-solution body-centered-cubic iron for high-temperature application in fossil-energy power plants. In this study, we investigate the stability of nano-sized precipitates in a NiAl-strengthened ferritic alloy at 700-950 °C using ultra-small angle X-ray scattering and electron microscopies. Here we show that the coarsening kinetics of NiAl-type precipitates is in excellent agreement with the ripening model in multicomponent alloys. We further demonstrate that the interfacial energy between the matrix and NiAl-type precipitates is strongly dependent on differences in the matrix/precipitate compositions. Our results profile the ripening process in multicomponent alloys by illustrating controlling factors of interfacial energy, diffusivities, and element partitioning. The study provides guidelines to design and develop high-temperature alloys with stable microstructures for long-term service.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
authors.forename: Zhiqian
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
authors.forename: Gian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ilavsky
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
authors.forename: Gautam
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
authors.forename: Peter K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Liaw