Alumina-forming austenitic (AFA) steel exhibits excellent high-temperature properties and has attracted significant attention in thermal power generation industry. Microstructure evolutions and yield strengths of 20Ni-AFA steel during isothermal aging are investigated. The results show that five types of phases are found in 20Ni-AFA steel during isothermal ageing: NbC, L12-Ni3Al, M23C6, B2-NiAl and Laves phases. Addition of Cu causes precipitation of L12-Ni3Al phase in 20Ni-AFA steel at the early stage of isothermal aging. L12-Ni3Al phase grows and gradually transforms into B2-NiAl phase which possesses a more stable structure with the extension in isothermal aging time. The transformation leads to yield strengths of 20Ni-AFA steel to decrease anomalously during 24-120 h isothermal aging. Yield strengths of 20Ni-AFA steel increase again as isothermal aging time continues to increase.
Novel Co-based superalloys, as potentially ideal aero-engine hot section materials, have a higher temperature bearing capacity and better oxidation resistance than Ni-based superalloys. Coarsening evolution of γ′ phase and failure mechanism of Co-Ni-Al-Ti-based superalloys during the isothermal aging process at 1073 K were investigated using multiple characterizations and testing methods. The results show that γ′ phase is uniformly distributed on the γ phase matrix, and coarsening with the increase in isothermal aging time, which results in a decrease in maximum tensile strength. Furthermore, Mo element is preferred to distribute in γ′ phase and provides stronger solution strengthening effect than Cr element, which determines more excellent mechanical properties of 2Mo superalloy than that of 2Cr superalloy. The coarsening rate of γ′ phase in the 2Cr superalloy is significantly higher than that in the 2Mo superalloy. Grain boundary failure is dominant in isothermal aging,