Recent Progress in the Modeling of High-Temperature Creep and Its Application to Alloy Development

摘要

Recent progress in the understanding of high-temperature creep of alloys is discussed in the context of theoretical modeling and its application to alloy development. Emphasis is placed upon those engineering alloys specifically designed for high-temperature applications, such as precipitation and dispersion strengthened (DS) alloys and metal-matrix composites (MMCs). Currently, these theoretical models use one of two different approaches, (a) a phenomenological approach, which is used in such models as those based on the internal stress concept, and those based on empirical creep equations; and (b) micromechanical models that are based on dislocation mechanisms and the interactions of dislocations with solute atoms, second-phase particles, and other reinforcements such as fibers. All these theoretical models have a common goal, namely, the understanding of high-temperature strengthening mechanisms and the relationship between high-temperature strength and the micromechanical mechanisms during high-temperature plastic deformation of the alloys. These theoretical studies can provide information that is useful in alloy design and processing, such as the selection of alloy chemistry, and the optimization of phase microstructural features (e.g., reinforcement amount, shape, size, and distribution; matrix grain size; and matrix and reinforcement interfaces) by optimization of processing methods.