On the Rapid Assessment of Mechanical Behavior of a Prototype Nickel-Based Superalloy using Small-Scale Testing

An electro-thermal mechanical testing (ETMT) system is used to assess the mechanical behavior of a prototype single-crystal superalloy suitable for industrial gas turbine applications. Miniaturized testpieces of a few mm 2 cross section are used, allowing relatively small volumes to be tested. Novel methods involving temperature ramping and stress relaxation are employed, with the quantitative data measured and then compared to conventional methods. Advantages and limitations of the ETMT system are identified; particularly for the rapid assessment of prototype alloys prior to scale-up to pilot-scale quantities, it is concluded that some significant benefits emerge.