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PUBLICATIONS

Formation of the Ni3Nb delta-phase in stress-relieved Inconel 625 produced via powder-bed laser fusion additive manufacturing

Published

Author(s)

Eric Lass, Mark R. Stoudt, Maureen E. Williams, Michael B. Katz, Thien Q. Phan, Lyle E. Levine, Thomas H. Gnaeupel-Herold

Abstract

The microstructural evolution of laser powder-bed additively manufactured Inconel 625 during a post-build stress-relief anneal of 1 h at 870 °C is investigated. It is found that this industry-recommended heat treatment promotes the formation of a significant fraction of the orthorhombic D0a Ni3Nb delta-phase. This phase is well known to have a deleterious influence on fracture toughness, ductility, and other mechanical properties in conventional, wrought Inconel 625. The delta-phase platelets are found to precipitate within the interdendritic regions of the as-built solidification microstructure. These regions are enriched in solute elements, particularly Nb and Mo, due to the microsegregation that occurs during solidification. The precipitation of delta-phase at 800 °C is found to require up to 4 h. This indicates a potential alternative stress-relief processing window that mitigates delta- phase formation in this alloy. Ultimately, a homogenization heat treatment is recommended for additively manufactured Inconel 625 because the increased susceptibility to delta-phase precipitation increases the possibility for significant degradation of materials properties in service.
Citation
Metallurgical Transactions A-Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science
Volume
48A
Pub Type
Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-017-4304-6

Keywords

Additive manufacturing, Ni-based alloys, Inconel 625
Metals

Citation

Lass, E. , Stoudt, M. , Williams, M. , Katz, M. , Phan, T. , Levine, L. and , T. (2017), Formation of the Ni3Nb delta-phase in stress-relieved Inconel 625 produced via powder-bed laser fusion additive manufacturing, Metallurgical Transactions A-Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science, [online], https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-017-4304-6 (Accessed October 10, 2025)

Issues

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Created August 23, 2017, Updated November 10, 2018
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