In this study, defects generated in the YSZ coating layer of the IN738LC turbine blade are investigated using an optical microscope and SEM/EDS. The blade YSZ coating layer is composed of a Y-Zr component top coat layer and a Co component bond coat layer. A large amount of Cr/Ni component that diffused from the base is also measured in the bond coat. The blade hot corrosion is concentrated on the surface of the concave part, accompanied by separation of the coating layer due to the concentration of combustion gas collisions here. In the top coating layer of the blade, cracks occur in the vertical and horizontal directions, along with pits in the top coating layer. Combustion gas components such as Na and S are contained inside the pits and cracks, so it is considered that the pits/cracks are caused by the corrosion of the combustion gases. Also, a thermally grown oxide (TGO) layer of several μm thick composed of Al oxide is observed between the top coat and the bond coat, and a similar inner TGO with a thickness of several μm is also observed between the bond coat and the matrix. A PFZ (precipitate free zone) deficient in γ' (Ni3Al) forms as a band around the TGO, in which the Al component is integrated. Although TGO can resist high temperature corrosion of the top coat, it should also be considered that if its shape is irregular and contains pore defects, it may degrade the blade high temperature creep properties. Compositional and microstructural analysis results for hightemperature corrosion and TGO defects in the blade coating layer used at high temperatures are expected to be applied to sound YSZ coating and blade design technology.

The effect of solidification rate on micro-segregation in investment casting of IN738LC superalloy was studied. In Ni-based superalloys, the micro-segregation of solute atoms is formed due to limited diffusion during cast and solidification. The microstructure of cast Ni-based superalloys is largely divided into dendrite core of initial solidification and interdendrite of final solidification. In particular, mosaic shaped eutectic γ/γ’ and carbides are formed in the interdendrite of the final solidification region in some cases. The micro-segregation phenomena formed in regions of dendrite core and interdendrite including eutectic γ/γ’ and carbides were analyzed using OM, SEM/EDS and micro Vickers hardness. As a result of analysis, the lack of (Cr, W) and the accumulation of Ti were measured in the eutectic γ/γ’, and the accumulation of (Cr, Mo) and the lack of Ti were measured in the interdendrite between dendrite and eutectic. Carbides formed in interdendritic region were composed of (Ti, W, Mo, C). The segregation applied to each microstructure is mainly due to the formation of γ’ with Ni3(Al,Ti) composition. The Ni accumulation accompanied by Cr depletion, and the Ti accumulated in the eutectic region as a γ’ forming elements. The Mo tends to diffuse out from the dendrite core to the interdendrite, and the W diffuse out from the interdendrite to the dendrite core. Therefore, the accumulation of Mo in the interdendrite and the deficiency of W occur in the eutectic region located in the interdendrite. Heat treatment makes the degree of the micro-segregation decrease due to the diffusion during solid solution. This study could be applied to the heat treatment technology for the micro-segregation control in cast Ni-based superalloys.

가스터빈 블레이드 재료로 사용되는 IN738LC 니켈기 초합금 주조재에 대하여 고온등압압축(HIP) 공정에 의한 미세조직 변화와 고온 피로수명에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 세부적으로 HIP 처리에 따른 주조결함 제거와 피로변형 열화재의 물성재생효과 확인에 중점을 두었으며, 이를 위하여 회전굽힘 피로시험을 실시하고 변형전후의 미세조직을 광학 및 주사전자현미경으로 관찰하였다. HIP 처리 전후의 미세조직과 피로수명을 비교, 평가한 결과, 주조재와 열처리재의 피로수명 차는 크지 않았으나 HIP 처리재의 피로수명은 이들과 비교하여 평균 60배 이상 증가한 것으로 나타났다. 또한 인위적으로 고온 피로변형을 가한 열화재를 대상으로 반복 HIP 처리한 결과, 열화 변형조직이 신재 상태로 거의 완전히 재생될 뿐만 아니라, 재료내에 미세하게 잔존하던 주조결함까지 부가적으로 제거됨에 따라 반복 HIP 처리에 의한 피로수명 연장 효과가 크게 나타났다.