Determining volume fractions of γ, γ′, γ, δ, and MC-carbide phases in Inconel 718 as a function of its processing history using an advanced neutron diffraction procedure

In this work, quantitative crystallographic and microstructural analyses of gamma, gamma', gamma '', delta, and MC carbide phases are performed on wrought samples, samples fabricated via additive manufacturing (AM), and samples that underwent hot isostatic pressing (HIP) after AM of alloy Inconel 718 (IN718). In doing so, an advanced neutron diffraction-based procedure is developed facilitating the determination of volume fractions of every detectable phase in the alloy. To supplement the diffraction procedure, precipitate sizes are measured by scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, semi-quantitative elemental analyses are performed by energy dispersive spectroscopy. Finally, image thresholding is carried out on micrographs of samples that underwent cathodic dissolution to create secondary electron contrast between phases to verify the phase fractions determined from the neutron diffraction datasets. The study reveals a significantly higher volume fraction of d phase and a significantly lower volume fraction of gamma '' phase governing a higher strength of the AM material relative to the lower strength AM + HIP and wrought materials. Furthermore, gamma' and MC volume fractions are found similar in the materials despite the differences in MC morphology, elemental composition and distribution controlling the dispersion strengthening. These results are presented and discussed in this paper along with the procedure developed for determining volume fractions of all detectable phases present in the alloy.