Dynamic deformation mechanism for distinct flow behaviors in FGH4113A superalloy with high γ′ content during isothermal compression at sub-/near-/super-solvus temperatures

This study examines the flow behavior and deformation mechanism of a FGH4113A superalloy with high γ′ content for different strain rates (0.01–1 s⁻¹) at sub-solvus (1030, 1080 °C), near-solvus (1130 °C), and sup-solvus temperatures (1180 °C). The results indicated that the alloy exhibits four different flow behaviors: rapid softening after reaching peak stress (at 1030–1080 °C), slow softening after reaching peak stress (at 1130–1180 °C/0.1–1 s⁻¹), steady state flow (at 1130 °C/0.01 s⁻¹), and continuous hardening (at 1180 °C/0.01 s⁻¹). The strain rate sensitivity exponent decreases as the flow behavior transforms from dynamic softening to continuous hardening. Moreover, the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) fraction decreases with increasing strain rate at sub-solvus temperatures, where an inverse trend was observed at near- or sup-solvus temperatures. These observations are influenced by the interplay of continuous original grain boundary migration (COBM), DRX, and grain growth. Meanwhile, the primary γ′ phase has different roles under distinct deformation conditions. At sub-solvus temperature, the primary γ′ phase facilitates DRX, grain refinement, and coordinated plastic deformation. At near-solve temperature, the primary γ′ phase predominantly contributes to coordinated plastic deformation. At the sup-solvus temperature, the γ′ phase entirely dissolves, with the grains coarsened by COBM continuously undergoing compressed, exhibiting continuous hardening.