David Bürger¹, Alireza Basir Parsa¹, Markus Ramsperger², Carolin Körner³, Gunther Eggeler¹; ¹Ruhr-Universität Bochum, ²GE Additive, ³Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen Nürnberg

Recently, it was shown that selective electron beam melting (SEBM) can be used to manufacture single crystal Ni-base superalloys (SXs). SEBM represents a powder bed additive manufacturing near net-shape processing technology, which is characterized by high solidification rates and high thermal gradients. In the present work, the microstructural and creep properties of SX SEBM and conventionally cast materials are compared. The cast material which was produced in a Bridgman process serves as reference state and was homogenized by a typical multiple step heat treatment to establish a fine γ/γ’-microstructure. The SEBM material was investigated in its as-built state, and after an additional homogenization heat treatment. The evolution of the microstructures of the two materials during processing and heat treatment is compared. Creep test with [001] tensile miniature specimen are performed in two stress / temperature regimes (1050 °C, 160 MPa and 850°C, 600 MPa).