Fatigue crack growth in nickel-based alloy 247DS with side-brazed pre-sintered preform

• Fatigue crack growth in nickel-based alloy 247DS with pre-sintered preform (PSP) • Characterization approach for simultaneous crack growth in two different materials • Crack initiation in PSP material and advances ahead of the crack in Alloy 247DS • Specimens with thinner PSP show distinct kink in fatigue crack growth curves • Crack growth influenced by differences in elastic properties and microstructure Pre-sintered preform (PSP) brazing is employed in the repair of gas turbine components made of nickel-based alloys, including restoring the surface and dimensions of turbine blades and vanes. This study investigates the fatigue crack growth (FCG) behavior of Alloy 247DS specimens with side-brazed PSP material, mimicking a typical sandwich structure formed during such repairs. FCG tests were conducted at an elevated temperature of 950 °C and a stress ratio ( R ) of 0.1 on specimens with PSP layer thicknesses of 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, and 4.5 mm to assess the influence of PSP thickness on fatigue crack growth behavior. Fractographic and metallographic analyses were performed to elucidate the underlying crack growth mechanisms and the microstructural characteristics of both materials. The results revealed that a crack consistently initiated in the PSP material, originating from the starter notch, particularly at the specimen corner during the pre-cracking phase. Additionally, crack propagation in the PSP material consistently advanced ahead of the crack in the Alloy 247DS. This crack growth behavior is attributed to the difference in elastic properties and microstructural differences between the PSP and base material. Metallographic analysis revealed the presence of porosity and brittle precipitates within the PSP material, which led to faster intergranular crack growth. Conversely, Alloy 247DS exhibited transgranular crack growth, contributing to the observed crack propagation behavior. This study demonstrates the applicability of standard FCG testing methods and an approach to characterize the FCG behavior in sandwich specimens, where crack growth occurs simultaneously in both materials, providing a preliminary understanding of crack growth behavior in Alloy 247DS with side-brazed PSP.