Three-dimensional Phase-field simulation of γ″ precipitation kinetics in Inconel 625 during heat treatment

Metastable γ″ (D0₂₂-Ni₃Nb) particles are strengthening precipitates for commercial Inconel 625 Ni-based superalloy. Understanding their morphological evolution is critical for evaluating its hardening effects and guiding heat treatments to improve its yield strength. Here we present a phase-field model to model and analyze the nucleation and growth kinetics of metastable γ″ in Inconel 625 during isothermal and non-isothermal aging conditions with thermodynamic properties, diffusion coefficients, and misfit strain data from both the literature and calibration to experimental results. We implemented the classical nucleation theory to introduce local nucleation taking into account local supersaturation. The simulated mean particle length and aspect ratio are in agreement with experimental data at 600 °C and 650 °C during isothermal aging. Utilizing the phase-field simulation results as input parameters, the coherency strengthening effect of γ″ as a function of aging temperature and time is predicted. A multistage aging strategy to optimize the γ″ strengthening effect and to reduce aging times using the developed phase-field model and coherency strengthening model is suggested.