Effect of Yttrium on High Temperature Oxidation Resistance of a Directionally Solidified Superalloy

The effect of rare earth element yttrium on the high temperature oxidation resistance of a directionally solidified Ni-base superalloy was studied with scanning electron microscopy(SEM), energy dispersive spectrum(EDS)and X-ray diffraction(XRD)techniques. The results show that the oxidation resistance of the alloy is substantially improved by adding proper amount of yttrium.