Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of GH4698 Alloy under Cold Rolling Deformation

TAN Longxian; YANG Jianbing; JI Xuanming; TAN Yuanbiao; XIANG Song

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.10.020

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Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (10) : 199-208. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.10.020

Superalloy Forming

Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of GH4698 Alloy under Cold Rolling Deformation

TAN Longxian, YANG Jianbing, JI Xuanming, TAN Yuanbiao, XIANG Song^*

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Abstract

The work aims to clarify the microstructural evolution of the GH4698 nickel-based wrought superalloy during cold processing and its influence on mechanical properties, as well as to elucidate the intrinsic mechanisms underlying the changes in strength and ductility under different cold-rolling strains. The microstructural features and mechanical properties of the alloy were systematically investigated under cold-rolling strains of 30%, 50%, and 70%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to characterize grain morphology, crystallographic orientation, and dislocation structures, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to analyze the phase composition. Mechanical performance was evaluated by microhardness testing and room-temperature tensile experiments. With increasing cold-rolling strain, grains were elongated markedly along the rolling direction, the texture strength increased, and the fraction of low-angle grain boundaries and dislocation density rose significantly. The alloy maintained a stable FCC single-phase structure throughout the cold-rolling process. High-strain samples exhibited numerous dislocation cells, dislocation tangles, and stacking fault structures, along with grain refinement. Mechanical tests indicated that when the strain increased from 0% to 70%, the hardness increased from 395.8HV (solution-treated state) to 569.1HV, and the tensile strength increased from 872 MPa to 1 767 MPa, whereas elongation decreased significantly. In conclusion, the strength enhancement of the alloy during cold rolling is primarily attributed to significant work hardening induced by the high density of dislocations and defect structures generated during deformation. At the same time, these high-density defects impede dislocation motion, reducing the plastic deformation capacity of the alloy and leading to decreased elongation.

Key words

GH4698 alloy / cold rolling deformation / microstructural evolution / mechanical properties

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TAN Longxian, YANG Jianbing, JI Xuanming, TAN Yuanbiao, XIANG Song. Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of GH4698 Alloy under Cold Rolling Deformation[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2026, 18(10): 199-208 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.10.020

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Funding

The National Natural Science Foundation of China (52474403); Guizhou Province Science and Technology Project ((2023)001, (2025)011, (2025)038); Central Government in Guidance of Local Science and Technology Development Funds ((2024)032)