3D Minimum Channel Width Distribution in a Ni-Base Superalloy

Abstract The strength of a Ni-base superalloy depends strongly on its microstructure consisting cuboidal $${\gamma }^{^{\prime}}$$ γ ′ precipitates surrounded by narrow channels $$\gamma $$ matrix. According to the theory Orowan, moving dislocation has crimp through minimal inter-precipitate spacing admit plastic deformation. We present novel approach evaluate matrix channel width distribution matrix/ in binary representation. Our method relies precise determination matrix/precipitate interfaces and requires no additional user input. For each between two neighboring precipitates, we identify interface distance vector with length being width. performance this is demonstrated example commercial alloy CSMX-4. show that, contrast conventional line sectioning approaches, consistently handles experimental 2D micrographs 3D phase-field simulation data. identified vectors correlate underlying crystal symmetry independent image orientation. obtained distributions compare well This terms similar median $$\sigma σ log-normal distribution. presented overcomes limitations slicing approaches provides versatile tool for automated characterization.