Microstructure and mechanical properties of a cast heat-resistant rare-earth magnesium alloy

Microstructure,mechanical properties and phase transformation of a heat-resistant rare-earth(RE)Mg-16.1Gd-3.5Nd-0.38Zn-0.26Zr-0.15Y(wt.%)alloy were investigated.The as-cast alloy is composed of equiaxedα-Mg matrix,net-shaped Mg5RE and Zr-rich phases.According to aging hardening curves and tensile properties variation,the optimized condition of solution treatment at 520℃for 8 h and subsequent aging at 204℃for 12 h was selected.The continuous secondary Mg5RE phase predominantly formed at grain boundaries during solidification transforms to residual discontinuousβ-Mg5RE phase and fine cuboid REH2particles after heat treatment.The annealed alloy exhibits good comprehensive tensile property at 350℃,with ultimate tensile strength of 153 MPa and elongation to fracture of 6.9%.Segregation of RE elements and eventually RE-rich precipitation at grain boundaries are responsible for the high strength at elevated temperature.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-Al-Sm series heat-resistant magnesium alloys

The microstructures and phase compositions of the as-cast and die-cast Mg-6.02Al-1.03 Sm, Mg-6.05Al-0.98Sm-0.56 Bi and Mg-5.95Al-1.01Sm-0.57 Zn alloys were investigated. Meanwhile, the tensile mechanical and flow properties were tested. The results show that the as-cast microstructure of Mg-6.02Al-1.03 Sm alloy is composed of δ-Mg matrix, discontinuous δ-Mg17Al12 phase and small block Al2 Sm phase with high thermal stability. Rod Mg3Bi2 phase precipitates when Bi is added, while the added metal Zn dissolves into δ-Mg matrix and δ-Mg17Al12 phase. The as-cast alloys exhibit the excellent tensile mechanical property. The tensile strength（δb） and elongation（δ） can reach 205-235 MPa and 8.5%-16.0% at ambient temperature, respectively. Meanwhile, they can also exceed 160 MPa and 14.0% at 423 K, respectively. The die-cast microstructures are refined obviously, and meanwhile the broken second phases distribute dispersedly. The die-cast alloys exhibit better tensile mechanical properties with the values of δb and δ of 240-285 MPa and 8.5%-16.5% at ambient temperature, respectively, and excellent flow property with the flow length of 1870-2420 mm. The die-cast tensile fractures at ambient temperature exhibit a typical character of ductile fracture.

Effect of RE addition on solidification process and high-temperature strength of Al-12%Si-4%Cu-1.6%Mn heat-resistant alloy

The effect of RE addition on solidification process and high-temperature strength of Al-12%Si-4%Cu-1.6%Mn(in wt.%)heat-resistant alloy was investigated by microstructure observation and tensile test.A great number of fine needle-like RE-rich phases are observed in the alloys with RE addition. Solutionizing treatment does not change their morphologies and sizes, indicating that they have good thermal stability. The addition of RE totally alters the solidification process of eutectic CruAl2 phase, from network-like phase in the form of segregation at the final eutectic grain boundaries to discretely blocky phase growing on the hair-filamentous RE-rich needles. In the alloys with Ce addition, blocky CuAl2, particulate Al15Mn3Si2 and needle-like RE-rich needle phases grow together, but they did not occur in the alloy with only La addition. The addition of RE does not considerably improve the strength of the alloy at high temperatures. The formation of RE-rich phases also does not significantly alter the originating and propagating of micro-cracks in the alloy during tensile test.

Research on CMT welding of nickel-based alloy with stainless steel

Cold Metal Transfer （CMT） welding technique is a new welding technique introduced by Fronins company. CMT welding of nickel-based alloy with stainless steel was carried out using CuSi3 filler wire in this paper. Effects of welding parameters, including welding current, welding speed, etc, on weld surface appearance were tested. Microstructure and mechanical properties of CMT weld were studied. The results shaw that the thickness of interface reaction layer of the nickel- based alloy is 14. 3 μm, which is only 4. 33% of base material. The weld is made up of two phases, α-copper and iron-based solid solution. Rupture occurs initially at the welded seam near the edge of stainless steel in shear test. The maximum shear strength of the CuSi3 welded joint is 184. 9 MPa.

Microstructural investigation and castability anticipation in modern Ti/Al/Nb-containing nickel-based superalloys

A quantitative relation between the γ/γ′ and γ/Laves intermetallics was investigated with the change of chemical composition, i.e., Ti, Al and Nb in the third generation of nickel-based superalloys. The results demonstrated that the maximum amount of intermetallic eutectics （i.e., 41.5%, mass fraction） has been formed in 9.8% （Ti＋Al）. It is predicted that high level of intermetallics formed in the 3GSA-HNM-1 （γ-9.8%（Ti＋Al）） deteriorates its castability. The type and morphology of eutectic intermetallics change and the amount considerably diminishes by decreasing Ti＋Al in 3GSA-HNM-2 （γ-7.6%（Ti＋Al）, 1.5% Nb）. Thus, it is predicted that the castability for the 3GSA-HNM-2 improves. The amount of Laves intermetallics shows an ascending behavior again, however, with less intensity by increasing the Nb content in the 3GSA-HNM-3 （γ-5.7%（Ti＋Al）, 2.9% Nb）. It can be concluded that for 3GSA-HNM-3 with composition of γ-5.7%（Ti＋Al） and 2.9% Nb, the optimized castability can be anticipated, because the minimum amount of eutectic intermetallics （i.e., 4.7%） is formed.

Review on synergistic damage effect of irradiation and corrosion on reactor structural alloys

The synergistic damage effect of irradiation and corrosion of reactor structural materials has been a prominent research focus.This paper provides a comprehensive review of the synergistic effects on the third-and fourth-generation fission nuclear energy structural materials used in pressurized water reactors and molten salt reactors.The competitive mechanisms of multiple influencing factors,such as the irradiation dose,corrosion type,and environmental temperature,are summarized in this paper.Conceptual approaches are proposed to alleviate the synergistic damage caused by irradiation and corrosion,thereby promoting in-depth research in the future and solving this key challenge for the structural materials used in reactors.

Experimental Study on Machining Shape Hole of Ni-based Super-heat-resistant Alloy

Inconel 718 and Waspaloy, Nickel-based super-heat-resistant alloy, are high-strength, thermal-resistant and corrosion-resistant alloy that are widely used in parts of gas turbines and airplane engines. Due to their extremely tough and thermal-resistant nature, they are well known as materials that are difficult to cut. Shape holes on a disc of an aircraft engine, made of Ni-based super-heat-resistant alloy, are required with good surface integrity and geometric accuracy. This kind of shape hole is produced by EDM (Electro-discharge machining) currently. It is necessary to investigate an alternative machining process to reduce the process time and improve the surface quality. This paper presents an experimental study on the machining methods for the shape hole of Ni-base super-heat-resistant alloy Inconel 718 and Waspaloy. The feasibility using milling or/and grinding as an alternative for currently EDM process to machine shape holes is assessed by observing the wear and breakage of the cutting tools and grinder and analyzing the hole surface integrity and geometric accuracy. The results show that the milling process of Inconel 718 and Waspaloy can produce shape holes with acceptable surface roughness and geometric accuracy efficiently. The machined Waspaloy shape holes reveal a slight decrease tendency in section dimension from the top of the its bottom. There is a larger deviation from the nominal profile at the segment with smaller radius. A thin softened surface layer with thickness smaller than 60 μm occurs on the machined Waspaloy shape holes. The softening and work hardening become remarkable with the progress of tool wear.

Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of CrN and CrN/TiN Coated Heat-Resistant Steels in Molten Aluminum Alloy

The components of the equipment for processing the Al melts into the molded parts can be markedly corroded by the molten Al. In this study, a 4 μm CrN coating or CrN/TiN multilayer coating for providing the physical and chemical barriers between the molten reactive Al and the steel substrate were deposited by Cathodic Arc Evaporation onto 10 mm-thick heat-resistant steel plates. The dipping tests were conducted in a 700℃ A356 melt for 1 to 21 h at intervals of 3 h. The damage of the coated steel was eva...

E2EM’s prediction of LaB_(6) as nucleation substrate for primary Mn-rich phase in Al-Si-Cu-Mn heat-resistant alloy and its refining effect

Edge-to-edge matching(E2EM)model was used to predict the potency of LaB_(6) as the heterogeneous nucleation substrate for primary Al_(13)Mn_(4)Si_(8) phase formed during the solidification of Al−Si−Cu−Mn heat-resistant alloy.There are five pairs of orientation relationships(ORs)between LaB_(6) and Al_(13)Mn_(4)Si_(8) phases which meet the criteria of E2EM model.One pair of plane ORs((110)LaB_(6)//(110)Al_(13)Mn_(4)Si_(8))are demonstrated by TEM observation.This strongly indicates that the LaB_(6) phase can act as the heterogeneous nucleation substrate for the primary Al_(13)Mn_(4)Si_(8) phase.1.0 wt.%of Al−2La−1B master alloy was also added into Al−12Si−4Cu−2Mn alloy to evaluate the refining effect by microstructure observation and tensile test.Experimental results show that addition of Al−2La−1B master alloy can significantly refine the primary Al_(13)Mn_(4)Si_(8) phase,supporting the prediction accuracy of E2EM model.However,such refinement of primary Al_(13)Mn_(4)Si_(8) phase does not lead to an improvement in strength.This is due to the larger difference in elastic modulus between the finally formed Al_(13)Mn_(4)Si_(8) phase and aluminum matrix than that of Al_(15)Mn_(3)Si_(2) phase.

Nickel-base superalloys for USC power plants

The advanced ultra-supercritical power plants of the future will utilize steam pressures and temperatures that are too high for traditional ferritic steels,thus requiring austenitic materials.Older nickel-base superalloys such as 263 and 617 were initially evaluated under the European THERMIE project beginning in the 1990s.An entirely new age-hardened alloy 740 which possesses exceptional fireside corrosion resistance and creep strength was also developed for boiler tubing capable of serving at 700C.Subsequently,interest in the USA considered other product forms such as steam header piping and steam turbine forgings for service as high as 760C.A more stable and weldable alloy version now called 740H was developed to meet these more demanding conditions.This paper summarizes the current status of work on alloys 740 and 740H.

Simulation and experiments of ultrasonic propagation in nickel-based alloy weldments

In order to obtain good understanding of complicated beam propagation behaviors in nickel-based alloy weldments , ray tracing simulation is established to predict the ultrasonic beam path in a special welded structure of dissimilar steels. Also experimental examinations are carried out to measure the ultrasonic beam paths in the weldment. Then comparisons of the modeling predictions with experimental results are presented to reveal the complicated beam propagation behaviors.

XPS analysis of passive film formed on the G3 nickel-base alloy tubing under corrosive conditions

In the present study, the passive film formed on the G3 nickel-base alloy tubing under corrosive conditions including H2S ,CO2 ,and Cl-at 130 ℃ and 205 ℃ is studied with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy（XPS）. The results reveal that the passive film formed at 205℃ consists of Cr, Ni, Fe, S and O elements and is over 470 nm in thickness. The passive film can be divided into three layers, the outer-layer is composed of NiS2 and Cr2 S3 , the intermediate-layer of Cr（OH） 3, Ni （OH） 2, NiS2, Cr2 $3 and a small quantity of NiO and Cr2 O3, and the inner-layer of NiO, Cr2 O3, and alloy elements. Due to the invasion of S2 - into the passive film and the decrease of the content of chromium oxide in the film, the corrosion resistance of the G3 alloy in the sour environment at 205 ℃ is weakened.

NICKEL-BASE ALLOY SHEET ALLOYS USED IN AEROSPACE APPLICATIONS

Many gas turbine components are made from nickel alloy sheet. Most are used for directing or containing gases at high temperatures and pressures where metal temperatures can be as high as 1090℃ (2000°F). These applications included combustor systems, casings and liners, transition and exhaust ducting, afterburners, and thrust reversere. Light weight components and sub-assemblies call for alloy sheet with high levels of stength and oxidation resistance. Complex component design calls for excellent ductility and ease of fabrication.The wide range of nickel alloy sheet alloys presently used in aircraft and land-based gas turbines is briefly described and typical properties presented. New sheet alloy developments, involving INCONEL￣* alloys 625LCF, 718SPF and MA754, are presented including the process routes involved and material properties.

Thermal desorption characteristic of helium ion irradiated nickel-base alloy

The nickel-base alloy is one of the leading candidate materials for generation IV nuclear reactor pressure vessel.To evaluate its stability of helium damage and retention,helium ions with different energy of 80 keV and 180 keV were introduced by ion implantation to a certain dose(peak displacement damage 1-10 dpa).Then thermal desorption spectroscopy(TDS)of helium atoms was performed to discuss the helium desorption characteristic and trapping sites.The desorption peaks shift to a lower temperature with increasing dpa for both 80 keV and 180 keV irradiation,reflecting the reduced diffusion activation energy and faster diffusion within the alloy.The main release peak temperature of 180 keV helium injection is relatively higher than that of 80 keV at the same influence,which is because the irradiation damage of 180 keV,helium formation and entrapment occur deeper.The broadening of the spectra corresponds to different helium trapping sites(He-vacancies,grain boundary)and desorption mechanisms(different Hen Vm size).The helium retention amount of 80 keV is lower than that of 180 keV,and a saturation limit associated with the irradiation of 80 keV has been reached.The relatively low helium retention proves the better resistance to helium bubbles formation and helium brittleness.

Structural Characterization of Nickel-Base Alloy C-276 Irradiated with Ar Ions

The irradiation damage in nickel-base alloy C-276 irradiated with 115 keV Ar ions from low to very high doses was investigated. Structural characterization was performed using transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, grazing incident X-ray diffraction （GIXRD） and atomic force microscopy （AFM）. High density of interstitial type dislocation loops could be observed at a dose level of around 2.75 displacements per atom （dpa）. With the irradiation dose increased to 27.5 dpa, the average size of loops increased from 5 nm to 16 nm, while the density of the loops decreased from 1.4 × 1011/cm2 to 4.6 × 1010/cm2. When the irradiation dose reached 82.5 dpa, original grains were transformed into subgrains whose sizes observed from TEM were about 20-60 nm. The fragmentation of grains was confirmed by GIXRD. The mean subgrain size was 40 nm, which was obtained from the full width at half maximum （FWHM） of the X-ray diffraction lines using the Scherrer formula and Williamson formula. AFM micrographs showed that nanometer-sized hillocks formed at the dose of 82.5 dpa, which provided further evidence of grain fragmentation at a high irradiation dose.

Evolution of helium bubbles in nickel-based alloy by post-implantation annealing

Nickel-based alloys have been considered as candidate structural materials used in generation IV nuclear reactors serving at high temperatures.In the present study,alloy 617 was irradiated with 180-keV helium ions to a fluence of 3.6×10^(17) ions/cm^(2) at room temperature.Throughout the cross-section transmission electron microscopy(TEM)image,numerous over-pressurized helium bubbles in spherical shape are observed with the actual concentration profile a little deeper than the SRIM predicted result.Post-implantation annealing was conducted at 700℃for 2 h to investigate the bubble evolution.The long-range migration of helium bubbles occurred during the annealing process,which makes the bubbles of the peak region transform into a faceted shape as well.Then the coarsening mechanism of helium bubbles at different depths is discussed and related to the migration and coalescence(MC)mechanism.With the diffusion of nickel atoms slowed down by the alloy elements,the migration and coalescence of bubbles are suppressed in alloy 617,leading to a better helium irradiation resistance.

Electronic Properties of Passive Films Formed on G3 and G30 Nickel-based Alloys in Bicarbonate/Carbonate Buffer Solution

The electronic properties of passive films formed on G3 and G30 alloys in bicarbonate/carbonate buffer solution were comparatively studied by electrochemical impedance spectra（EIS） and Mott-Schottky analysis, the chemical composition of the passive film formed on G3 alloy was detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）. The results show that passive film on G3 alloy had better protection than that on G30 alloy. The transfer resistance, film resistance and diffusion resistance of the passive films on both alloys increased with increasing formation potential, prolonging formation time, increasing pH value, decreasing formation temperature, and decreasing chloride and sulphide ions concentration. Mott-Schottky plot reveals that the passive films on the two alloys show a p-n semi-conductive character. XPS analysis indicates that the passive film on G3 alloy was composed of an inner Cr oxide and an outer Fe, Mo/Ni oxides.

Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Y-containing Al-Zr Heat-resistant Alloy Produced by Dynamic ECAE Process

The influence of rare earth Y on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Zr alloy produced by dynamic ECAE was studied by OLYMPUS-BX51M optical microscope(OM),S4800 energy disperse spectroscopy(EDS)and SANS CMT5105 electronic universal material testing machine,and the corresponding equivalent conductivity was also investigated by using QJ48 DC electric bridge.The results show that the tensile strength of Al-Zr conductor first increases and then decreases with the increase of the aging time and temperature,and the highest tensile value can be obtained under the aging temperature of 160°C for 4 h.The ductility and the resistivity of the Al-Zr alloy have inverse proportion to the aging time.The rare earth Y has significantly improved the electrical and mechanical properties of Al-0.3%Zr heat-resistant alloy.In this study,the tensile strength and the elongation of the Al-0.3%Zr-0.2%Y alloy,after aging treatment at 220°C for 14 h,are about 278.49 MPa and 6.7%,respectively,and the equivalent conductivity is about 59.6 IACS.Hence the synthetical properties of the Y-containing alloy are significantly improved compared with traditional Al-0.3%Zr alloy.

ADVANCED NICKEL-BASED AND NICKEL-IRON-BASED SUPERALLOYS FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS

The use of high-temperature materials is especially important in power station construction, heating systems engineering, furnace industry, chemical and petrochemical industry, waste incineration plants, coal gasification plants and for flying gas turbines in civil and military aircrafts and helicopters. Particularly in recent years, the development of new processes and the drive to improve the economics of existing processes have increased the requirements significantly so that it is necessary to change from well-proven materials to new alloys. Hitherto, heat resistant ferritic steels sufficed in conventional power station constructions for temperatures up to 550℃ newly developed ferritic/martensitic steels provide sufficient strength up to about 600 - 620℃. In new processes, e.g. fluidized-bed combustion of coal, process temperatures up to 900℃ occur. However, this is not the upper limit, since in combustion engines, e.g. gas turbines. Material temperatures up to 1100℃ are reached locally. Similar development trends can also be identified in the petrochemical industry and in the heat treatment and furnace engineering. The advance to ever higher material temperatures now not only has the consequence of having to use materials with enhanced high-strength properties, considerable attention now also has to be given to their chemical stability in corrosive media. Therefore not only examples of the use of high-temperature alloys for practical applications will be given but also be contributed to some general rules for material selection with regard to their high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance.

THE ROLE OF NIOBIUM IN NICKEL-BASED SUPERALLOYS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PM ALLOY EP741NP

The role of niobium in nickel-based superalloys is reviewed. The importance of niobium as a strengthener is discussed. New developments in nickel-based superalloys are also briefly mentioned, including some results that show improved resistance to sulfidation by niobium. Research results from a current program on the role of niobium in the Russian powder metallurgy alloy EP741NP are presented. Future research plans on the role of niobium in superalloys are also discussed.