Development of a New Nickel-base Superalloy for High Temperature Applications

Abstract

Since their appearance during in the 1940 decade, nickel-base alloys are appreciated for their superior mechanical properties and microstructural stability at elevated temperatures and high stresses. They are typically used in jet-engines and land-based turbines for energy generation. Such materials, known as superalloys are in constant evolution as designers are encouraged to propose more efficient and powerful systems of propulsion and energy generation. This evolution leads to conceive and manufacture new superalloys capable to fulfill higher requirements. Alloy 718Plus® is emerging as an alternative material for the design and construction of components to be used in jet-engines and land-based turbines for energy generation. 718Plus® is a precipitation hardened nickel-base alloy designed to have the stability of superalloys similar to Waspaloy and the good processing characteristics of other materials as the 718 alloy. Since the early 2000 decade, ATI Allvac has lead a complete program in order to validate capabilities and properties of the 718Plus® alloy. Objectives for this effort include a characterization and its introduction as a viable material for the design and manufacture of components to be installed technologically. As part of this project, contoured rings made of 718Plus® are rolled considering industrial conditions. Several heat treatments, involving solution and precipitation processes are performed on segments extracted from involved contoured rings. Effects of such hot-working conditions and heat treatment procedures on properties as forgeability, tensile, hardness and stress-rupture characteristics are evaluated. Optical and electron microscopy are performed to evaluate microstructural properties as grain size and promotion of precipitates, in order to complement reported results.