Abstract
Ni-based superalloys are used for high-temperature components of gas turbines in both industrial and aerospace applications due to their ability to maintain dimensional stability under conditions of high stress and strain. The oxidation resistance of these alloys often dictates their service lifetime. This study focuses on the isothermal oxidation behavior of three Ni-based superalloys, namely, polycrystalline cast IN738LC, single-crystal N5, and a ternary Ni-Fe-Cr (TAS) powder metallurgy alloy. The isothermal oxidation tests were conducted at 900 °C in the static air up to 1000 h, and the specific aspects studied were the oxidation behavior of these chromia-forming and alumina-forming alloys that are used extensively in industry. In particular, the behavior of oxide scale growth and subsurface changes were analyzed in detail using various techniques such as SEM, EDS, and AFM. From the isothermal oxidation kinetics, the oxidation rate constant, k p, was calculated for each alloy and found to be; k p = 2.79 × 10−6 mg2 cm−4 s−1 for IN738LC, k p = 1.42 × 10−7 mg2 cm−4 s−1 for N5 and k p = 1.62 × 10−7 mg2 cm−4 s−1 for TAS. Based on a microstructural analysis, IN738LC exhibited a continuous dense outer scale of Cr2O3 and discontinuous inner scale of Al2O3, whereas N5 and TAS showed a dense outer scale of Al2O3 alone. The results suggested that the N5 and PM-TAS alloys are more oxidation resistant than the IN738LC under these conditions.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
D. Blavette, E. Cadel, and B. Deconihout, Role of the Atom Probe in the Study of Nickel-Based Superalloys, Mater. Charact., 2000, 44, p 133–157
M.C. Kushan, S.C. Uzgur, Y. Uzunonat, and F. Diltemiz, ALLVAC 718 Plustm Superalloy For Aircraft Engine Applications, Recent Adv. Aircr. Technol., 2012, 718, p 75–96
Z. Mazur, A. Luna-Ramírez, J.A. Juárez-Islas, and A. Campos-Amezcua, Failure Analysis of a Gas Turbine Blade Made of Inconel 738LC Alloy, Eng. Fail. Anal., 2005, 12, p 474–486
Y. Danis, C. Arvieu, E. Lacoste, T. Larrouy, and J.M. Quenisset, An Investigation on Thermal, Metallurgical and Mechanical States in Weld Cracking of Inconel 738LC Superalloy, Mater. Des., 2010, 31, p 402–416
T.M. Pollock and S. Tin, Nickel-Based Superalloys for Advanced Turbine Engines: Chemistry, Microstructure and Properties, J. Propuls. Power, 2006, 22, p 361–374
M. Konter and M. Thumann, Materials and Manufacturing of Advanced Industrial Gas Turbine Components, J. Mater. Process. Technol., 2001, 117, p 386–390
W. Eisen, Powder Metallurgy Superalloys for High Temperatures High Performance Applications, Mater. World, 2006, 4, p 22–24
D.C. Murray, N.L. Richards, and W.F. Caley, On Improving the Oxidation Resistance of a Ni-Based Superalloy Produced by Powder Metallurgy, Can. Metall. Q., 2013, 52, p 439–448
D.C. Murray, On Improving the Oxidation Resistance of a Nickel-Based Superalloy Produced by Powder Metallurgy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, 2012
N. Birks, G.H. Meier, and F.S. Pettit, Introduction to the High-Temperature Oxidation of Metals, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2006
O. Kubaschewski and B.E. Hopkins, Oxidation of Metals and Alloys, Butterworths Scientific, London, 1962
W.W. Smeltzer, D.J. Young, W.W. Schmeltzer, and D.J. Young, Oxidation Properties of Transition Metals, Prog. Solid State Chem., 1975, 10, p 17–54
D.J. Young, High Temperature Oxidation and Corrosion of Metals, Elsevier Science S.A., London, 2008
B.G. Cade, W.F. Caley, and N.L. Richards, Comparison of Oxidation Performance of Two Nickel Base Superalloys for Turbine Applications, Can. Metall. Q., 2014, 53, p 460–468
B. Chattopadhyay and G.C. Wood, The Transient Oxidation of Fe-Cr and Ni-Cr Alloys, J. Electrochem. Soc., 1970, 117, p 1163–1171
C.S. Giggins and F.S. Pettit, Oxidation of Ni-Cr-Al Alloys Between 1000° and 1200 °C, J. Electrochem. Soc., 1971, 118, p 1782
J.L. Smialek and G.H. Meier, Superalloys II, Wiley-Interscience, London, 1987
S.W. Yang, Effect of Ti and Ta on the Oxidation of a Complex Superalloy, Oxid. Met., 1981, 15, p 375–397
J. Wang, M. Chen, S. Zhu, and F. Wang, Ta Effect on Oxidation of a Nickel-Based Single-Crystal Superalloy and Its Sputtered Nanocrystalline Coating at 900–1100 °C, Appl. Surf. Sci., 2015, 345, p 194–203
H.M. Hindam and W.W. Smeltzer, Growth and Microstructure of -Al2O3 on Ni-Al Alloys: Internal Precipitation and Transition to External scale, J. Electrochem. Soc., 1980, 127, p 1630–1635
F.S. Pettit and G.H. Meier. Oxidation and Hot Corrosion of Superalloys. In: Superalloys 1984 Fifth International Symposium, pp. 651–687 (1984). doi:10.7449/1984/Superalloys_1984_651_687
A. Czyrska-filemonowicz, K. Szot, A. Wasilkowska, A.K. Tyagi, and W.J. Quadakkers, Oxide Scale Formation and Microstructural Changes During High Temperature Exposure of Mechanically Alloyed ODS Alloys Studied by AFM, TEM SIMS/SNMS, 1999, 48, p 725–730
B. Li and B. Gleeson, Effects of Silicon on the Oxidation Behavior of Ni-Base Chromia-Forming Alloys, Oxid. Met., 2006, 65, p 101–122
F.H. Stott, F.I. Gabriel, F.I. Wei, and G.C. Wood, Development of Silicon-Containing Oxides During the Oxidation of Fe-Cr-Base Alloys, Werkstoffe und Korrosion, 1987, 38, p 521–531
D. Caplan, Scaling of Fe-26Cr Alloys at 870 °C–1200 °C, J. Electrochem. Soc., 1965, 112, p 471–477
H.E. Evans, D.A. Hilton, R.A. Holm, and S.J. Webster, Influence of Silicon Additions on the Oxidation Resistance of a Stainless Steel, Oxid. Met., 1983, 19, p 1–18
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to technicians Mike Boskwick and Trevor Smith for technical assistance. As well, the authors are indeed grateful to the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) for financial support.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mallikarjuna, H.T., Richards, N.L. & Caley, W.F. Isothermal Oxidation Comparison of Three Ni-Based Superalloys. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 26, 2014–2023 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-017-2630-x
Received:
Revised:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-017-2630-x