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Superalloy 718: Evolution of the Alloy from High to Low Temperature Application

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Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Superalloy 718 & Derivatives: Energy, Aerospace, and Industrial Applications

Part of the book series: The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series ((MMMS))

Abstract

Alloy 718 (UNS N07718 ) was the culmination of a research project started in the mid-1950s to develop a stronger pipe alloy for coal-fired power plants. It was never used for that application, but it was quickly adopted for aircraft turbine engines because of its very high strength , thermal stability, formability and weldability compared to the γʹ-strengthened alloys available in the 1960s. Alloy 718 derives its unique combination of strength and fabricability from a coherent ordered tetragonal phase γʺ and the slow diffusion rate of its main constituent, niobium . Very early in its commercial life, alloy 718 was recognized as having attributes for both ambient and cryogenic temperature uses as well. Impact toughness, aqueous corrosion resistance, and non-ferromagnetic properties were important attributes. Alloy 718 replaced established age-hardened iron/nickel-base alloys such as A-286, K-500 and X-750 as well as martensitic steels in a wide range of components in the space launch, oil and gas , marine, nuclear and superconducting magnet industries. As the applications became more specialized, so did the heat treatments and microstructures to accentuate specific properties. A common thread through these low temperature applications has been hydrogen embrittlement and a substantial body of literature documents our increasing awareness of its role in service performance. In recent decades, new alloys based on alloy 718 and the γʺ strengthening phase have been introduced, especially for oil and gas production equipment. This paper describes the early development of alloy 718 for these important applications , along with alloy, microstructure and heat-treatment evolution and current status.

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Acknowledgements

First and foremost, the authors are grateful to have known alloy 718 inventor Herb Eiselstein as a friend and collaborator. A very reserved but focused and persistent man, Herb’s inventions have impacted many industries. Long after his retirement, Herb maintained a keen interest in fruits of his inspiration and perspiration. The authors would also like to acknowledge John Halchak, Monica Jacinto, Tim Gabb, Jim Crum, Gaylord Smith, Daniel Sanders, Lew Shoemaker, John Weber, Steve Buzolits, Brian Baker, and Dan Paulonis for their advice and contributions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Special Metals Corporation, 3200 Riverside Drive, Huntington, WV, USA

    Shailesh Patel, John deBarbadillo & Stephen Coryell

Authors
  1. Shailesh Patel
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  2. John deBarbadillo
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  3. Stephen Coryell
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shailesh Patel .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. General Electric, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

    Eric Ott

  2. West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA

    Xingbo Liu

  3. University West, Trollhättan, Sweden

    Joel Andersson

  4. China Iron and Steel Research Institute, Beijing, China

    Zhongnan Bi

  5. ‎ATI Specialty Materials, Monroe, North Carolina, USA

    Kevin Bockenstedt

  6. Wyman Gordon Forgings Inc., Houston, Texas, USA

    Ian Dempster

  7. General Electric, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

    Jon Groh

  8. Carpenter Technology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Karl Heck

  9. United States Department of Energy, Albany, New York, USA

    Paul Jablonski

  10. Pratt & Whitney, East Hartford, Connecticut, USA

    Max Kaplan

  11. Honda Motor Co. Ltd., Saitama, Japan

    Daisuke Nagahama

  12. QuesTek Innovations, Evanston, Illinois, USA

    Chantal Sudbrack

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Patel, S., deBarbadillo, J., Coryell, S. (2018). Superalloy 718: Evolution of the Alloy from High to Low Temperature Application. In: Ott, E., et al. Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Superalloy 718 & Derivatives: Energy, Aerospace, and Industrial Applications. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89480-5_2

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