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A review of very-high-temperature Nb-silicide-based composites

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Abstract

The temperatures of airfoil surfaces in advanced turbine engines are approaching the limits of nickel-based superalloys. Innovations in refractory metal-intermetallic composites (RMICs) are being pursued, with particular emphasis on systems based on Nb-Si and Mo-Si-B alloys. These systems have the potential for service at surface temperatures >1350 °C. The present article will review the most recent progress in the development of Nb-silicide-based in-situ composites for very-high-temperature applications. Nb-silicide-based composites contain high-strength silicides that are toughened by a ductile Nb-based solid solution. Simple composites are based on binary Nb-Si alloys; more complex systems are alloyed with Ti, Hf, Cr, and Al. In higher-order silicide-based systems, alloying elements have been added to stabilize intermetallics, such as Laves phases, for additional oxidation resistance. Alloying schemes have been developed to achieve an excellent balance of room-temperature toughness, high-temperature creep performance, and oxidation resistance. Recent progress in the development of composite processing-structure-property relationships in Nb-silicide-based in-situ composites will be described, with emphasis on rupture resistance and oxidation performance. The Nb-silicide composite properties will be compared with those of advanced Ni-based superalloys.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. the GE Global Research Center, General Electric Company, 12301, Schenectady, NY

    B. P. Bewlay (Staff Metallurgist), M. R. Jackson (Staff Metallurgist), P. R. Subramanian (Staff Metallurgist) & J. -C. Zhao (Materials Scientist)

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  1. B. P. Bewlay
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  2. M. R. Jackson
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  3. P. R. Subramanian
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  4. J. -C. Zhao
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Additional information

This article is based on a presentation made in the symposium entitled “Fundamentals of Structural Intermetallics,” presented at the 2002 TMS Annual Meeting, February 21–27, 2002, in Seattle, Washington, under the auspices of the ASM and TMS Joint Committee on Mechanical Behavior of Materials.

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Bewlay, B.P., Jackson, M.R., Subramanian, P.R. et al. A review of very-high-temperature Nb-silicide-based composites. Metall Mater Trans A 34, 2043–2052 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-003-0269-8

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