LOWER COST HIGH STRENGTH SINGLE CRYSTAL SUPERALLOYS WITH REDUCED RE AND RU CONTENT
A first embodiment of a nickel based alloy consists essentially of from 3.0 to 5.2 wt % chromium, from 1.5 to 3.0 wt % molybdenum, from 6.0 to 12.5 wt % tungsten, from 5.0 to 11 wt % tantalum, from 5.5 to 6.5 wt % aluminum, from 11 to 14 wt % cobalt, from 0.001 to 1.75 wt % rhenium, from 0.2 to 0.6 wt % hafnium, up to 0.05 wt % yttrium, up to 3.0 wt % ruthenium, and the balance nickel. Another embodiment of a nickel based alloy consists essentially of from 1.0 to 3.0 wt % chromium, up to 2.5 wt % molybdenum, from 11 to 16 wt % tungsten, from 4.0 to 8.0 tantalum, from 5.7 to 6.5 wt % aluminum, from 11 to 15 wt % cobalt, from 2.0 to 4.0 wt % rhenium, from 0.2 to 0.6 wt % hafnium, up to 0.05 wt % yttrium, up to 3.0 wt % ruthenium, and the balance nickel.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/118,714, filed Dec. 1, 2008, entitled Lower Cost High Strength Crystal Superalloys With Reduced RE and RU Content.
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTERESTThe Government of the United States of America may have rights in the present invention as a result of Contract No. N00019-02-C-3003 awarded by the Department of the Navy.
BACKGROUNDLower cost high strength single crystal superalloys with reduced rhenium and ruthenium content are described.
All second and higher generation nickel-base directionally solidified and single crystal superalloy compositions contain additions of rhenium of at least 3 wt %. Fourth generation and higher single crystal alloys contain some percentage of the element ruthenium. With the significant escalation of spot prices of these elements, there is an economic need for alternate alloy compositions with comparable levels of performance, but with reduced concentration of these expensive elements.
Nickel-base superalloy single crystals are primarily used for high temperature turbine components, such as blades and vanes, where temperature capability is typically assessed by its high temperature creep resistance. Simplistically, it is well understood that to improve creep resistance, additions of refractory elements with high melting point is desirable. Such elements include almost all Group IVA to VIIIA transition metals, especially Ti, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Re, and Ru with melting points in excess of 4082° F. (2250° C.). Among these elements, Ti, Nb, and Ta are known to almost exclusively replace Al in the ordered precipitate phase γ′ (Ni3Al), whereas Re and Ru are known to exclusively partition to the nickel base solid solution γ-matrix. W on the other hand is known to partition evenly between the γ-matrix and γ′ phase.
There are of course limits to the extent to which these elements can be accommodated in the alloy. It is common knowledge that optimum mechanical properties are obtained when the volume fraction of the γ′ phase is around 60 to 70%. Thus, individually or combined (Al+Nb+Ta+W/2) in atom % cannot exceed about 18%. Moreover, Al concentrations cannot be reduced below 10 atom % to preserve oxidation resistance. Similarly excessive addition of refractory elements in the γ-matrix is limited by the undesirable phases these elements can form after a long time exposure. The formation of so-called topologically closed packed (TCP) phases are undesirable as they reduce the creep resistance of the alloy. The concentration at which such phases will form can be approximately predicted by calculating, what is called an electron vacancy number or Nv number for the γ-matrix. This calculation is based on a weighed average of Nv assigned to each element. It is an industry wide practice to use such calculations, but it is known that it is not completely accurate and there are exceptions to the rule.
There is a need for a lower cost high strength nickel based superalloy.
SUMMARYA first embodiment of a lower cost high strength nickel based alloy broadly comprises from 3.0 to 5.2 wt % chromium, from 1.5 to 3.0 wt % molybdenum, from 6.0 to 12.5 wt % tungsten, from 5.0 to 11 wt % tantalum, from 5.5 to 6.5 wt % aluminum, from 11 to 14 wt % cobalt, from 0.001 to 1.75 wt % rhenium, from 0.2 to 0.6 wt % hafnium, up to 0.05 wt % yttrium, up to 3.0 wt % ruthenium, and the balance nickel.
Another embodiment of a lower cost high strength nickel based alloy broadly comprises from 1.0 to 3.0 wt % chromium, up to 2.5 wt % molybdenum, from 11 to 16 wt % tungsten, from 4.0 to 8.0 tantalum, from 5.7 to 6.5 wt % aluminum, from 11 to 15 wt % cobalt, from 2.0 to 4.0 wt % rhenium, from 0.2 to 0.6 wt % hafnium, up to 0.05 wt % yttrium, up to 3.0 wt % ruthenium, and the balance nickel.
Other details of the lower cost high strength nickel based superalloys, as well as objects and advantages attendant thereto, are set forth in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals depict like elements.
The combinations of compositions with the elements Ti, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Re, and Ru along with primary elements Ni, Co, Cr, and Al, is so large that it is cost prohibitive to explore the entire alloy space. Traditionally, alloys are evolved based on prior experience and once the target performance benefit is realized, there is little motivation to visit the unexplored alloy compositional space. There is no simple quantitative way to map out a space bounded by a dozen elements and pinpoint the gaps. In a limited sense, a bubble plot of Ta weight % vs. W weight %, as shown in
Prior to the development of the first generation single crystal alloy PWA 1480, the best known equiaxed and columnar grain alloys were based on Mar M200, which contain 12.5 weight % of W. Also the alloy contained 2.0 weight % Ti. Development of PWA 1480 was marked by the addition of 12 weight % Ta. Subsequent development of second generation single crystal alloys such as PWA 1484 all had a marked absence of Ti. An improved second generation DS alloy, PWA 1426, was developed with Re additions similar to PWA 1484. The fourth generation of single crystal alloys such as PWA 1497 have an increase in Re concentration concurrent with Ru additions. As can be seen in
The successful development of second generation single crystal alloys has been attributed to Re additions and it is generally believed that Re makes the lattice misfit between the γ′ precipitate and the γ-matrix become more negative. Re is also thought to reduce the coarsening rate of the γ′ phase, contributing to improving creep strength.
Useful alloys are listed in Table I and are also depicted in
Listed in Table I are baseline compositions of the second and fourth generation single crystal alloys PWA 1484 and PWA 1497, respectively, and the second generation columnar grain (DS) alloy PWA 1426. It can be seen from
One embodiment of a useful alloy contains from 3.0 to 5.2 wt % chromium, from 1.5 to 3.0 wt % molybdenum, from 6.0 to 12.5 wt % tungsten, from 5.0 to 11 wt % tantalum, from 5.5 to 6.5 wt % aluminum, from 11 to 14 wt % cobalt, from 0.001 to 1.75 wt % rhenium, from 0.2 to 0.6 wt % hafnium, up to 0.05 wt % yttrium, and the balance nickel.
Table II is a comparison of alloys having compositions within the aforesaid range with Rene N5. The data shows the alloys described herein to have higher density, an equivalent or better life, better yield strength, and equivalent or better ultimate tensile strength than Rene N5.
A second embodiment of a useful alloy contains from 4.0 to 5.0 wt % chromium, from 1.7 to 2.3 wt % molybdenum, from 7.0 to 12.5 wt % tungsten, from 5.5 to 10 wt % tantalum, from 5.6 to 6.25 wt % aluminum, from 11.5 to 13.5 wt % cobalt, from 0.001 to 1.75 wt % rhenium, from 0.2 to 0.4 wt % hafnium, from 0.001 to 0.01 wt % yttrium, and the balance nickel.
A third embodiment of a useful alloy contains from 1.0 to 3.0 wt % chromium, up to 2.5 wt % molybdenum, from 11 to 16 wt % tungsten, from 4.0 to 8.0 tantalum, from 5.7 to 6.5 wt % aluminum, from 11 to 15 wt % cobalt, from 2.0 to 4.0 wt % rhenium, from 0.2 to 0.6 wt % hafnium, up to 0.05 wt % yttrium and the balance nickel.
A fourth embodiment of a useful alloy contains from 1.5 to 2.5 wt % chromium, from 0.5 to 1.5 wt % molybdenum, from 11.5 to 13.5 wt % tungsten, from 5.0 to 7.0 tantalum, from 5.8 to 6.25 wt % aluminum, from 11.5 to 13.5 wt % cobalt, from 2.5 to 3.5 wt % rhenium, from 0.2 to 0.4 wt % hafnium, from 0.001 to 0.01 wt % yttrium, and the balance nickel.
The above alloys may contain up to 3.0 wt % ruthenium. The total rhenium and ruthenium content of each of the alloys may be no greater than 6.0 wt %.
Oxidation resistance can be maintained by the addition of at least 15-30 ppm yttrium or other equivalent active elements such as Ca, Mg, and other rare earth elements. Previously, yttrium and other rare earth additions have not been added to alloys containing elevated levels of W, i.e. greater than 6.0 weight %.
The alloys described herein can fulfill the low cost requirements. Since Re and Ru raw material prices have risen in the last few years, reducing their concentration in new alloys by 50% or more (compared to existing second generation and higher alloys) will have a significant effect on master heat cost.
It should be apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the present disclosure lower cost high strength single crystal superalloys with reduced rhenium and ruthenium content. While the superalloys have been described in the context of specific embodiments thereof, other unforeseeable alternatives, variations and modifications make become apparent to those skilled in the art having read the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace those alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the broad scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A nickel based alloy consisting essentially of from 3.0 to 5.2 wt % chromium, from 1.5 to 3.0 wt % molybdenum, from 6.0 to 12.5 wt % tungsten, from 5.0 to 11 wt % tantalum, from 5.5 to 6.5 wt % aluminum, from 11 to 14 wt % cobalt, up to 1.75 wt % rhenium, from 0.2 to 0.6 wt % hafnium, up to 0.05 wt % yttrium, up to 3.0 wt % ruthenium, and the balance nickel.
2. The nickel based alloy of claim 1, wherein said chromium is present in an amount from 4.0 to 5.0 wt %.
3. The nickel based alloy of claim 1, wherein said molybdenum is present in an amount from 1.7 to 2.3 wt %.
4. The nickel based alloy of claim 1, wherein said tungsten is present in an amount from 7.0 to 12 wt %.
5. The nickel based alloy of claim 1, wherein said tantalum is present in an amount from 5.5 to 10 wt %.
6. The nickel based alloy of claim 1, wherein said aluminum is present in an amount from 5.6 to 6.25 wt %.
7. The nickel based alloy of claim 1, wherein said cobalt is present in an amount from 11.5 to 13.5 wt %.
8. The nickel based alloy of claim 1, wherein said rhenium is present in an amount from 0.001 to 1.75 wt %.
9. The nickel based alloy of claim 1, wherein said hafnium is present in an amount from 0.2 to 0.4 wt %.
10. The nickel based alloy of claim 1, wherein said yttrium is present in an amount from 0.001 to 0.01 wt %.
11. The nickel based alloy of claim 10, wherein the total ruthenium and rhenium content is no greater than 6.0 wt %.
12. A nickel based alloy consisting essentially of from 1.0 to 3.0 wt % chromium, up to 2.5 wt % molybdenum, from 11 to 16 wt % tungsten, from 4.0 to 8.0 tantalum, from 5.7 to 6.5 wt % aluminum, from 11 to 15 wt % cobalt, from 2.0 to 4.0 wt % rhenium, from 0.2 to 0.6 wt % hafnium, up to 0.05 wt % yttrium, up to 3.0 wt % ruthenium, and the balance nickel.
13. The nickel based alloy of claim 12, wherein said chromium is present in an amount from 1.5 to 2.5 wt %.
14. The nickel based alloy of claim 12, wherein said molybdenum is present in an amount from 0.5 to 1.5 wt %.
15. The nickel based alloy of claim 12, wherein said tungsten is present in an amount from 11.5 to 13.5 wt %.
16. The nickel based alloy of claim 12, wherein said tantalum is present in an amount from 5.0 to 7.0 wt %.
17. The nickel based alloy of claim 12, wherein said aluminum is present in an amount from 5.8 to 6.25 wt %.
18. The nickel based alloy of claim 12, wherein said cobalt is present in an amount from 11.5 to 13.5 wt %.
19. The nickel based alloy of claim 12, wherein said rhenium is present in amount from 2.5 to 3.5 wt %.
20. The nickel based alloy of claim 12, wherein said hafnium is present in an amount from 0.2 to 0.4 wt %.
21. The nickel based alloy of claim 12, wherein said yttrium is present in an amount of from 0.001 to 0.01 wt %.
22. The nickel based alloy of claim 12, wherein the total ruthenium and rhenium content is no greater than 6.0 wt %.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 30, 2009
Publication Date: Jun 3, 2010
Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION (Hartford, CT)
Inventors: Alan D. Cetel (West Hartford, CT), Dilip M. Shah (Glastonbury, CT)
Application Number: 12/627,232
International Classification: C22C 19/05 (20060101);