FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a Co-Ni base heat-resistant alloy and to a preparation
method therefor, and more particularly concerns a Co-Ni base heat-resistant alloy
that is used for springs, bolts, etc., that are employed to portions, such as engines
and exhaust systems and peripheral devices of gas turbines, which are exposed to high
temperatures, and to a preparation method therefor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventionally, heat-resistant parts that are employed in portions, such as engines
and exhaust systems and peripheral devices of gas turbines, that are exposed to high
temperatures, are manufactured by using Ni-base super heat-resistant alloy such as
Inconel X-750 (Ni: 73.0 mass%, Cr: 15.0 mass%, Al: 0.8 mass%, Ti: 2.5 mass%, Fe: 6.8
mass%, Mn: 0.70 mass%, Si: 0.25 mass%, C: 0.04, Nb+Ta: 0.9 mass%) and Inconel 718
(Ni: 53.0 mass%, Cr: 18.6 mass%, Mo: 3.1 mass%, Al: 0.4 mass%, Ti: 0.9 mass%, Fe:
18.5 mass%, Mn: 0.20 mass%, Si: 0.18 mass%, C: 0.04 mass%, Nb+Ta: 5.0 mass%).
[0003] These Ni-base super-heat-resistant alloys are reinforced by depositing γ ' (Ni
3 (Al, Ti, Nb) and γ" (Ni
3Nb). However, in the case of long-period of use at high temperatures of not less than
600°C, γ ' and γ" become coarse due to overaging, causing degradation in the strength.
Moreover, parts such as springs and bolts on which stress is continuously imposed
are subjected to great stress relaxation, failing to maintain performances originally
required for the parts.
[0004] Therefore, objects of the present invention are to provide a heat resistant alloy
which exhibits higher strength than the above-mentioned Ni-base super-heat-resistant
alloy, and is less susceptible to degradation in the strength even after a long-period
of use under high temperatures, and to provide a preparation method therefor.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the inventors of the present invention
have carried out various research and studies to find a heat-resistant alloy that
has higher strength and is less susceptible to degradation in strength even after
long-period of use under high temperatures in comparison with the Ni-base super-heat-resistant
alloys, and have found that a Co-Ni-Cr based alloy is usable as the heat-resistant
alloy, and that since this Co-Ni-Cr based alloy has a very low stacking fault energy
so that when this is subjected to cold working or warm working, a solute element such
as Mo, Fe and Nb is segregated in stacking faults of extended dislocation to block
dislocation movements and consequently to achieve a high work hardening performance,
and that when this is aged subsequently after the cold working or the warm working
with working strain remaining therein, the strength is further improved.
[0006] Moreover, with respect to the alloy having the above-mentioned reinforced mechanism,
for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-140279 has
disclosed such an alloy; however, since this is still not sufficient in strength under
high temperatures, a σ phase is deposited when this alloy is strengthened by increasing
the amount of solute elements such as Mo, Fe, and Nb therein, resulting in degradation
in workability and toughness. The inventors of the present invention have found that
in order to solve this problem, when Cr is set to be a minimum level that is required
for use in a heat-resistant environment of not more than 750°C, it is possible to
suppress the deposition of the σ phase even when the amount of solute elements such
as Mo, Fe, and Nb is increased, and that it is possible to further increase the strength
by adding W thereto.
[0007] The present invention has been devised based upon these findings. Here, in the following
explanation "%" refers to mass%.
[0008] In other words, the Co-Ni base heat-resistant alloy of the present invention contains
C: not more than 0.05%, Si: not more than 0.5%, Mn: not more than 1.0%, Ni: 25 to
45%, Cr: 13 to less than 18%, Mo + 1/2W of one kind or two kinds of Mo and W: 7 to
20%, Ti: 0.1 to 3.0%, Nb: 0.1 to 5.0% and Fe: 0.1 to 5.0%, with the rest being composed
of Co and inevitable impurities.
[0009] Furthermore, the present invention preferably contains at least one selected from
the group consisting of REM (at least one rare-earth elements such as Y, Ce, and misch
metal): 0.007 to 0.10%, B: 0.001 to 0.010%, Mg: 0.0007 to 0.010% and Zr: 0.001 to
0.20%.
[0010] Moreover, the preparation method of the Co-Ni base heat-resistant alloy of the present
invention is characterized by the steps in which: an alloy containing C: not more
than 0.05%, Si: not more than 0.5%, Mn: not more than 1.0%, Ni: 25 to 45%, Cr: 13
to less than 18%, Mo + 1/2W of one kind or two kinds of Mo and W: 7 to 20%, Ti: 0.1
to 3.0%, Nb: 0.1 to 5.0% and Fe: 0.1 to 5.0%, and the rest being composed of Co and
inevitable impurities, is subjected to a solid solution heat treatment at 1000 to
1200°C or a hot working at this temperature, and this is then subjected to a cold
working or a warm working having a working ratio of not less than 40%, and this is
then subjected to an aging heat treatment at 500 to 800°C for 0.1 to 50 hours.
[0011] Moreover, in the above-mentioned preparation method also, the alloy is preferably
allowed to contain at least one selected from the group consisting of REM (at least
one rare-earth elements such as Y, Ce, and misch metal): 0.007 to 0.10%, B: 0.001
to 0.010%, Mg: 0.0007 to 0.010% and Zr: 0.001 to 0.20%.
[0012] Next, the following description will discuss the reasons for the above-mentioned
limitations to the component composition in the Co-Ni base heat-resistant alloy and
the preparation method of the present invention. C: Not more than 0.05%
[0013] Carbon C is bound to Nb and Ti to form carbides to prevent crystal particles from
becoming coarse at the time of a solid solution heat treatment, and also to strengthen
the grain boundary; thus, this element is contained for these purposes. In order to
obtain these effects, the content must be set to be not less than 0.005%; however,
since a content exceeding 0.05%, more specifically, 0.03%, would cause degradation
in the toughness and corrosion resistance, and would also form a carbide with a dislocation
anchoring element such as Mo, resulting in interference with the dislocation anchoring,
the content is set to be not more than 0.05%. The preferable range is set to be 0.005
to 0.03%. Si: Not more than 0.5%
[0014] Since Si is effectively used as a deoxidizer, this element is contained for this
purpose; however, since a content exceeding 0.5%, more specifically, 0.3%, would cause
degradation in the toughness, the content is set to be not more than 0.5%. The preferable
range is set to be not more than 0.3%. Mn: 0.1 to 1.0%
[0015] Since Mn is effectively used as a deoxidizer, and reduces stacking fault energy to
improve the work hardening performance, this element is contained for this purpose.
In order to obtain these effects, the content must be set to be not less than 0.1%,
more preferably, 0.25%; however, since a content exceeding 1.0%, more specifically,
0.7%, would cause degradation in the corrosion resistance, the content is set to be
0.1 to 1.0%. The preferable range is set to be 0.25 to 0.7%.
Ni: 25 to 45%
[0016] Since Ni is an element that is used for stabilizing austenite serving as a matrix
and improves heat resistance and corrosion resistance of the alloy, this element is
contained for these purposes. In order to obtain these effects, the content must be
set to be not less than 25%, more preferably, 27%; however, since a content exceeding
45%, more specifically, 33%, would cause degradation in the work hardening performance,
the content is set to be 25 to 45%. The preferable range is set to be 27 to 33%.
Cr: 13% to less than 18%
[0017] Since Cr is an element that is used for improving the heat resistance and corrosion
resistance, this element is contained for these purposes. In order to obtain these
effects, the content must be set to be not less than 13%, more preferably, 14.5%;
however, since a content exceeding 18%, more specifically, 17%, tends to cause deposition
of a σ phase, the content is set to be in a range of 13 to less than 18%. The preferable
range is set to be 14.5 to 17%.
Mo + 1/2W: 7 to 20%
[0018] Since Mo and W are solid solution-treated into the matrix and strengthen the matrix
to improve the work hardening performance, these elements are contained for these
purposes. In order to obtain these effects, the content must be set to be not less
than 7%, more preferably, 9%; however, since the total amount of the content of Mo
and 1/2 of the content of W exceeds 20%, more specifically, 16%, tends to cause deposition
of a σ phase, the content is set in a range of 7 to 20%. The preferable range is set
to be 9 to 16%.
Ti: 0.1 to 3.0%
[0019] Since Ti improves the strength, this element is contained for this purpose. In order
to obtain this effect, the content must be set to be not less than 0.1%, more preferably,
0.5%; however, since a content exceeding 3.0%, more specifically, 1.8%, would cause
deposition of an η phase (Ni
3Ti) resulting in degradation in the workability and toughness, the content is set
to be in a range of 0.1 to 3.0%. The preferable range is set to be 0.5 to 1.8%.
Nb:0.1 to 5.0%
[0020] Nb is bound to C to form carbides to prevent crystal particles from becoming coarse
at the time of a solid solution heat treatment and to strengthen the grain boundary,
and also solid solution-treated in the matrix to strengthen the matrix, thereby improving
the work hardening performance; thus, this element is contained for these purposes.
In order to obtain these effects, the content must be set to be not less than 0.1%,
more preferably, 0.5%; however, since the content exceeding 5.0%, more specifically,
3.5%, would cause deposition of a σ phase (Ni
3Nb) resulting in degradation in the workability and toughness, the content is set
to be in a range of 0.1 to 5.0%. The preferable range is set to be 0.5 to 3.5%.
Fe: 0.1 to 5.0%
[0021] Since Fe is solid solution-treated in the matrix to strengthen the matrix, this element
is contained for this purpose. In order to obtain this effect, the content must be
set to be not less than 0.1%, more preferably, 0.5%; however, since a content exceeding
5.0%, more specifically, 3.3%, causes degradation in the oxidation resistance property,
the content is set to be in a range of 0.1 to 5.0%. The preferable range is set to
be 0.5 to 3.3%.
[0022] Here, the application of Mo, Nb, and Fe in a combined manner makes it possible to
greatly increase the solid solution strength and work hardening of the matrix, which
greatly enhances the maximum tensile strength obtained at room temperature and at
high temperatures, and exerts an effect of shifting the temperature having a maximum
of the tensile strength at a high temperature to the high temperature side, in comparison
with the application of Mo and Nb or Mo and Fe in a combined manner. REM: 0.007 to
0.10%
[0023] Since REM, which is at least one rare-earth elements such as Y, Ce, and misch metal,
improves the hot workability and oxidation resistance property, this is contained
for these purposes. In order to obtain these effects, the content must be set to be
not less than 0.007%, more preferably, 0.01%; however, since the content exceeding
0.10%, more specifically, 0.04%, causes degradation in the hot workability and oxidation
resistance property in an inverse manner, the content is set to be in a range of 0.007
to 0.10%. The preferable range is set to be 0.01 to 0.04%.
B: 0.001 to 0.010%, Mg: 0.0007 to 0.010%, Zr: 0.001 to 0.20%.
[0024] Since B, Mg, and Zr improve the hot workability and strengthen the grain boundary,
these elements are contained for these purposes. In order to obtain these effects,
B must be set to be 0.001%, more preferably, 0.002%, Mg must be set to be 0.0007%,
more preferably, 0.001%, and Zr must be set to be 0.001%, more preferably, 0.01%;
however, since B exceeding 0.010%, more specifically, 0.004%, Mg exceeding 0.010%,
more specifically, 0.003% and Zr exceeding 0.20%, more specifically 0.03%, would cause
degradation in the hot workability and oxidation resistance property, the ranges of
the contents are respectively set to be in the above-mentioned ranges. More preferably,
B is set to be in a range of 0.002 to 0.004%, Mg is set to be in a range of 0.001
to 0.003%, and Zr is set to be in a range of 0.01 to 0.03%.
Co: Balance
[0025] Co, which has a close-packed hexagonal lattice structure, is allowed to contain Ni
so as to have a face-centered cubic lattice structure, that is, austenite, thereby
exerting a high work hardening performance.
[0026] Next, the following description will discuss the preparation method of the Co-Ni
base heat-resistant alloy of the present invention and the reasons for the above-mentioned
limitations to heat treatment and working conditions.
[0027] In the preparation method of the Co-Ni base heat-resistant alloy of the present invention,
solute atoms such as Mo are segregated at stacking faults between extended dislocations
which have been introduced through cold or warm working so as to interfere with dislocation
movements so that by suppressing the reoccurrence of dislocations, the Co-Ni base
heat-resistant alloy having the above-mentioned component composition is strengthened.
Therefore, in the preparation method of the Co-Ni base heat-resistant alloy material
of the present invention, the above-mentioned Co-Ni base heat-resistant alloy is subjected
to a solid solution heat treatment at 1000 to 1200°C to make the organization homogenous,
or a hot working at a temperature of not less than 1000°C to make the crystal grains
finer, and this is then subject to cold working or warm working at a temperature of
a working ratio of not less than 40% so that a great number of the dislocations are
introduced to carry out work hardening. Here, the warm working may be carried out
during a cooling process after the solid solution heat treatment or the hot working.
Thereafter, an aging heat treatment is carried out for 0.1 to 50 hours at 500 to 800°C
so that solute atoms such as Mo and Fe are segregated in stacking faults formed between
half-dislocations of extended dislocations; thus, the dislocation movements are blocked
so that stress relaxation, that is, reoccurrence of dislocations, is suppressed.
[0028] The reason that in the preparation method of the above-mentioned Co-Ni base heat-resistant
alloy, the solid solution heat treatment or the hot working is carried out at 1000
to 1200°C is because a temperature lower than 1000°C fails to provide a sufficiently
homogenous structure and also fails to lower the hardness, causing a difficulty in
working. Moreover, this might cause deposition of a compound such as Mo that exerts
an anchoring effect on dislocations, and the subsequent reduction in the age hardening
property. Moreover, a temperature exceeding 1200°C makes crystal grains coarse, resulting
in degradation in the toughness and strength.
[0029] Moreover, the reason that the cold working or warm working having a working ratio
of not less than 40% is carried out after the solid solution heat treatment or the
hot working is because, as shown in Table 3 and Fig. 1, the working ratio of less
than 40% fails to provide a high work hardening perfomance that is exerted by solute
elements such as Mo and Fe to be segregated in the stacking faults in extended dislocations
to interfere with the dislocation movements, and also causes greater creep elongation.
[0030] Moreover, the reason that the aging heat treatment is carried out at 500 to 800°C
for 0.1 to 50 hours after the cold or warm working of a working ratio of not less
than 40% is because, as shown in Table 4 and Fig. 2, when the treatment is at less
than 500°C or less than 0.1 hour, it fails to increase the strength sufficiently or,
when the treatment exceeds 800°C or exceeds 50 hours, the dislocations reform to cause
degradation in the hardness and strength, as well as the subsequent greater creep
elongation.
[0031] In one example of the preparation method of the Co-Ni base heat resistant alloy of
the present invention, the alloy is melted and prepared through a normal method by
using a vacuum high-frequency induction furnace, etc., and is forged into an ingot
through a normal forging method. Thereafter, this is subjected to a hot working and
solid solution heat treatment at 1000 to 1200°C, and this is then subjected to a cold
working or warm working having a working ratio of not less than 40%, and is then subjected
to an aging heat treatment at 500 to 800°C for 0.1 to 50 hours.
[0032] Moreover, with respect to applications of the Co-Ni base heat-resistant alloy of
the present invention, it is applied to parts and devices such as exhaust-related
parts such as engine exhaust manifolds, peripheral devices of gas turbines, furnace
chamber materials, heat-resistant springs and heat-resistant bolts, in which Inconel
X750 or Inconel X718 has been used. It is also applied to parts and devices used under
higher temperature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033]
FIG. 1 is a graph that shows the relationship between the cold working ratio and the
tensile strength at room temperature and creep elongation of the Co-Ni base heat-resistant
alloy of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a graph that shows the relationship between the aging temperature and the
tensile strength at room temperature and creep elongation of the Co-Ni base heat-resistant
alloy of the present invention.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0034] The following description will discuss the present invention based upon examples.
Example 1
[0035] Alloys of an example and a comparative example of the present invention, which have
the component compositions shown in the following Table 1, were melted and prepared
through a normal method by using a vacuum high-frequency induction furnace to obtain
ingots of 30 kg. These ingots were formed into cylindrical bars each having a diameter
of 35 mm through a hot forging process. Those bars except for that of comparative
example 4 were subjected to a solution heat treatment at 1100°C, and then a cold working
at a working ratio of 85% to form cylindrical bars each having a diameter of 13.6
mm, and these were then subjected to an aging of 720°C x 4 hours. Moreover, the bar
of comparative example 4 was subjected to a solid solution heat treatment at 1050°C,
and was then subjected to an aging treatment of 725°C × 16 hours at a working ratio
of 30%. Tensile test pieces having a diameter of 8 mm at parallel portions were obtained
from these elements, and these were subjected to tensile tests at room temperature
to measure the tensile strength. Moreover, creep test pieces having a diameter of
6 mm at parallel portions with a distance between scores of 30 mm were obtained, and
these were subjected to creep test in which a stress of 330 MPa was applied thereto
at 700°C to measure the elongation 1000 hours later. Table 2 shows the results of
these tests.

Example 2
[0036] Cylindrical bars having a diameter of 35 mm of No. 6 alloy of the present invention
shown in Table 1 were subjected to a solid solution heat treatment at 1100°C, and
were then subjected to cold workings at working ratios of 35%, 45% and 60% (comparative
example 5, and examples 12 and 13 of the present invention), and these were then subjected
to an aging of 720°C × 4 hours. Tensile test pieces and creep test pieces were obtained
from these elements in the same manner as in example 1, and tensile tests and creep
tests were carried out on these under the same conditions as in example 1 to measure
the tensile strength and creep. Table 3 and Fig. 1 show the results of the tests.
Table 3
|
Cold working ratio (%) |
Tensile strength at room temperature (MPa) |
Creep elongation (%) 1000 hours later |
Comparative example 5 |
35 |
1589 |
3.8 |
Example 12 of the present invention |
45 |
1853 |
1.9 |
Example 13 of the present invention |
60 |
1971 |
1.2 |
Example 6 of the present invention |
85 |
2256 |
1.0 |
Creep elongation was measured by creep tests carried out under conditions of 700°C,
330MPa. |
Example 3
[0037] Cylindrical bars having a diameter of 35 mm of No. 10 alloy of the present invention
shown in Table 1 were subjected to a solid solution heat treatment at 1100°C and to
cold working at working ratio of 85%, and were then subjected to an aging under conditions
shown in Table 4 (comparative examples 6 and 7, examples 14 and 15 of the present
invention). Tensile test pieces and creep test pieces were obtained from these elements
in the same manner as in example 1, and tensile tests and creep tests were carried
out on these under the same conditions as in example 1 to measure the tensile strength
and creep. Table 4 and Fig. 2 show the results of the tests.
Table 4
|
Aging temperature (°C) |
Heating time (hr) |
Tensile strength at room temperature (MPa) |
Creep elongation (%) 1000 hours later |
Comparative example 6 |
450 |
16 |
1795 |
2.1 |
Example 14 of the present invention |
550 |
32 |
2069 |
1.2 |
Example 15 of the present invention |
650 |
16 |
2226 |
1.1 |
Example 10 of the present invention |
720 |
4 |
2148 |
1.1 |
Comparative example 7 |
850 |
4 |
1314 |
4.8 |
Creep elongation was measured by creep tests carried out under conditions of 700°C,
330MPa. |
[0038] The results of Table 1 and Table 2 show that, in the examples of the present invention,
the tensile strength at room temperature was set in a range of 2148 to 2775 MPa, and
the creep elongation was set to be 0.7 to 1.1%.
[0039] In contrast, in the case of comparative example 1 in which the Cr content was greater
than that of the present invention, the tensile strength at room temperature was 1991
MPa which was lower than 93% of the examples of the present invention with the creep
elongation being 1.4 times greater than that of the example of the present invention.
[0040] Moreover, in the case of comparative example 2 in which the Cr content was greater
than the present invention with Mo being greater than comparative example 1, cracks
occurred in cold working, making it impossible to measure the tensile strength at
room temperature and creep elongation.
[0041] Furthermore, in the case of comparative example 3 in which the Cr content was greater
than the present invention with the Mo content being smaller than the present invention,
the tensile strength at room temperature was 1677 MPa which was lower than 78% of
the examples of the present invention with the creep elongation being 1.7 times greater
than that of the example of the present invention.
[0042] In the case of comparative example 4 of Inconel X750, the tensile strength at room
temperature was 1451 MPa which was lower than 68% of the examples of the present invention
with the creep elongation being not less than 2 times greater than that of the example
of the present invention.
[0043] The results in Table 3 show that, in the case of comparative example 5 having a cold
working ratio of 35%, which is lower than the cold working ratio of the example of
the present invention, the tensile strength at room temperature was 1589 MPa, which
was lower than that of the examples 12, 13 and 6 of the present invention, and the
creep elongation was 3.8% that was greater than the examples 12, 13 and 6 of the present
invention. The results of these show that the working ratio of cold working or warm
working must be set to be not less than 40%.
[0044] The results in Table 4 show that, in the case of comparative example 6 having an
aging treatment temperature of 450°C, which was lower than the aging temperature of
the present invention, the tensile strength at room temperature was 1795 MPa, which
was lower than the example of the present invention, and the creep elongation was
2.1%, which was greater than that of the present invention. Moreover, in the case
of comparative example 7 having an aging treatment temperature which was higher than
the aging temperature of the example of the present invention, the tensile strength
at room temperature was 1314 MPa, which was lower than the example of the present
invention, and the creep elongation was 4.8%, which was greater than that of the present
invention.
[0045] These results show that the aging treatment temperature must be set in a range of
500 to 800°C.
[0046] As described above, the Co-Ni base heat-resistant alloy of the present invention
has a higher strength at room temperature in comparison with Ni base super-heat-resistant
alloys that have been conventionally used, and is less susceptible to degradation
in strength even after long periods of use at high temperatures. Moreover, the preparation
method of the present invention makes it possible to prepare a Co-Ni base heat-resistant
alloy which has a higher strength at room temperature in comparison with Ni base super-heat-resistant
alloys that have been conventionally used, and is less susceptible to degradation
in strength even after long periods of use at high temperatures.