[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a high strength Ni-based superalloy having a high
strength.
[Background Art]
[0002] A Ni-based superalloy shows excellent mechanical characteristics at high temperatures
and is widely used as high-temperature members of aircraft jet engines, etc. In general,
adding a small amount of Al, Ti as well as Nb and Ta to a Ni-based alloy brings about
fine precipitation of a strengthening phase that is called a γ' (gamma prime) phase
of Ni
3(Al,Ti), or a γ" (gamma double prime) phase of Ni
3(Al,Ti,Nb) in crystal grains to express an excellent strength. For fuel consumption
reduction and CO
2 emission reduction in civil aircraft jet engines in recent years, a technical tendency
is toward an uncooled low-pressure turbine disk in jet engines. With such an uncooling
technology, a low-pressure turbine disk has become desired to have a high strength
at higher temperatures, and development of an alloy having an increased strength by
increasing the amount of the above-mentioned strengthening phase therein is being
made. However, with the increase in the precipitated phase, the hot workability of
the alloy lowers, and therefore, the alloy becomes difficult to work into a desired
shape. Accordingly, it is important to secure hot workability of an alloy while increasing
the strength thereof.
[0003] A Ni-based superalloy generally contains large quantities of alloying elements,
and in smelting the alloy, there may occur in any way, unevenness in compositional
distribution, that is, micro-segregation. In the micro-segregated part, the solidus
temperature is lower than that of the other part, and therefore, when overheated,
the micro-segregated part may be partially melted to lower the hot workability of
the alloy. Accordingly, before hot working, the alloy must be heat-treated under a
suitable condition to relax the micro-segregation.
[0004] Heretofore, some proposes have been made for a Ni-based superalloy having excellent
hot workability or a technique of improving the hot workability of a Ni-based alloy
(Patent Documents 1 to 3).
[Background-Art Documents]
[Patent Documents]
[Summary of the Invention]
[Problems that the Invention is to Solve]
[0006] For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 propose a Ni-based superalloy excellent in
weldability and hot workability. However, these documents refer to nothing relating
to hot workability from the viewpoint of the above-mentioned micro-segregation, and
there is a possibility of absence of any suitable evaluation therein. Further, in
these, the contents of Al and Ti capable of contributing to formation of a strengthening
phase are smaller than those in the present invention, and therefore, a strengthening
phase in an amount required by low-pressure turbine disks to which the present invention
is intended to be applied could not be formed, that is, there is a possibility that
the strength of the alloys may be insufficient. Also, Patent Documents 3 refers to
nothing relating to the relationship between micro-segregation and hot workability,
and it is unclear whether alloy production would be carried out under a suitable condition.
[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation,
and an object thereof is to provide a Ni-based superalloy excellent in strength and
hot workability.
[Means for Solving the Problem]
[0008] Namely, the present invention relates to the following (1) to (5).
- (1) A high strength Ni-based superalloy having a composition including, in terms of
% by mass:
C: 0.005 to 0.05%;
Fe: 0.1 to 2.0%;
Cr: 10 to 20%;
Co: 10 to 20%;
Mo: 1.0 to 8.0%;
W: 1.0 to 8.0%;
Ti: 0.1 to 2.0%;
Al: 2.0 to 4.5%; and
Nb: 0.1 to 2.0%,
with the balance being Ni and unavoidable impurities.
The composition of the high strength Ni-based superalloy further optionally includes,
in terms of ppm by mass, at least one of:
P:30 to 100 ppm; and
B: 50 to 250 ppm.
The composition of the high strength Ni-based superalloy further optionally includes,
in terms of % by mass, at least one of:
Mg: 0.01% or less; and
Zr: 0.01 to 0.50%.
- (2) The high strength Ni-based superalloy according to (1), having a γ' phase amount
at 700°C of 40 to 43% in terms of volume fraction.
- (3) The high strength Ni-based superalloy according to (1) to (2), having a γ' phase
amount at 1100°C or lower.
- (4) The high strength Ni-based superalloy according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein
a temperature range within which a reduction of area of the superalloy evaluated in
a tensile test is 50% or more, is 120°C or higher.
- (5) The high strength Ni-based superalloy according to any one of (1) to (4), which
is used at a temperature of 600°C or higher.
[Advantages of the Invention]
[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a Ni-based superalloy
having a high strength and excellent hot workability.
[0010] Furthermore, as a secondary effect, application of the alloy of the present invention
to memebers of high-temperature instruments such as low-pressure turbine disks of
jet engines and the like (for example, used at a temperature of 600°C or higher) brings
about an effect of providing highly-efficient and environment-friendly instruments.
[Brief description of the drawings]
[0011]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a graph showing a relationship between a reduction of area and
a temperature in the tensile test in Examples.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a graph showing a relationship between a reduction of area and
a temperature in the tensile test in Examples.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a graph showing the temperature range within which the reduction
of area is 50% or more in Examples.
[Modes for Carrying Out the Invention]
[0012] The following will explain the conditions defined in the present invention and the
effects associated therewith. Every component is expressed by ratio by mass.
[0013] Here, "% by mass", "ratio by mass", and "ppm by mass" are the same as "% by weight",
"ratio by weight", and "ppm by weight", respectively.
C: 0.005 to 0.05%
[0014] C is an additive element to form a carbide to suppress crystal grain coarsening of
the alloy, and to precipitate in a grain boundary to improve the high-temperature
strength of the alloy; but when the content thereof is small, it is not effective
for sufficiently improving the strength, and therefore, the content of C must be 0.005%
or more. However, when the content thereof is too large, an excessive carbide may
be formed to have a negative influence of decreasing the amount of other useful precipitates
such as a γ'-phase, and therefore, the upper limit thereof is 0.05%. For the same
reasons, the lower limit thereof is preferably 0.01% and the upper limit thereof is
preferably 0.02%.
Fe: 0.1 to 2.0%
[0015] Fe is, when the content thereof is increased, effective for alloy cost reduction,
but when Fe is incorporated excessively in an Nb-containing alloy, an intermetallic
compound called a Laves phase is formed to cause worsening of material characteristics,
for example, degradation of hot rollability, etc. Accordingly, the content of Fe is
0.1 to 2.0%. For the same reasons, the lower limit thereof is preferably 0.5% and
the upper limit thereof is preferably 1.5%.
Co: 10 to 20%
[0016] Co is an element of improving the segregation property of the alloy by bringing the
partition coefficient of alloying elements such as Al, Ti, Nb and W close to 1. When
the alloy does not contain Co in an amount of 10% or more, the effect could not be
sufficiently realized. On the other hand, when the content of Co is more than 20%,
not only the forgeability is worsened but also a Laves phase may be readily formed,
whereby, the matrix texture at a high temperature would be rather destabilized and
the high-temperature texture stability would be worsened. Accordingly, the content
of Co is limited to a range of 10 to 20%. For the same reasons, the lower limit thereof
is preferably 12% and the upper limit thereof is preferably 16%.
Mo: 1.0 to 8.0%
[0017] Mo mainly dissolves in a matrix to strengthen it, and also dissolves in a γ' phase
to substitute for the Al site in this phase to thereby increase the stability of the
phase, and is therefore effective for increasing both high-temperature strength and
texture stability. When the content of Mo is less than 1.0%, the above-mentioned effect
is insufficient, but when the content thereof is more than 8.0%, a Laves phase may
be readily formed, whereby the matrix texture at a high temperature would be rather
destabilized and the high-temperature texture stability would be worsened. Accordingly,
the content of Mo is limited to a range of 1.0 to 8.0%. For the same reasons, the
lower limit thereof is preferably 2.0% and the upper limit thereof is preferably 6.0%.
W: 1.0 to 8.0%
[0018] Like Mo, W also dissolves in a matrix to strengthen it, and dissolves in a γ' phase
to substitute for the Al site in this phase to thereby increase the stability of the
phase, and is therefore effective for increasing both high-temperature strength and
texture stability. However, when W is incorporated excessively, not only α-W precipitates
to lower texture stability but also hot workability is also noticeably worsened. Accordingly,
the content of W is limited to a range of 1.0 to 8.0%. For the same reasons, the lower
limit thereof is preferably 2.0% and the upper limit thereof is preferably 6.0%.
Cr: 10 to 20%
[0019] Cr is an element necessary for enhancing oxidation resistance, corrosion resistance
and strength of the alloy. Also, it combines with C to form a carbide, thereby enhancing
high-temperature strength. However, too large content thereof invites destabilization
of matrix and promotes the formation of harmful TCP phases such as a σ phase and α-Cr,
resulting in adverse influences on ductility and toughness. Therefore, the content
of Cr is limited to 10 to 20%. For the same reasons, the lower limit thereof is preferably
14% and the upper limit thereof is preferably 18%.
Ti: 0.1 to 2.0%
[0020] Ti mainly forms an MC carbide to suppress crystal grain coarsening of the alloy and
also combines with Ni to precipitate a γ' phase, thereby contributing to precipitation
strengthening of the alloy. However, when Ti is exceedingly incorporated, the stability
of the γ' phase at a high temperature is lowered and an η phase is formed, thereby
impairing strength, ductility, toughness, and high-temperature long-term texture stability.
Therefore, the content of Ti is limited to a range of 0.1 to 2.0%. For the same reasons,
the lower limit thereof is preferably 0.5% and the upper limit thereof is preferably
1.5%.
Al: 2.0 to 4.5%
[0021] Al combines with Ni to precipitate a γ' phase, thereby contributing to precipitation
strengthening of the alloy. However, when the content thereof is too large, the γ'
phase aggregates at grain boundaries and is coarsened, thereby drastically impairing
mechanical properties at a high temperature and also lowering hot workability. Therefore,
the content of Al is limited to 2.0 to 4.5%. For the same reasons, the lower limit
thereof is preferably 3.0% and the upper limit thereof is preferably 4.0%.
Nb: 0.1 to 2.0%
[0022] Nb is an element that stabilizes the γ' phase and contributes to strength enhancement,
but when Nb is exceedingly incorporated, the precipitation of the η phase, the σ phase,
and the Laves phase that are harmful phases is promoted, thereby remarkably lowering
texture stability. Therefore, the content ofNb is limited to 0.1 to 2.0%. For the
same reasons, the lower limit thereof is preferably 0.5% and the upper limit thereof
is preferably 1.5%.
P: 30 to 100 ppm
[0023] P is considered to have an effect of reducing local strain accumulation near grain
boundaries to prevent creep deformation by depositing precipitates containing P at
grain boundaries, thereby lowering the minimum creep speed and prolonging the creep
rupture time. However, when P is exceedingly incorporated, there is a possibility
that grain boundary segregation of P becomes excessive to lower the consistency of
the grain boundaries, thereby causing ductility reduction and the like. Therefore,
when P is incorporated according to the necessity, it is desirable that the lower
limit of the content of P is 30 ppm and the upper limit thereof is 100 ppm. For the
same reasons, the lower limit thereof is more preferably 40 ppm and the upper limit
thereof is more preferably 80 ppm.
B: 50 to 250 ppm
[0024] B segregates at grain boundaries to contribute to high-temperature characteristics,
and is therefore incorporated according to the necessity. However, when the content
thereof is too large, B may readily form borides thereof and would rather bring about
intergranular embrittlement. Accordingly, when B is incorporated according to the
necessity, the content of B is preferably 250 ppm or less. For sufficiently realizing
the above-described effect, the content thereof is preferably 50 ppm or more, and
for the same reasons as above, the lower limit thereof is more preferably 100 ppm
and the upper limit thereof is more preferably 200 ppm.
Mg: 0.01% or less
[0025] Mg mainly combines with S to form a sulfide and enhances hot workability, so that
Mg is incorporated according to the necessity. However, when the content thereof is
too large, the grain boundaries are contrarily embrittled and hot workability decreases.
Accordingly, when Mg is incorporated according to the necessity, the content of Mg
is preferably 0.01% or less. Incidentally, for sufficiently exhibiting the above-described
effect, the lower limit of the Mg content is preferably 0.0005% or more.
Zr: 0.01 to 0.50%
[0026] Zr segregates at grain boundaries to contribute to an improvement in high-temperature
characteristics, so that Zr is incorporated according to the necessity. However, when
Zr is exceedingly incorporated, the hot workability of the alloy is lowered. Accordingly,
when Zr is incorporated according to the necessity, the content of Zr is preferably
0.50% or less. In order to obtain the above-described effect, it is preferable to
incorporate Zr in an amount of 0.01% or more.
γ' phase amount at 700°C being 40 to 43% in terms of volume fraction.
[0027] When the γ' phase amount at 700°C in terms of volume fraction is appropriate, a desired
strength can be realized. When it is lower than 40%, the strength would be too low
and desired characteristics of members could not be satisfied. On the other hand,
when it is more than 43%, the strength would be excessive to lower the toughness of
members. Accordingly, it is desirable that the γ' phase amount at 700°C is 40 to 43%
in terms of volume fraction.
[0028] The γ' phase amount in terms of volume fraction may be controlled by varying the
balance of Al and Ti that are the constituent elements of the γ' phase.
γ' phase solution temperature being 1100°C or lower.
[0029] When the γ' phase solution temperature is 1100°C or lower, the temperature range
within which the alloy exhibits good hot workability can be expanded to lower temperatures,
thereby enabling effective bloom-forging at lower temperatures. The γ' phase solution
temperature can be controlled by varying the balance of Al and Ti that are the constituent
elements of the γ' phase.
[0030] Temperature range within which reduction of area is 50% or more being 120°C or higher.
[0031] In the present invention, the temperature range that realizes excellent hot workability
is expanded, and in a one-time bloom-forging step, a cast structure can be more effectively
destroyed. When the temperature range is less than 120°C, the temperature range capable
of realizing excellent hot workability may narrow, and multiple bloom-forging steps
would be necessary for sufficiently destroying a cast structure, thereby resulting
in cost increase. Hot working can be carried out, for example, in a temperature range
of 900°C to 1150°C. However, in the present invention, the temperature range for hot
working is not limited to the above-described temperature range.
[0032] The temperature range within which the reduction of area is 50% or more is preferably
120°C or higher, and the temperature range can be controlled by varying the balance
of Al and Ti that are the constituent elements of the γ' phase, and the balance of
Cr, Mo and Nb that are micro-segregation elements.
[0033] The Ni-based alloy of the present invention is controlled to have a composition including,
in terms of % by mass, C: 0.005 to 0.05%, Fe: 0.1 to 2.0%, Cr: 10 to 20%, Co: 10 to
20%, Mo: 1.0 to 8.0%, W: 1.0 to 8.0%, Ti: 0.1 to 2.0%, Al: 2.0 to 4.5%, and Nb: 0.1
to 2.0%, with the balance being Ni and unavoidable impurities. The composition may
further include according to the necessity, in terms of ppm by mass, at least one
of P: 30 to 100 ppm, and B: 50 to 250 ppm, and also according to the necessity, at
least one of Mg: 0.01% or less, and Zr: 0.01 to 0.50%.
[0034] The Ni-based alloy of the present invention can be produced according to an ordinary
smelting method and, as the invention, the smelting method is not particularly limited.
[0035] After smelted, the Ni-based alloy may be subjected to diffusion heat treatment. In
this embodiment, an ingot of 5 tons or more is expected in smelting. In the present
invention, although the size of products is not specifically limited, the effect of
improving hot workability for large-size members of 5 tons or more brings about especially
favorable results.
[0036] Diffusion heat treatment can be carried out under the condition at 1200°C for 50
hours or more. For preventing cost increase, the treatment time is preferably 100
hours or less.
[0037] In the present invention, diffusion heat treatment may be omitted.
[0038] The Ni-based alloy may be worked for forging or the like, according to the necessity.
The condition in working is not specifically limited in the present invention.
[0039] In working the Ni-based alloy of the present invention, the γ' phase amount at 700°C
is 40 to 43% in terms of volume fraction, the γ' phase solution temperature is 1100°C
or lower, and the temperature range within which the reduction of area of the alloy
in a tensile test is 50% or more, is 120°C or higher; and the alloy realizes good
hot workability.
[0040] In this embodiment, an Ni-based superalloy that has improved hot workability and
contains a sufficient amount of a strengthening phase to secure the strength thereof
can be obtained. The strength is, for example, 1050 MPa or more at 750°C, but is not
limited thereto.
[0041] The above-described Ni-based alloy is favorably used in the field where a temperature
of 600°C or higher is expected, such as low-pressure turbine disks of jet engines
and gas turbine disks for high-efficiency power generation.
[Examples]
[0042] Examples of the present invention are described with reference to the tables and
the drawings given herein.
[0043] The material was a 25-kg round ingot produced according to a vacuum induction melting
method, and nine invention alloys and one comparative alloy were produced. The chemical
components (with the balance being unavoidable impurities) of the invention alloys
and the comparative alloy are shown in Table 1.
[0044] The γ' phase amount at 700°C and the γ' phase solution temperature of the invention
alloys and the comparative alloy are calculated using a general-purpose thermodynamic
calculation software (Thermo-Calc). Table 2 collectively shows them.
[0045] For solving the unevenness of the compositional distribution owing to micro-segregation
that is generally expected in a Ni-based superalloy, these materials were, except
some samples, subjected to diffusion heat treatment at 1200°C for 50 hours, and then
the test materials were machined to give tensile test pieces.
[Table 1]
Sample No. |
Chemical Composition of Invention Alloy and Comparative Alloy (mass%, but mass ppm
for B and P) |
Ni |
Fe |
Cr |
Co |
Mo |
W |
Al |
Ti |
Nb |
C |
B |
Zr |
P |
Comparative Alloy |
Bal. |
0.9 |
15.4 |
13.8 |
3.8 |
4.1 |
2.2 |
3.8 |
0.7 |
0.016 |
170 |
- |
50 |
Invention Alloy 1 |
Bal. |
0.5 |
14.3 |
12.3 |
2.9 |
5.8 |
4.0 |
1.2 |
0.8 |
0.016 |
102 |
0.01 |
55 |
Invention Alloy 2 |
Bal. |
0.9 |
17.5 |
13.4 |
2.0 |
4.9 |
3.7 |
0.5 |
1.2 |
0.017 |
198 |
0.01 |
40 |
Invention Alloy 3 |
Bal. |
1.0 |
15.7 |
15.3 |
5.9 |
2.8 |
3.6 |
1.5 |
0.9 |
0.012 |
154 |
0.03 |
48 |
Invention Alloy 4 |
Bal. |
0.8 |
16.1 |
14.2 |
4.0 |
3.9 |
3.6 |
1.0 |
0.5 |
0.014 |
183 |
0.06 |
69 |
Invention Alloy 5 |
Bal. |
1.3 |
15.2 |
15.8 |
3.9 |
4.8 |
3.3 |
1.3 |
1.2 |
0.011 |
133 |
0.12 |
41 |
Invention Alloy 6 |
Bal. |
1.5 |
17.8 |
13.0 |
4.0 |
2.0 |
3.1 |
1.2 |
1.4 |
0.019 |
117 |
0.48 |
80 |
Invention Alloy 7 |
Bal. |
1.0 |
16.0 |
13.2 |
5.0 |
4.0 |
3.7 |
1.2 |
1.2 |
0.015 |
- |
- |
- |
Invention Alloy 8 |
Bal. |
1.0 |
16.0 |
13.2 |
5.0 |
4.0 |
3.7 |
1.2 |
1.2 |
0.015 |
- |
0.03 |
- |
Invention Alloy 9 |
Bal. |
1.0 |
16.0 |
13.2 |
5.0 |
4.0 |
3.7 |
1.2 |
1.2 |
0.015 |
120 |
- |
70 |
[0046] The tensile test was performed as follows.
[0047] Based on the Japanese Industrial Standards, JIS Z 2241:2011, each test piece had
a diameter in the parallel part of 6 mm and a mark-to-mark distance of 30 mm. The
test temperature range was 950 to 1225°C, and the following method was employed for
avoiding the influence to be provided by the difference in the crystal grain size.
Specifically, in the case where the test temperature was 1150°C or higher, the test
piece was kept at the test temperature for 30 minutes and then subjected to the tensile
test. In the case where the tensile temperature was lower than 1150°C, the test piece
was once kept at 1150°C for 30 minutes, then cooled down to the test temperature,
and further kept at the test temperature for 15 minutes to thereby stabilize the temperature
thereof, and thereafter subjected to the tensile test. The strain speed in the tensile
test was 3 × 10
-2 s
-1 in every case.
[0048] In this description, the contents of JIS Z 2241:2011 are hereby incorporated by reference.
[Table 2]
Sample No. |
γ' Phase Amount at 700°C (vol.%) |
γ' Phase Solution Temperature (°C) |
Comparative Alloy |
38.6 |
1114 |
Invention Alloy 1 |
42.1 |
1092 |
Invention Alloy 2 |
42.5 |
1093 |
Invention Alloy 3 |
41.8 |
1093 |
Invention Alloy 4 |
41.9 |
1093 |
Invention Alloy 5 |
42.0 |
1093 |
Invention Alloy 6 |
43.1 |
1094 |
Invention Alloy 7 |
42.1 |
1092 |
Invention Alloy 8 |
42.2 |
1092 |
Invention Alloy 9 |
42.1 |
1092 |
[0049] As in Table 2, all the invention alloys have a larger γ' phase amount at 700°C, from
42.0 to 43.1%, than the comparative alloy. In addition, the γ' phase solution temperature
in the invention alloys is lower than that in the comparative alloy, that is, lower
than 1100°C.
[0050] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 each show a relationship between a reduction of area and a temperature
of the invention alloys and the comparative alloy. The maximum reduction of area is
almost the same between the invention alloys and the comparative alloy, but the temperature
range within which the reduction of area is 50% or more is broader for the invention
alloys than that for the comparative alloy. The broader temperature range means that
the forgeable temperature range is broad and the hot workability of the alloy is good.
[0051] Fig. 3 shows the temperature range within which the reduction of area is 50% or more
for the invention alloys and the comparative alloy. The temperature range for the
comparative alloy is 120°C, but all the invention alloys shown in Fig. 3 show a temperature
range higher than that for the comparative alloy. Accordingly, it becomes clear that
the invention alloys are excellent in hot workability.