Improving the Oxidation Resistance in Advanced Single Crystal Nickel- Based Superalloys for Turbine Applications

摘要

The focus of this project was the examination of the role of yttrium and other alloying elements on the microstructure and oxidation performance of improved single crystal nickel-based superalloys for advanced turbine applications. The microstructure and microchemistry of both base and modified alloys and their surface oxides have been measured with state-of-the-art microanalytical techniques (atom probe field ion microscopy) and then correlated with identifying the partitioning behavior of the elemental additions in these superalloys before and after burner rig and engine-test oxidation performance. The overall technical goals included; (1) identifying the partitioning behavior of the elemental additions in these superalloys before and after burner rig and engine tests and the effect on the misfit energy between the phases in the alloys; (2) examining the oxidation performance of these newly-developed alloys; (3) identifying the influence of pre-oxidation processing on the subsequent oxidation performance; and (4) relating the microstrutural and microchemical observations to the observed performance of these superalloys. The comparison of the base and modified alloys will produce a better understanding of the interaction between chemistry, structure, and performance in superalloys. In addition, it will lead to optimized alloys with improved performance including enhanced durability in the operating environments at the elevated temperature required to improve energy efficiency. The availability of alloys capable of higher temperature operation will minimize the need for expensive coatings in extreme temperature applications.