Study on Interface Microstructure and Bonding Properties of Hot-Rolled Nickel-Based Composite Plate

In this paper, the interface microstructure, elements’ diffusion features at the interface, and bonding properties in nickel-based alloy/carbon steel clad composite prepared by vacuum hot-roll bonding were investigated, comprehensively. The influence of element distribution on the interface bonding strength was revealed as well. The results showed that there was a 13 μm thick diffusion layer at the interface of nickel-based alloy/carbon steel composite plate, which was beneficial to a strong bond between nickel-based alloy and carbon steel, as well as the stable transition of mechanical properties in the thickness direction. Kirkendall voids and fine-grained structure (the grain size is about 41.5 nm) were observable by peeling off the nickel-based alloy cladding, which greatly promoted element diffusion and enhanced the interfacial bonding strength of the nickel-based alloy/carbon steel composite plate. The diffusion coefficient of Ni at the interface was about 2 orders of magnitude larger than that of nanocrystalline Fe. The shear strength reached up to 453 MPa, which was much higher than the minimum of 140 MPa defined in ASTM A-264 specifications. Furthermore, in the shear test, the fracture occurred on the X52 carbon steel side at the contact rather than at the composite plate interface.

Growth and Coalescence of γ’-Precipitates in Nickel-Based Alloy 115NC during Slow Cooling for Membrane Manufacturing

By coarsening of the γ’-precipitates and selective extraction of one of the two existing phases, porous structures can be produced from nickel-based superalloys. There are two basic approaches to achieve a bicontinuous γ/γ’-microstructure—directional and incoherent coarsening. Single crystalline superalloy membranes are produced by the so-called rafting of the microstructure, i.e., directional coarsening. Unlike this process, incoherently coarsened membranes lack a detailed understanding of the mechanisms leading to cross-linking of the precipitates. In this paper, the growth and coalescence of precipitates during initial slow cooling from above the γ’ solvus temperature was studied. In addition to the three-dimensional morphological changes of the precipitates, it is also shown that only little coalescence of the particles occurs despite the high γ’ content and, therefore, their very small distance. The loss of coherency that occurs during this part of coarsening must first advance through further aging before a bicontinuous microstructure is formed.

Investigation of the Influence of Direct Metal Deposition Modes on Microstructure and Formation of Defects in Samples of Heat Resistant Alloy

The article discusses the influence of technological modes of the DMD method on the macro- and microstructure of a heat-resistant nickel-based alloy to use this technology for heat-resistant materials in the manufacture of parts for combustion chambers in gas turbine plants.

Fireside Corrosion of Heat Exchanger Materials for Advanced Solid Fuel Fired Power Plants

To address the challenge of climate change, future energy systems need to have reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased efficiencies. For solid fuel fired combustion plants, one route towards achieving this is to increase the system’s steam temperatures and pressures. Another route is to co-fire renewable fuels (such as biomass) with coals. Fireside corrosion performance of two candidate superheater/reheater alloys has been characterised at higher heat exchanger surface temperature. Samples of the alloys (a stainless steel, Sanicro 25 and a nickel-based alloy, IN740) were exposed in fireside corrosion tests at 650 °C, 700 °C and 750 °C, in controlled atmosphere furnaces using the ‘deposit recoat’ test method to simulate superheater/reheater exposure for 1000 h. After exposure, the samples were analysed using dimensional metrology to determine the extent and distributions of corrosion damage in terms of surface recession and internal damage. At 650 °C, the stainless steel and nickel-based alloy performed similarly, while at 700 °C and above, the median damage to the steel was at least 3 times greater than for the nickel-based alloy. Optical and electronic microscopy studies were used to study samples’ damage morphologies after exposure. Intergranular damage and pits were found in sample cross sections, while chromium depletion was found in areas with internal damage. For high-temperature applications, the higher cost of the nickel-based alloy could be offset by the longer life they would allow in plant with higher operating temperatures.