Alloying nickel-based alloys

Corrosion Resistance of Nickel-based Alloys. Nickel-based alloys are solid solutions based on nickel. Nickel-based alloys used for low-temperature aqueous or condensed systems are generally known as corrosion-resistant alloys (CRA), and nickel alloys used for high-temperature applications are known as heat-resistant alloys (HRA), high-temperature alloys (HTA), or superalloys. The corrosion performance could change due to the presence of second phase or a weld seam. (Rebak)5... 

Heat transport system piping in most PWRs (Fig. 1) is fabricated from carbon and low-alloy steels, for strength and economy, and clad with roll bonded or weld deposited corrosion-resistant cladding (either stainless steel or high-nickel alloys). Nickel-base alloys are used extensively as weld fillers for cladding and for joints between alloy steels and stainless steels for their superior corrosion resistance. 

Nickel-based alloys. Nickel-based alloys such as Inconel 625, Hastelloys C-276 and C-22, and titanium are not subject to pitting or crevice corrosion in low-velocity seawater, nor do they suffer impingement attack at high velocity. However, price limits their use to special applications in seawater systems. 

Following the publication of a first set of four volumes of SGTE compiled thermodynamic properties of inorganic substances, which dealt with pure substances (Subvolume A), this second set of four volumes presents selected thermodynamic data for binary alloy systems (Subvolume B). The possibility to continue to ternary and multi-component systems is also foreseen. The data in the latter would be so presented as to correspond to potential application themes (steels, light alloys, nickel-base alloys, etc.). The fundamental equations used in evaluating the data are given in the introduction to the volumes and the models used in representing the data are also described. 

It is used in certain nickel-based alloys, such as the "Hastelloys(R)" which are heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant to chemical solutions. Molybdenum oxidizes at elevated temperatures. The metal has found recent application as electrodes for electrically heated glass furnaces and foreheaths. The metal is also used in nuclear energy applications and for missile and aircraft parts. Molybdenum is valuable as a catalyst in the refining of petroleum. It has found applications as a filament material in electronic and electrical applications. Molybdenum is an... 

Plain Carbon and Low Alloy Steels. For the purposes herein plain carbon and low alloy steels include those containing up to 10% chromium and 1.5% molybdenum, plus small amounts of other alloying elements. These steels are generally cheaper and easier to fabricate than the more highly alloyed steels, and are the most widely used class of alloys within their serviceable temperature range. Figure 7 shows relaxation strengths of these steels and some nickel-base alloys at elevated temperatures (34). 

Table 9. Composition of Iron—Nickel-Base Alloys, wt %...

Tables 10 and 11 list typical compositions of cast and wrought cobalt-base alloys, respectively. Stress—mpture properties of two wrought cobalt alloys, Haynes 188 and L-605, are compared to those of iron—nickel alloys ia Figure 10 (49). The cobalt alloys generally are inferior ia strength to the strongest cast nickel-base superaHoys. Tensile strengths at low and iatermediate temperatures are particularly deficient for the cobalt alloys.

Fresh reducing gas is generated by reforming natural gas with steam. The natural gas is heated in a recuperator, desulfurized to less than 1 ppm sulfur, mixed with superheated steam, further preheated to 620°C in another recuperator, then reformed in alloy tubes filled with nickel-based catalyst at a temperature of 830°C. The reformed gas is quenched to remove water vapor, mixed with clean recycled top gas from the shaft furnace, reheated to 925°C in an indirect fired heater, and injected into the shaft furnace. For high (above 92%) metallization a CO2 removal unit is added in the top gas recycle line in order to upgrade the quaUty of the recycled top gas and reducing gas. 

Using rapid solidification technology molten metal is quench cast at a cooling rate up to 10 °C/s as a continuous ribbon. This ribbon is subsequently pulverized to an amorphous powder. RST powders include aluminum alloys, nickel-based superalloys, and nanoscale powders. RST conditions can also exist in powder atomization. 

Porous parts and bearings are made by both the press and sinter techniques, whereas filters are made by loose powder sintering. The metals most commonly used for P/M porous products are bron2e, stainless steel (type 316), nickel-base alloys (Monel, Inconel, nickel), titanium, and aluminum. 

In the sheet-forming process, stainless steel, bronze, nickel-base alloys, or titanium powders are mixed with a thermosetting plastic and presintered to polymerize the plastic. Sintering takes place in wide, shallow trays. The specified porosity is achieved by selecting the proper particle size of the powder. Sheet is available in a variety of thicknesses between 16 x 30 mm and as much as 60 x 150 cm. A sheet can be sheared, roUed, and welded into different configurations. 

Because of constitutional complexity, the exact chemistries of nickel-base superalloys must be controlled carehiUy in order to avoid the precipitation of deleterious topologically close-packed (TCP) phases and extraneous carbides after long-term high temperature exposure. Heat-treatment schedules and thermomechanical treatments in the case of wrought alloys also are important to provide optimum strength and performance. 

Many instances of intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) of stainless steel and nickel-based alloys have occurred in the reactor water systems of BWRs. IGSCC, first observed in the recirculation piping systems (21) and later in reactor vessel internal components, has been observed primarily in the weld heat-affected zone of Type 304 stainless steel. 

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