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org
Superalloys: A Technical Guide (#06128G)

Chapter 1

Superalloys for High

Temperatures—a Primer

How and When to Use This Chapter in the field, check the table of contents and
index for valuable insights into what you can
It is always difficult to locate concise but find in each succeeding chapter.
precise information on a subject. Executives
and managers, particularly in industries using
few superalloys, often need just basic infor- Some History
mation with the least extraneous or amplify-
ing data. Purchasing agents or communica- Designers have long had a need for
tions experts need a modest knowledge base stronger, more corrosion-resistant materials
to do their jobs more appropriately. The en- for high-temperature applications. The stain-
gineer may need more detail but still just a less steels, developed and applied in the sec-
quick refresher about alloy types and design ond and third decades of the 20th century,
to start. The ability to lay hands on enough served as a starting point for the satisfaction
practical information to solve problems or of high-temperature engineering require-
answer questions about the superalloys is the ments. They soon were found to be limited
basis for this book. The ability to know in their strength capabilities. The metallurgi-
enough to ask questions and/or delve further cal community responded to increased needs
into the superalloy field is the basis for this by making what might be termed ‘‘super-al-
chapter! loys’’ of stainless varieties. Of course, it was
The primer provided in this chapter sup- not long before the hyphen was dropped and
ports such needs as those described previ- the improved iron-base materials became
ously by providing a concise overview of the known as superalloys. Concurrently, with the
major topics considered in the book, starting advent of World War II, the gas turbine be-
with a little history and then a statement came a high driver for alloy invention or ad-
about the nature of superalloys. This primer aptation. Although patents for aluminum and
introduces the reader simply and directly to titanium additions to Nichrome-type alloys
the wide variety of topics that must be con- were issued in the 1920s, the superalloy in-
sidered in the application of superalloys. As dustry emerged with the adaption of a cobalt
for the book, whether the user is familiar with alloy (Vitallium, also known as Haynes Stel-
basic superalloy metallurgy or is a complete lite 31) used in dentistry to satisfy high-tem-
novice, this book provides a single-volume perature strength requirements of aircraft en-
approach to the subject of superalloys. The- gines. Some nickel-chromium alloys (the
ory is kept to a minimum, with practical Inconels and Nimonics), based more or less,
knowledge stressed. one might say, on toaster wire (Nichrome, a
If you are new to the subject, start with nickel-chromium alloy developed in the first
this primer; it may be all that you need. If decade of the 20th century) were also avail-
you are somewhat or strongly knowledgeable able. So, the race was on to make superior
© 2002 ASM International. All Rights Reserved. www.asminternational.org
Superalloys: A Technical Guide (#06128G)

2 / Superalloys: A Technical Guide

metal alloys available for the insatiable thirst timate strength. However, when temperatures
of the designer for more high-temperature rise, particularly to temperatures (on an ab-
strength capability. It continues yet! solute temperature scale) of about 50% of the
melting point/range for an alloy, strengths
must be reckoned in terms of the time over
What Are Superalloys and What which they are measured. Thus, if a metal is
subjected to a load considerably less than the
Can You Do to Them?
load (stress) that would break it at room tem-
perature, but is at a high temperature, then the
Superalloys are nickel-, iron-nickel-, and
metal will begin to extend with time at load.
cobalt-base alloys generally used at temper-
This time-dependent extension is called
atures above about 1000 ⬚F (540 ⬚C). The
creep and, if allowed to continue long
iron-nickel-base superalloys such as the pop-
enough, will lead to fracture (or rupture, as
ular alloy IN-718 are an extension of stain-
it is called). Thus the creep strength of a
less steel technology and generally are
metal or its rupture strength (technically
wrought. Cobalt-base and nickel-base super-
called creep-rupture strength but more com-
alloys may be wrought or cast, depending on
monly called stress-rupture strength) or both
the application/composition involved.
are necessary components of understanding
A large number of alloys have been in-
its mechanical behavior just as much as are
vented and studied; many have been pat-
the customary yield and ultimate strengths.
ented. However, the many alloys have been
Similarly, the fatigue (cyclic) capability will
winnowed down over the years; only a few
be reduced. So, to fully validate the capabil-
are extensively used. Alloy use is a function
ity of a metal alloy, dependent on application
of industry (gas turbines, steam turbines,
temperature and load, it may be necessary to
etc.). Not all alloys can be mentioned; ex-
provide yield and ultimate strengths, creep
amples of older and newer alloys are used to
strengths, stress-rupture strengths, and appro-
demonstrate the physical metallurgy response
priate fatigue strengths. Related mechanical
of superalloy systems (see Chapters 3 and
properties such as dynamic modulus, crack
12). Figure 1.1 compares stress-rupture be-
growth rates, and fracture toughness also may
havior of the three alloy classes (iron-nickel-,
be required. Appropriate physical properties
nickel-, and cobalt-base). A representative
such as thermal expansion coefficient, den-
list of superalloys and compositions, empha-
sity, and so on complete the property list.
sizing alloys developed in the United States,
is given in Tables 1.1 and 1.2.
Appropriate compositions of superalloys
can be forged, rolled to sheet, or otherwise Basic Metallurgy of Superalloys
produced in a variety of shapes. The more
highly alloyed compositions normally are Iron, nickel, and cobalt are generally face-
processed as castings. Fabricated structures centered cubic (fcc-austenitic) in crystal
can be built up by welding or brazing, but structure when they are the basis for super-
many highly alloyed compositions containing alloys. However, the normal room-tempera-
a large amount of hardening phase are diffi- ture structures of iron and cobalt elemental
cult to weld. Properties can be controlled by metals are not fcc. Both iron and cobalt un-
adjustments in composition and by process- dergo transformations and become fcc at high
ing (including heat treatment), and excellent temperatures or in the presence of other ele-
elevated-temperature strengths are available ments alloyed with iron and cobalt. Nickel,
in finished products. on the other hand, is fcc at all temperatures.
In superalloys based on iron and cobalt, the
fcc forms of these elements thus are generally
stabilized by alloy element additions, partic-
A Short Review of the High- ularly nickel, to provide the best properties.
Temperature Strength of Metals The upper limit of use for superalloys is
not restricted by the occurrence of any allo-
At ordinary temperatures, the strengths of tropic phase transformation reactions but is a
most metals are measured in terms of short- function of incipient melting temperatures
time properties such as yield strength or ul- of alloys and dissolution of strengthening
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Superalloys: A Technical Guide (#06128G)

Superalloys for High Temperatures—a Primer / 3

Fig. 1.1 Stress-rupture strengths of superalloys

phases. Incipient melting is the melting that densities of about 0.322 lb/in.3 (8.9 g/cm3).
occurs in some part of the alloy that, when Iron-nickel-base superalloys have densities of
solidified, is not at equilibrium composition about 0.285 to 0.300 lb/in.3 (7.9 to 8.3 g/
and thus melts at a lower temperature than cm3); cobalt-base superalloys, about 0.300 to
that at which it might otherwise melt. All al- 0.340 lb/in.3 (8.3 to 9.4 g/cm3); and nickel-
loys have a melting range, so melting is not base superalloys, about 0.282 to 0.322 lb/in.3
at a specific temperature even if there is no (7.8 to 8.9 g/cm3). Superalloy density is in-
nonequilibrium segregation of alloy ele- fluenced by alloying additions: aluminum,
ments. Superalloys are strengthened not only titanium, and chromium reduce density,
by the basic nature of the fcc matrix and its whereas tungsten, rhenium, and tantalum in-
chemistry but also by the presence of spe- crease it. The corrosion resistance of super-
cial strengthening phases, usually precipi- alloys depends primarily on the alloying el-
tates. Working (mechanical deformation, of- ements added, particularly chromium and
ten cold) of a superalloy can also increase aluminum, and the environment experienced.
strength, but that strength may not endure at The melting temperatures of the pure ele-
high temperatures. ments are as follows: nickel, 2647 ⬚F (1453
Some tendency toward transformation of ⬚C); cobalt, 2723 ⬚F (1495 ⬚C); and iron,
the fcc phase to stable lower-temperature 2798 ⬚F (1537 ⬚C). Incipient (lowest) melting
phases occasionally occurs in cobalt-base su- temperatures and melting ranges of superal-
peralloys. The austenitic fcc matrices of su- loys are functions of composition and prior
peralloys have extended solubility for some processing. Generally, incipient melting tem-
alloying additions, excellent ductility, and peratures are greater for cobalt-base than
(iron-nickel- and nickel-base superalloys) for nickel- or iron-nickel-base superalloys.
favorable characteristics for precipitation of Nickel-base superalloys may show incipient
uniquely effective strengthening phases. melting at temperatures as low as 2200 ⬚F
Pure iron has a density of 0.284 lb/in.3 (1204 ⬚C). Advanced nickel-base single-crys-
(7.87 g/cm3), and pure nickel and cobalt have tal superalloys having limited amounts of
Table 1.1 Nominal compositions of wrought superalloys
Composition, %
Alloy Cr Ni Co Mo W Nb Ti Al Fe C Other
Solid-solution alloys
Iron-nickel-base
Alloy N-155 (Multimet) 21.0 20.0 20.0 3.00 2.5 1.0 ... ... 32.2 0.15 0.15 N, 0.2 La, 0.02 Zr
Haynes 556 22.0 21.0 20.0 3.0 2.5 0.1 ... 0.3 29.0 0.10 0.50 Ta, 0.02 La, 0.002 Zr
I9-9 DL 19.0 9.0 ... 1.25 1.25 0.4 0.3 ... 66.8 0.30 1.10 Mn, 0.60 Si
Incoloy 800 21.0 32.5 ... ... ... ... 0.38 0.38 45.7 0.05 ...
Incoloy 800H 21.0 33.0 ... ... ... ... ... ... 45.8 0.08 ...
Incoloy 800HT 21.0 32.5 ... ... ... ... 0.4 0.4 46.0 0.08 0.8 Mn, 0.5 Si, 0.4 Cu
Incoloy 801 20.5 32.0 ... ... ... ... 1.13 ... 46.3 0.05 ...
Incoloy 802 21.0 32.5 ... ... ... ... 0.75 0.58 44.8 0.35 ...
Nickel-base
Haynes 214 16.0 76.5 ... ... ... ... ... 4.5 3.0 0.03 ...
Haynes 230 22.0 55.0 5.0 max 2.0 14.0 ... ... 0.35 3.0 max 0.10 0.015 max B, 0.02 La
4 / Superalloys: A Technical Guide

Inconel 600 15.5 76.0 ... ... ... ... ... ... 8.0 0.08 0.25 Cu
Inconel 601 23.0 60.5 ... ... ... ... ... 1.35 14.1 0.05 0.5 Cu
Inconel 617 22.0 55.0 12.5 9.0 ... ... ... 1.0 ... 0.07 ...
Inconel 625 21.5 61.0 ... 9.0 ... 3.6 0.2 0.2 2.5 0.05 ...
Superalloys: A Technical Guide (#06128G)

RA333 25.0 45.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 ... ... ... 18.0 0.05 ...
Hastelloy B 1.0 max 63.0 2.5 max 28.0 ... ... ... ... 5.0 0.05 max 0.03 V
© 2002 ASM International. All Rights Reserved.

Hastelloy N 7.0 72.0 ... 16.0 ... ... 0.5 max ... 5.0 max 0.06 ...
Hastelloy S 15.5 67.0 ... 15.5 ... ... ... 0.2 1.0 0.02 max 0.02 La
Hastelloy W 5.0 61.0 2.5 max 24.5 ... ... ... ... 5.5 0.12 max 0.6 V
Hastelloy X 22.0 49.0 1.5 max 9.0 0.6 ... ... 2.0 15.8 0.15 ...
Hastelloy C-276 15.5 59.0 ... 16.0 3.7 ... ... ... 5.0 0.02 max ...
Haynes HR-120 25.0 37.0 3.0 2.5 2.5 0.7 ... 0.1 33.0 0.05 0.7 Mn, 0.6 Si, 0.2 N, 0.004 B
Haynes HR-160 28.0 37.0 29.0 ... ... ... ... ... 2.0 0.05 2.75 Si, 0.5 Mn
Nimonic 75 19.5 75.0 ... ... ... ... 0.4 0.15 2.5 0.12 0.25 max Cu
Nimonic 86 25.0 65.0 ... 10.0 ... ... ... ... ... 0.05 0.03 Ce, 0.015 Mg
Cobalt-base
Haynes 25 (L605) 20.0 10.0 50.0 ... 15.0 ... ... ... 3.0 0.10 1.5 Mn
Haynes 188 22.0 22.0 37.0 ... 14.5 ... ... ... 3.0 max 0.10 0.90 La
Alloy S-816 20.0 20.0 42.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 ... ... 4.0 0.38 ...
MP35-N 20.0 35.0 35.0 10.0 ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
MP159 19.0 25.0 36.0 7.0 ... 0.6 3.0 0.2 9.0 ... ...
Stellite B 30.0 1.0 61.5 ... 4.5 ... ... ... 1.0 1.0 ...
UMCo-50 28.0 ... 49.0 ... ... ... ... ... 21.0 0.12 ...
Precipitation-hardening alloys
Iron-nickel-base
A-286 15.0 26.0 ... 1.25 ... ... 2.0 0.2 55.2 0.04 0.005 B, 0.3 V
Discaloy 14.0 26.0 ... 3.0 ... ... 1.7 0.25 55.0 0.06 ...
Incoloy 903 0.1 max 38.0 15.0 0.1 ... 3.0 1.4 0.7 41.0 0.04 ...
Pyromet CTX-1 0.1 max 37.7 16.0 0.1 ... 3.0 1.7 1.0 39.0 0.03 ...
Incoloy 907 ... 38.4 13.0 ... ... 4.7 1.5 0.03 42.0 0.01 0.15 Si
Incoloy 909 ... 38.0 13.0 ... ... 4.7 1.5 0.03 42.0 0.01 0.4 Si
Incoloy 925 20.5 44.0 ... 2.8 ... ... 2.1 0.2 29 0.01 1.8 Cu

(continued)
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Table 1.1 (continued)
Composition, %

Alloy Cr Ni Co Mo W Nb Ti Al Fe C Other
Precipitation-hardening alloys (continued)
Iron-nickel-base (continued)
V-57 14.8 27.0 ... 1.25 ... ... 3.0 0.25 48.6 0.08 max 0.01 B, 0.5 max V
W-545 13.5 26.0 ... 1.5 ... ... 2.85 0.2 55.8 0.08 max 0.05 B
Nickel-base
Astroloy 15.0 56.5 15.0 5.25 ... ... 3.5 4.4 <0.3 0.06 0.03 B, 0.06 Zr
Custom Age 625 PLUS 21.0 61.0 ... 8.0 ... 3.4 1.3 0.2 5.0 0.01 ...
Haynes 242 8.0 62.5 2.5 max 25.0 ... ... ... 0.5 max 2.0 max 0.10 max 0.006 max B
Haynes 263 20.0 52.0 ... 6.0 ... ... 2.4 0.6 0.7 0.06 0.6 Mn, 0.4 Si, 0.2 Cu
Haynes R-41 19.0 52.0 11.0 10.0 ... ... 3.1 1.5 5.0 0.09 0.5 Si, 0.1 Mn, 0.006 B
Inconel 100 10.0 60.0 15.0 3.0 ... ... 4.7 5.5 <0.6 0.15 1.0 V, 0.06 Zr, 0.015 B
IN-100 10 60 15 3 ... ... 4.7 5.5 <0.6 0.15 0.06 Zr, 1.0 V
Inconel 102 15.0 67.0 ... 2.9 3.0 2.9 0.5 0.5 7.0 0.06 0.005 B, 0.02 Mg, 0.03 Zr
Superalloys: A Technical Guide (#06128G)

Incoloy 901 12.5 42.5 ... 6.0 ... ... 2.7 ... 36.2 0.10 max ...
Inconel 702 15.5 79.5 ... ... ... ... 0.6 3.2 1.0 0.05 0.5 Mn, 0.2 Cu, 0.4 Si
© 2002 ASM International. All Rights Reserved.

Inconel 706 16.0 41.5 ... ... ... ... 1.75 0.2 37.5 0.03 2.9 (Nb ⫹ Ta), 0.15 max Cu
Inconel 718 19.0 52.5 ... 3.0 ... 5.1 0.9 0.5 18.5 0.08 max 0.15 max Cu
Inconel 721 16.0 71.0 ... ... ... ... 3.0 ... 6.5 0.4 2.2 Mn, 0.1 Cu
Inconel 722 15.5 75.0 ... ... ... ... 2.4 0.7 7.0 0.04 0.5 Mn, 0.2 Cu, 0.4 Si
Inconel 725 21.0 57.0 ... 8.0 ... 3.5 1.5 0.35 max 9.0 0.03 max ...
Inconel 751 15.5 72.5 ... ... ... 1.0 2.3 1.2 7.0 0.05 0.25 max Cu
Inconel X-750 15.5 73.0 ... ... ... 1.0 2.5 0.7 7.0 0.04 0.25 max Cu
M-252 19.0 56.5 10.0 10.0 ... ... 2.6 1.0 <0.75 0.15 0.005 B
MERL-76 12.4 54.4 18.6 3.3 ... 1.4 4.3 5.1 ... 0.02 0.35 Hf, 0.06 Zr
Nimonic 80A 19.5 73.0 1.0 ... ... ... 2.25 1.4 1.5 0.05 0.10 max Cu
Nimonic 90 19.5 55.5 18.0 ... ... ... 2.4 1.4 1.5 0.06 ...
Nimonic 95 19.5 53.5 18.0 ... ... ... 2.9 2.0 5.0 max 0.15 max ⫹B, ⫹Zr
Nimonic 100 11.0 56.0 20.0 5.0 ... ... 1.5 5.0 2.0 max 0.30 max ⫹B, ⫹Zr
Nimonic 105 15.0 54.0 20.0 5.0 ... ... 1.2 4.7 ... 0.08 0.005 B
Nimonic 115 15.0 55.0 15.0 4.0 ... ... 4.0 5.0 1.0 0.20 0.04 Zr
C-263 20.0 51.0 20.0 5.9 ... ... 2.1 0.45 0.7 max 0.06 ...
Pyromet 860 13.0 44.0 4.0 6.0 ... ... 3.0 1.0 28.9 0.05 0.01 B
Pyromet 31 22.7 55.5 ... 2.0 ... 1.1 2.5 1.5 14.5 0.04 0.005 B
Refractaloy 26 18.0 38.0 20.0 3.2 ... ... 2.6 0.2 16.0 0.03 0.015 B
Rene 41 19.0 55.0 11.0 10.0 ... ... 3.1 1.5 <0.3 0.09 0.01 B
Rene 88 16 56.4 13.0 4 4 0.7 3.7 2.1 ... 0.03 0.03 Zr
Rene 95 14.0 61.0 8.0 3.5 3.5 3.5 2.5 3.5 <0.3 0.16 0.01 B, 0.05 Zr
Rene 100 9.5 61.0 15.0 3.0 ... ... 4.2 5.5 1.0 max 0.16 0.015 B, 0.06 Zr, 1.0 V
Udimet 500 19.0 48.0 19.0 4.0 ... ... 3.0 3.0 4.0 max 0.08 0.005 B
Udimet 520 19.0 57.0 12.0 6.0 1.0 ... 3.0 2.0 ... 0.08 0.005 B
Udimet 630 17.0 50.0 ... 3.0 3.0 6.5 1.0 0.7 18.0 0.04 0.004 B
Udimet 700 15.0 53.0 18.5 5.0 ... ... 3.4 4.3 <1.0 0.07 0.03 B
Udimet 710 18.0 55.0 14.8 3.0 1.5 ... 5.0 2.5 ... 0.07 0.01 B
Udimet 720 18 55 14.8 3 1.25 ... 5 2.5 ... 0.035 0.03 Zr
Udimet 720LI 16 57 15.0 3 1.25 ... 5 2.5 ... 0.025 0.03 Zr
Unitemp AF2-1DA 12.0 59.0 10.0 3.0 6.0 ... 3.0 4.6 <0.5 0.35 1.5 Ta. 0.015 B, 0.1 Zr
Waspaloy 19.5 57.0 13.5 4.3 ... ... 3.0 1.4 2.0 max 0.07 0.006 B, 0.09 Zr
Superalloys for High Temperatures—a Primer / 5
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Table 1.2 Nominal compositions of cast superalloys
Nominal composition, %

Alloy designation C Ni Cr Co Mo Fe Al B Ti Ta W Zr Other

Nickel-base
B-1900 0.1 64 8 10 6 ... 6 0.015 1 4(a) ... 0.10 ...
CMSX-2 ... 66.2 8 4.6 0.6 ... 56 ... 1 6 8 6 ...
CMSX-4 ... bal 6.5 9 0.6 ... 5.6 ... 1.0 6.5 6 ...
CMSX-6 ... bal 10 5 3 ... 4.8 ... 4.7 2 ... ...
6 / Superalloys: A Technical Guide

CMSX-10 ... bal 1.8–4.0 1.5–9.0 0.25–2.0 ... 5.0–7.0 ... 0.1–1.2 7.0–10.0 3.5–7.5 ...
Hastelloy X 0.1 50 21 1 9 18 ... ... ... ... 1 ... ...
Inconel 100 0.18 60.5 10 15 3 ... 5.5 0.01 5 ... ... 0.06 1V
Inconel 713C 0.12 74 12.5 ... 4.2 ... 6 0.012 0.8 1.75 ... 0.1 0.9 Nb
Superalloys: A Technical Guide (#06128G)

Inconel 713LC 0.05 75 12 ... 4.5 ... 6 0.01 0.6 4 ... 0.1 ...
Inconel 738 0.17 61.5 16 8.5 1.75 ... 3.4 0.01 3.4 ... 2.6 0.1 2 Nb
© 2002 ASM International. All Rights Reserved.

Inconel 792 0.2 60 13 9 2.0 ... 3.2 0.02 4.2 ... 4 0.1 2 Nb
Inconel 718 0.04 53 19 ... 3 18 0.5 ... 0.9 ... ... ... 0.1 Cu, 5 Nb
X-750 0.04 73 15 ... ... 7 0.7 ... 2.5 ... ... ... 0.25 Cu, 0.9 Nb
M-252 0.15 56 20 10 10 ... 1 0.005 2.6 ... ... ... ...
MAR-M 200 0.15 59 9 10 ... 1 5 0.015 2 ... 12.5 0.05 1 Nb(b)
MAR-M 246 0.15 60 9 10 2.5 ... 5.5 0.015 1.5 1.5 10 0.05 ...
MAR-M 247 0.15 59 8.25 10 0.7 0.5 5.5 0.015 1 3 10 0.05 1.5 Hf
PWA 1480 ... bal 10 5.0 ... ... 5.0 ... 1.5 12 4.0 ... ...
PWA 1484 ... bal 5 10 2 ... 5.6 ... ... 9 6 ...
Rene 41 0.09 55 19 11.0 10.0 ... 1.5 0.01 3.1 ... ... ... ...
Rene 77 0.07 58 15 15 4.2 ... 4.3 0.015 3.3 ... ... 0.04 ...
Rene 80 0.17 60 14 9.5 4 ... 3 0.015 5 ... 4 0.03 ...
Rene 80 Hf 0.08 60 14 9.5 4 ... 3 0.015 4.8 ... 4 0.02 0.75 Hf
Rene 100 0.18 61 9.5 15 3 ... 5.5 0.015 4.2 ... ... 0.06 1V

(continued)

(a) B-1900 ⫹ Hf also contains 1.5% Hf. (b) MAR-M 200 ⫹ Hf also contains 1.5% Hf. (c) Designated R’ 162 in U.S. patent 5,270,123. Also contains 0.02–0.07% C, 0.003–0.01% B, 0–0.3% Y,
and 0–6% Ru.
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Table 1.2 (continued)
Nominal composition, %

Alloy designation C Ni Cr Co Mo Fe Al B Ti Ta W Zr Other

Nickel-base (continued)
Rene N4 0.06 62 9.8 7.5 1.5 ... 4.2 0.004 3.5 4.8 6 ... 0.5 Nb, 0.15 Hf
RR 2000 ... bal 10 15 3 ... 5.5 ... 4.0 ... ... ...
SRR 99 ... bal 8 5 ... ... 5.5 ... 2.2 3 10 ...
Rene N5 ... bal 7 8 2 ... 6.2 ... ... 7 5 ...
Rene N6(c) ... bal 4.25–6 10–15 0.5–2 ... 5–6.25 ... ... 7–9.25 5–6.5 ...
Superalloys: A Technical Guide (#06128G)

Udimet 500 0.1 53 18 17 4 2 3 ... 3 ... ... ... ...

Udimet 700 0.1 53.5 15 18.5 5.25 ... 4.25 0.03 3.5 ... ... ... ...
Udimet 710 0.13 55 18 15 3 ... 2.5 ... 5 ... 1.5 0.08 ...
© 2002 ASM International. All Rights Reserved.

Waspaloy 0.07 57.5 19.5 13.5 4.2 1 1.2 0.005 3 ... ... 0.09 ...
WAX-20(DS) 0.20 72 ... ... ... ... 6.5 ... ... ... 20 1.5 ...

Cobalt-base
AiResist 13 0.45 ... 21 62 ... ... 3.4 ... ... 2 11 ... 0.1 Y
AiResist 213 0.20 0.5 20 64 ... 0.5 3.5 ... ... 6.5 4.5 0.1 0.1 Y
AiResist 215 0.35 0.5 19 63 ... 0.5 4.3 ... ... 7.5 4.5 0.1 0.1 Y
FSX-414 0.25 10 29 52.5 ... 1 ... 0.010 ... ... 7.5 ... ...
Haynes 21 0.25 3 27 64 ... 1 ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 Mo
Haynes 25; L-605 0.1 10 20 54 ... 1 ... ... ... ... 15 ... ...
J-1650 0.20 27 19 36 ... ... ... 0.02 3.8 2 12 ... ...
MAR-M 302 0.85 ... 21.5 58 ... 0.5 ... 0.005 ... 9 10 0.2 ...
MAR-M 322 1.0 ... 21.5 60.5 ... 0.5 ... ... 0.75 4.5 9 2 ...
MAR-M 509 0.6 10 23.5 54.5 ... ... ... ... 0.2 3.5 7 0.5 ...
MAR-M 918 0.05 20 20 52 ... ... ... ... ... 7.5 ... 0.1 ...
NASA Co-W-Re 0.40 ... 3 67.5 ... ... ... ... 1 ... 25 1 2 Re
S-816 0.4 20 20 42 ... 4 ... ... ... ... 4 ... 4 Mo, 4 Nb, 1.2 Mn, 0.4 Si
V-36 0.27 20 25 42 ... 3 ... ... ... ... 2 ... 4 Mo, 2 Nb, 1 Mn, 0.4 Si
Wi-52 0.45 ... 21 63.5 ... 2 ... ... ... ... 11 ... 2 Nb ⫹ Ta
X-40 (Stellite alloy 31) 0.50 10 22 57.5 ... 1.5 ... ... ... ... 7.5 ... 0.5 Mn, 0.5 Si

(a) B-1900 ⫹ Hf also contains 1.5% Hf. (b) MAR-M 200 ⫹ Hf also contains 1.5% Hf. (c) Designated R’ 162 in U.S. patent 5,270,123. Also contains 0.02–0.07% C, 0.003–0.01% B, 0–0.3% Y,
and 0–6% Ru.
Superalloys for High Temperatures—a Primer / 7
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Superalloys: A Technical Guide (#06128G)

8 / Superalloys: A Technical Guide

melting-point depressants tend to have incip- loys remained similar to original levels or
ient melting temperatures equal to or in ex- even increased. However, resistance to
cess of those of cobalt-base superalloys. other types of corrosion attack decreased.
• Superalloys have great oxidation resis-
Some Superalloy tance, in many instances, but not enough
Characteristics and Facts corrosion resistance. For many applica-
tions at the highest temperatures, above
• When temperatures go above about 1000 about 1400 ⬚F (760 ⬚C), as in aircraft tur-
⬚F (540 ⬚C), ordinary steels and titanium bines, superalloys must be coated. For
alloys are no longer strong enough for ap- very long-time applications at tempera-
plication. Steels also may suffer from en- tures at or above about 1200 ⬚F (649 ⬚C),
hanced corrosion attack. as in land-based gas turbines, superalloys
• When the highest temperatures (below the may have to be coated.
melting temperatures, which are about • Coating technology is an integral part of
2200 to 2500 ⬚F (1204 to 1371 ⬚C) for most superalloy development and application.
alloys) must be achieved and strength is the Lack of a coating means much less ability
consideration, then nickel-base superalloys to use superalloys for extended times at
are the materials of choice. elevated temperatures.
• Nickel-base superalloys can be used to a • Many alloy elements are added to super-
higher fraction of their melting points than alloys in minuscule to major amounts, par-
just about any other commercially avail- ticularly in the nickel-base alloys. Con-
able materials. Refractory metals have trolled alloy elements could be as many as
higher melting points than superalloys but 14 or so in some alloys.
do not have the same desirable character- • Nickel and cobalt as well as chromium,
istics as superalloys and are much less tungsten, molybdenum, rhenium, hafnium,
widely used. and other elements used in superalloys are
• Cobalt-base superalloys may be used in often expensive and strategic elements that
lieu of nickel-base superalloys, dependent may vary considerably in price and avail-
on actual strength needs and the type of ability over time.
corrosive attack expected.
• At lower temperatures, and dependent on
the type of strength needs for an applica- Applications
tion, iron-nickel-base superalloys find more
use than cobalt- or nickel-base superalloys. The high-temperature applications of superal-
• Superalloy strength properties are directly loys are extensive, including components for
related not only to the chemistry of the aircraft, chemical plant equipment, and pet-
alloy but also to melting procedures, forg- rochemical equipment. Figure 1.2 shows the
ing and working processes, casting tech- F119 engine, which is the latest in a series of
niques, and, above all, to heat treatment military engines to power high-performance
following forming, forging or casting. aircraft. The gas temperatures in these engines
• Iron-nickel-base (sometimes designated in the hot sections (rear areas of the engine)
nickel-iron-base) superalloys such as IN- may rise to levels far above 2000 ⬚F (1093
718 are less expensive than nickel-base or ⬚C). Cooling techniques reduce the actual
cobalt-base superalloys. component metal temperatures to lower levels,
• Most wrought superalloys have fairly high and superalloys that can operate at these tem-
levels of the metal chromium to provide peratures are the major components of the hot
corrosion resistance. In the cast alloys, sections of such engines.
chromium was high to start but was signif- The significance of superalloys in today’s
icantly reduced over the years in order to commerce is typified by the fact that,
accommodate other alloy elements that in- whereas in 1950 only about 10% of the total
creased the elevated temperature strength weight of an aircraft gas turbine engine was
of superalloys. In the superalloys based on made of superalloys, by 1985 this figure had
nickel, the aluminum content of the alloys risen to about 50%. Table 1.3 lists some cur-
increased as chromium decreased. Thus, rent applications of superalloys. It will be
the oxidation resistance of nickel superal- noted, however, that not all applications re-
© 2002 ASM International. All Rights Reserved. www.asminternational.org
Superalloys: A Technical Guide (#06128G)

Superalloys for High Temperatures—a Primer / 9

Fig. 1.2 F119 gas turbine engine—a major user of superalloys

Table 1.3 Some Applications of Superalloys quire elevated-temperature strength capabil-

Aircraft/industrial gas turbine components: ity. Their high strength coupled with corro-
Disks sion resistance have made certain superalloys
Bolts
Shafts
standard materials for biomedical devices.
Cases Superalloys also find use in cryogenic
Blades applications.
Vanes
Combustors
Afterburners
Thrust reversers
Steam turbine power plant components:
What to Look for in This Book
Bolts
Blades
Stack-gas reheaters The text provides those who desire it a very
Selected automotive components, such as: complete understanding of superalloys. The
Turbochargers
Exhaust valves
chapters ‘‘Selection of Superalloys,’’ ‘‘Under-
Metal processing, such as in: standing Superalloy Metallurgy,’’ ‘‘Structure/
Hot work tools and dies Property Relationships,’’ plus ‘‘Corrosion and
Casting dies Protection of Superalloys’’ enhance ability to
Medical components, such as in:
Dentistry make design decisions on superalloy use.
Prosthetic devices For those involved in processing the su-
Space vehicle components, such as: peralloys, virtually all process operations are
Aerodynamically heated skins
Rocket-engine parts included, starting with a very comprehensive
Heat treating equipment: look at the initial formulation of superalloys
Trays in the chapter ‘‘Melting and Conversion.’’
Fixtures
Conveyor belts
Subsequently, the gamut of operations is cov-
Nuclear power systems: ered from casting to machining and finishing.
Control-rod drive mechanisms If you are experiencing problems with su-
Valve stems
Springs
peralloys, reference to the chapters men-
Ducting tioned in the first paragraph of this section is
Chemical and petrochemical industries: in order. If failures are occurring, check the
Bolts
Valves
chapter ‘‘Failure and Refurbishment.’’
Reaction vessels For those desiring a little retrospective
Piping look at the current state of superalloy appli-
Pumps cations and potential future directions, the
Adapted from Titanium: A Technical Guide, 1st ed. chapter ‘‘Superalloys—Retrospect and Fu-
ture Prospects’’ may be of interest.