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Materials at High Temperatures (2006), 23(1)

 

Processing of high-temperature resistant threedimensional

networks of interconnected metallic fibres by pack aluminization

E. Koza and J. Proost*

Division of Materials and Process Engineering, Universite´ Catholique de Louvain (UCL),

Place Sainte-Barbe 2, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
*E-mail: proost@imap.ucl.ac.be

 

ABSTRACT

This paper deals with the use of a pack aluminization process for the transformation of stainless steel

wires and three-dimensional (3-D) interconnected fibres into intermetallic compounds. The decomposition

of the pack was first investigated using differential thermal analysis. For both sample

geometries, wires and interconnected fibres, the influence of trace amounts of oxygen in the

processing atmosphere on intermetallic formation is shown. In a normal furnace atmosphere with

Ar-flow, aluminium deposited from the pack on the sample surface but did not diffuse inside because

a surface oxidation layer appeared. Upon active limitation of the oxygen partial pressure, Al was able

to diffuse into the sample, up to 100 mm after 4 hours at 1000_C for the stainless steel wire, and

resulting in complete transformation of the 3-D fibre network.

 

Keywords: pack aluminization, metallic fibres, three-dimensional network

 

 

High temperature mechanical properties of Inconel

718 pulsed Nd–YAG laser welds

G.D. Janaki Rama*, A. Venugopal Reddya and K. Prasad Raob and G. Madhusudhan Reddyc

aRegional Centre for Military Airworthiness (Materials), Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad, 500 058 India

*E-mail: janakiram_gabbita@yahoo.co.in

bDepartment of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, 600 038 India

cDefence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad, 500 058 India

 

ABSTRACT

Bead-on-plate full-penetration pulsed Nd –YAG laser welds were produced in 2mm thick sheets of

Inconel 718 and were subjected to aging treatment with and without post-weld solution treatment at

980_C. Weld microstructures, high temperature tensile and stress rupture properties were evaluated.

The tensile and stress rupture properties of the welds after post-weld aging treatment were found to be

inferior in relation to the base metal due to the presence of Nb-rich brittle intermetallic Laves phase in

weld microstructure; however, the weld properties were found to satisfy the minimum property

requirements generally specified for alloy 718 sheet products (AMS 5596). Post-weld solution

treatment at 980_C was found to result in considerable Laves dissolution and reduction in Nb

segregation, leading to improvement in weld properties, although not to the level of base metal.

 

Keywords: laser welding, Inconel 718, Laves phase, Nb segregation

 

Degradation mechanisms of aluminium diffusion

coatings on 12% chromium steels under elevated

temperature erosion – oxidation conditions

E. Huttunen-Saarivirtaa*, F.H. Stotta, V. Rohrb and M. Schu¨ tzeb

aCorrosion and Protection Centre, School of Materials, University of Manchester,

Sackville Street, Manchester M60 1QD, UK

*E-mail: elina.huttunen-saarivirta@manchester.ac.uk

bKarl-Winnacker-Institut der DECHEMA e.V., Theodor-Heuss-Allee 25, 60486 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

 

ABSTRACT

Aluminium diffusion coatings offer one possible solution for improving the erosion–corrosion

resistance of candidate steels for future power plants. However, their successful utilisation at

temperatures higher than currently and under erosive load of solid particles requires an understanding

of possible degradation phenomena that take place in both the short and the long term. This paper

reports on the degradation resistance of aluminium diffusion coatings in the temperature range 550 –

700_C under impacts by silica sand particles at 30_ and 90_ for 200 h.

For 90_ particle impacts at 550_C and 600_C and 30_ particle impacts at 650_C and 700_C,

degradation of the coatings occurs rapidly by erosion, with oxidation or other diffusional processes in

a minor role. For 30_ particle impacts at 550_C and 600_C, the rate of erosion exceeds the rate of

oxidation, with oxidation-affected erosion being the prevailing erosion – corrosion mode. Chipping

and cutting wear pose the greatest challenge for long-term performance of the coatings. The coatings

subjected to 90_ particle impacts at 650_C and 700_C undergo more rapid oxidation and experience

less erosive wear, with erosion-enhanced oxidation being the primary erosion – corrosion mechanism.

Here, oxidation leads to depletion of the near-surface layer in aluminium and void formation near the

coating surface, with consumption of the aluminium reservoir and an impairment of the coating

integrity as primary consequences. Phase transformations and a thermally activated columnar growth

were also observed to occur in the coatings, causing, for example, formation of new phases with

decreased Al content and variations in the coating thickness.

 

Keywords: aluminium diffusion coating, degradation, erosion – oxidation

 

 

Thermal shock behaviour in ferritic steels:

laboratory tests and comparison with service

conditions

R.P. Skelton

Consultant, c/o Science Reviews, PO Box 314, St Albans, Herts AL1 4ZG, UK

E-mail: pskelton@scilet.com

 

ABSTRACT

‘Down’ and ‘up’ thermal shock experiments on cast and forged forms of 9/12Cr steels and their

weldments at a maximum temperature of 565_C have demonstrated a marked reluctance to form

traditional craze cracking and propagation into the body. However, in specimens of ex-service cast

1CrMoV material tested to the same number of cycles (1000), initiation and growth of (intergranular)

cracks is much more likely in layers near the inner surface of the component than in layers deep

within the section. This is due to the effect of prior thermal cycling of the inner material during start

up and shut down events.

Thermal shock and isothermal tests at a maximum temperature of 550_C on 1/2CrMoV/21/4Cr1Mo

weld features have indicated that crack propagation is generally along the fusion boundary (though for

some cases, in the weld metal itself) and that cyclic growth rates lie close to an upper bound law valid

for ferritic steels. The results from laboratory tests are compared with service experience as regards

stresses generated, likely crack path and possibility of arrest.

 

Keywords: downshock, upshock, cylindrical shell, residual stress, temperatureystress gradient, fusion boundary

cracking, stress intensity factor, transgranularyintergranular cracking