Author(s)

D. A. Akinlade, W. F. Caley, N. L. Richards & M. C. Chaturvedi

Abstract

A thermodynamic java based software package (JMatPro) was used to predict the powder metallurgy (P/M) processing of a superalloy based on the composition of IN600. The effects of adding 6w/o Al to the alloy on sintering time and temperature were estimated and compared with results obtained experimentally from a combination of X-ray diffraction and metallography. Phases predicted by the modelling compared favourably with microstructural observations and phase identification of the P/M processed alloy in terms of prediction/microstructural observation of austenite, gamma prime and chromium rich carbides. Furthermore, both microstructural predictions for the alloy after solution treatment and hardness values generated were in agreement with metallographic observations and hardness measurements respectively. These results suggest that the software and predictions used in this study offer a reasonable way to simulate the characterisation of P/M processed nickel-based superalloys. Keywords: superalloy, powder metallurgy, thermodynamic modelling, morphology. 1 Introduction Superalloys are high temperature and high strength alloys. Among the large number of superalloys available is Inconel 600 which is a NiCrFe alloy. Some advantages of this alloy include: good mechanical properties at elevated temperatures, good workability and reasonable weldability. Because of these

Keywords

superalloy, powder metallurgy, thermodynamic modelling, morphology.