What are heat resistant super alloys?
Each superalloy is carefully manufactured with a balance of key constituent elements to provide ideal properties for a range of industrial applications.
For example, in the aerospace industry, nickel superalloys have many important applications. They are used in the hottest areas of jet engines, where temperatures often exceed 1200°C. The materials in this area must be able to withstand these conditions without affecting the structural integrity of the engine. This superalloy is ideal for the job because they are engineered to provide superior resistance to corrosion and oxidation at high temperatures.
Jet engine applications
When using high-temperature alloys in jet engines, it is important to choose nickel-based products, i.e. those with higher contents of chromium, iron, titanium and cobalt. INCONEL alloy 601 is a good example. It contains 58% nickel and 20-23% chromium, along with all other necessary key elements. In particular, it has added aluminum, which makes the alloy resistant to high-temperature oxidation and water corrosion. It also has high mechanical strength and is easy to machine and weld, making it a versatile material for jet engines.
The introduction of better high-temperature alloys aided the development of jet engines. Design engineers are able to improve jet engine performance, including higher thrust and lower fuel consumption, as materials are manufactured with increasingly better properties, such as greater resistance to high temperatures and corrosion.
Handle chemicals and waste
Back on the ground, there are other environments that rely on superalloys and their superior heat resistance. In the process industry, these high-performance materials are an integral part of the systems we rely on.
For example, liquid waste treatment plants are necessary but difficult environments. They are highly corrosive and very hot. INCONEL Alloy C-276 is renowned for its excellent corrosion resistance in the harshest atmospheres. Its composition is strong enough to withstand the harshest systems. Its low carbon content minimizes the precipitation of carbides during welding, helping it maintain corrosion resistance in welded structures, thereby enhancing its practicality. It also contains high levels of molybdenum (15-17%), which gives the alloy strength and better resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion. In addition to waste treatment, due to its unique properties, this superalloy is used in pollution control systems, chemical processing, and pulp and paper production.
Oil and gas extraction
The oil and gas industry deals with some extremely corrosive high temperature conditions. The materials used in these systems are critical to the safe extraction of vital resources, so they must be able to do the job. Nickel superalloys are used in onshore and offshore mining projects, in everything from pumps and valves to process control equipment.
One of the key materials used is INCONEL Alloy 625, a flagship nickel alloy that offers exceptional properties. The material has high strength, excellent corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance. Its unique composition, containing nickel, chromium, molybdenum and niobium, gives it particularly excellent resistance to severely corrosive environments. Although it has many uses, one of its primary uses is in pipes that collect acid gases. It is also used for the separation of extraction fluids in LNG production and processing equipment.
