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At least 19 records

An investigation of squeeze-cast alloy 718

Alloy 718 billets produced by the squeeze-cast process have been evaluated for use as potential replacements for propulsion engine components which are normally produced from forgings. Alloy 718 billets were produced using various processing conditions. Structural characterizations were performed on 'as-cast' billets. As-cast billets were then homogenized and solution treated and aged according to conventional heat-treatment practices for this alloy. Mechanical property evaluations were performed on heat-treated billets. As-cast macrostructures and microstructures varied with squeeze-cast processing parameters. Mechanical properties varied with squeeze-cast processing parameters and heat treatments. One billet exhibited a defect free, refined microstructure, with mechanical properties approaching those of wrought alloy 718 bar, confirming the feasibility of squeeze-casting alloy 718. However, further process optimization is required, and further structural and mechanical property improvements are expected with process optimization.

Gamwell, W. R.↗

Impact of Powder Variability on the Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior of Selective Laser Melted (SLM) Alloy 718

Nickel Alloy 718 has found wide use in high-temperature aerospace applications (up to 700°C), due to a combination of good mechanical properties, environmental resistance, and workability at moderate cost. These properties have led Alloy 718 to early adoption by selective laser melting (SLM) additive manufacturing. This presentation will share results from a comprehensive industry survey of 718 powder feedstock for SLM. The survey focuses on the impact of variability in powder characteristics on build quality, microstructure, tensile and high cycle fatigue in the as-fabricated and machined surface conditions. The investigation includes sixteen powder lots from eight suppliers that are produced by gas atomization or rotary atomization in argon or nitrogen. This research was previously presented and published at the 9th International Symposium on Superalloy 718 & Derivatives and was funded by NASA Space Launch System Liquid Engine Office with the Human Exploration Operations Mission Directorate.

Sudbrack, Chantal↗

Magnetic susceptibility of Inconel alloys 718, 625, and 600 at cryogenic temperatures

After a hydrogen fuel bleed valve problem on the Discovery Space Shuttle was traced to the strong magnetization of Inconel 718 in the armature of the linear variable differential transformer near liquid hydrogen temperatures, the ac magnetic susceptibility of three samples of Inconel 718 of slightly different compositions, one sample of Inconel 625, and on sample of Inconel 600 were measured as a function of temperature. Inconel 718 alloys are found to exhibit a spin glass state below 16 K. Inconel 600 exhibits three different magnetic phases, the lowest-temperature state (below 6 K) being somewhat similar to that of Inconel 718. The magnetic states of the Inconel alloys and their magnetic susceptibilities appear to be strongly dependent on the exact composition of the alloy.

Goldberg, Ira B.↗

A microscopic and crystallographic study of proton irradiated alloy 718

Solution annealing and age hardening are important processes for achieving good engineering and chemical properties of alloy 718. The composition of alloy 718 also plays an important role as it can affect both mechanical (γ”- and γ’-phase formation) and irradiation behaviors. Therefore, in this study five different sets of alloy 718 samples with two different chemical compositions were fabricated using different processing conditions and irradiated up to 4 dpa. Based on the effects of irradiation on the microstructural data of γ”- and γ’-phases, irradiation-induced dislocation statistics, and crystallographic data, it can be inferred that the samples processed at high solution annealing temperature (1093°C) behave better under irradiation compared to the samples processed at low solution annealing temperatures (945 and 1065°C).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Materials data handbook, Inconel alloy 718

Materials data handbook on Inconel alloy 718 includes data on the properties of the alloy at cryogenic, ambient, and elevated temperatures and other pertinent engineering information required for the design and fabrication of components and equipment utilizing this alloy.

Sessler, J.↗

Transient creep‐fatigue crack growth in creep‐brittle materials: Application to Alloy 718

Abstract This study presents incremental finite element computations of creep‐fatigue crack growth in Alloy 718 at in air. Alloy 718 is representative of creep‐brittle materials, in which viscoplastic deformation is restricted near the tip of a growing crack. The computations predict crack growth using a unique combination of an irreversible cohesive zone formulation and a strain gradient viscoplastic material model based on the Kocks–Mecking formulation. Cohesive zone damage parameters are estimated using sustained loading and constant‐amplitude cyclic loading experiments. Computations of crack extension under three different waveforms containing overloads all predict post‐overload retardation. The amount of retardation depends strongly on the overload ratio, consistent with experiments in the literature using similar waveforms. Analysis of the crack‐tip fields demonstrates retardation is associated with unloading in the highly deformed material near the advancing crack tip. Dynamic recovery and geometrically necessary dislocations are shown to significantly influence post‐overload crack extension.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Impact of Powder Supply Variation on Mechanical Properties for Additive Manufacture of Alloy 718

The Additive Manufacturing Structural Integrity Initiative (AMSII) examined how a number of different Alloy 718 powder lots can create variation in microstructure and mechanical properties in parts fabricated using Laser Powder Bed Fusion. Being a common alloy, Alloy 718 powder can be found in a variety of compositions, fabrication techniques, and powder size distribution. Sixteen virgin powders, and three recycled powders were used to build samples for microstructure analysis, fatigue and tensile testing. The major impacts of the different powders manifested in variations in the microstructure, such as minor phases and grain size variation. There were corresponding variations in mechanical properties. A down-selection of powders were chosen for additional analysis, and a powder recyclability study was completed to look at the effect of reused powder.

Alloy 718↗

Effect of heat treatment on microstructural evolution and hardness homogeneity in laser powder bed fusion of alloy 718

The thermal history developed in laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) processes has been shown to be complex resulting in equally complex microstructures and mechanical properties. Microscopic observations and Vickers micro-hardness mapping measurements were carried out on diff ;erent section planes of LPBF alloy 718 cuboids. Three-dimensional finite element analysis was used to simulate thermal history and to predict the residual stress distribution in the as-built material. Computational thermodynamics was used to predict the micro-segregation and nucleation driving force of various phases in the bulk and in segregated regions. Varied heat-treatments such as simulated hot isostatic pressing, and double aging were applied. Their influence on the microstructure, microsegregation, precipitate formation, and micro-hardness variations of LPBF alloy 718 were investigated. Hardness map results showed heterogeneous micro-hardness on the xy- and xz-planes of the as-built parts where the bottom plane and center regions had larger hardness of ~315 HV 0.5 while the top plane and contours showed hardness of ~300 HV 0.5 . It was found that the aging treatment increased the overall hardness of the as-built condition from ~310 HV 0.5 to 470 HV 0.5 but also increased the hardness gradient throughout the coupon. After simulated hot isostatic pressing process (i.e., without applied pressure) at 1020 °C for 4 h followed by water quench (HIPWQ), the hardness gradient and hardness was minimized (~210 HV 0.5 ) as the microstructure transitioned from heterogeneous columnar grains in the as-built condition to more uniform recrystallized grains. A double aging treatment was applied to enhance hardness from ~210 HV 0.5 to ~440 HV 0.5 . Finally, HIPWQ followed by double aging produced a homogeneous microstructure and more uniform hardness map with enhanced mechanical properties in LPBF alloy 718 coupons.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The effect of heat treatment on microfissuring in alloy 718

Changes in the microfissuring susceptibility of alloy 718 due to solution annealing and age hardening are studied. The effects of Ni3Nb (delta) precipitation during solution annealing and gamma-prime + gamma-double-prime precipitation during age hardening on microfissuring are investigated. It is observed that solution annealing reduces microfissuring and age hardening increases it, and the two precipitates do not affect microfissuring susceptibility. Potential causes for the detected intergranular segregation of the alloy are discussed.

Thompson, R. G.↗

Annealing strained alloy 718

Report shows that grain coarsening in Alloy 718 can result in greatly reduced resistance to weld-heat-produced zone fissuring, especially when final grain size is ASTM 2. Tensile tests and metallographic examination of bend test specimens provide necessary data.

Morrison, T. J.↗

An evaluation of GTAW-P versus GTA welding of alloy 718

Mechanical properties were evaluated to determine statistically whether the pulsed current gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW-P) process produces welds in alloy 718 with room temperature structural performance equivalent to current Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) welds manufactured by the constant current GTAW-P process. Evaluations were conducted on two base metal lots, two filler metal lots, two heat input levels, and two welding processes. The material form was 0.125-inch (3.175-mm) alloy 718 sheet. Prior to welding, sheets were treated to either the ST or STA-1 condition. After welding, panels were left as welded or heat treated to the STA-1 condition, and weld beads were left intact or machined flush. Statistical analyses were performed on yield strength, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and high cycle fatigue (HCF) properties for all the post welded material conditions. Analyses of variance were performed on the data to determine if there were any significant effects on UTS or HCF life due to variations in base metal, filler metal, heat input level, or welding process. Statistical analyses showed that the GTAW-P process does produce welds with room temperature structural performance equivalent to current SSME welds manufactured by the GTAW process, regardless of prior material condition or post welding condition.

Gamwell, W. R.↗

Impact of post-irradiation annealing on mechanical performance of irradiated 718 alloy

Here, the effect of post-irradiation annealing on solution-annealed 718 alloy was investigated using advanced mechanical testing, fractography, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Specimens were extracted from a proton beam window operated at the Spallation Neutron Source, irradiated with 940 MeV protons to a maximum dose of approximately 9.7 displacements per atom (dpa) at a calculated temperature not exceeding 110 °C while in service. Helium and hydrogen concentrations reached about 1700 and 6900 atomic parts per million (appm), respectively. Despite irradiation and high tensile strength (yield stress over 1 GPa), the material exhibited significant ductility. Annealing at 500 °C, 700 °C, and 900 °C for 30 min resulted in an appreciable decrease in yield strength and an increase in ductility for annealing treatments at 500 °C and 900 °C relative to the strength and ductility of the as-irradiated material. The presence of helium and hydrogen led to cavity formation and cleavage-like brittle features on fractured surfaces; however, high-magnification imaging revealed the presence of small-scale ductile dimples, indicating that the fracture mechanism remained mixed. The annealed specimens retained total elongation levels of 14–33 %, and there was no sudden drop in ductility after heat treatments. The ductility level in the irradiated and annealed material is notable despite the presence of helium and hydrogen.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Materials data handbook: Inconel alloy 718

A summary of the materials property information for Inconel alloy 718 is presented. The scope of the information includes physical and mechanical properties at cryogenic, ambient, and elevated temperatures. Information on material procurement, metallurgy of the alloy, corrosion, environmental effects, fabrication, and joining techniques is developed.

Muraca, R. F.↗

A Size Effect on the Fatigue Crack Growth Rate Threshold of Alloy 718

Fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) tests were conducted on Alloy 718 in the solution annealed and aged condition at room temperature. In each test, the FCGR threshold was measured using the decreasing (Delta)K method. Initial testing was at two facilities, one of which used C(T) specimens with W = 127 mm. Previous data at the other facility had been obtained with specimens with W = 50.8 mm. A comparison of test results at R = 0.1 showed that the threshold for the 127 mm specimen was considerably higher than that of the 50.8 mm specimen. A check showed that this difference was not due to a heat-to-heat or lab-to-lab variation. Additional tests were conducted on specimens with W = 25.4 mm and at other R values. Data for the various specimens is presented along with parameters usually used to describe threshold behavior.

Garr, K. R.↗

Phase Composition and Phase Transformation of Additively Manufactured Nickel Alloy 718 AM Bench Artifacts

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies offer unprecedented design flexibility but are limited by a lack of understanding of the material microstructure formed under their extreme and transient processing conditions and its subsequent transformation during post-build processing. As part of the 2022 AM Bench Challenge, sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, this study focuses on the phase composition and phase evolution of AM nickel alloy 718, a nickel-based superalloy, to provide benchmark data essential for the validation of computational models for microstructural predictions. Here, we employed high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction, in situ synchrotron X-ray scattering, as well as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy for our analyses. The study uncovers critical aspects of the microstructure in its as-built state, its transformation during homogenization, and its phase evolution during subsequent aging heat treatment. Specifically, we identified secondary phases, monitored the dissolution and coarsening of microstructural elements, and observed the formation and stability of γ ’ and γ ” phases. The results provide the rigorous benchmark data required to understand the atomic and microstructural transformations of AM nickel alloy 718, thereby enhancing the reliability and applicability of AM models for predicting phase evolution and mechanical properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Relationships between microstructure and microfissuring in alloy 718

Microfissures which occur in the weld heat affected zone of alloy 718 can be a limiting factor in the material's weldability. Several studies have attempted to relate microfissuring susceptibility to processing conditions, microstructure, and/or heat-to-heat chemistry differences. The present investigation studies the relationships between microstructure and microfissuring by isolating a particular microstructural feature and measuring microfissuring as a function of that feature. Results to date include the identification of a microstructure-microfissure sequence, microfissuring susceptibility as a function of grain size, and microfissuring susceptibility as a function of solution annealing time.

Thompson, R. G.↗