Superalloy Seamless Tube Composition for Corrosion-Resistant Precision Rolling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current research on iron-nickel-based precipitation hardened and wrought superalloys primarily focuses on physical and chemical properties, with limited industrialized production of seamless tubes, particularly for aerospace engines, where enhanced high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and mechanical strength are required.

Innovation Solution

A superalloy seamless tube composition with specific weight percentages of C, Si, Mn, P, S, Cr, Ni, Al, Ce, Ti, and N, combined with a multi-step heat treatment and cold rolling process, results in a tube with improved intergranular corrosion resistance, high tensile and yield strength, and precise dimensional accuracy and surface quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional GH2747 superalloy is used with standard composition, then basic high-temperature strength is achieved, but intergranular corrosion resistance is insufficient and industrialized production of seamless tubes with precise dimensional accuracy is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintergranular corrosion resistanceVSAvoiddimensional accuracy of seamless tube
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the superalloy by reducing carbon content to 0.01-0.05% (lower than conventional GH2747) and optimizing alloying elements (Ni: 44-46%, Cr: 15-17%, Al: 2.9-3.9%, Ti: 0.1-0.3%, N: 0.03-0.08%). These parameter changes improve intergranular corrosion resistance while maintaining high-temperature strength, enabling successful industrialized production of seamless tubes with precise dimensional accuracy (outer diameter deviation ≤0.05mm, wall thickness deviation ≤0.05mm).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite microstructure through controlled precipitation hardening, forming a matrix with gamma prime (γ') precipitates and gamma (γ) solid solution, enhanced by Ti-N carbides and intermetallic compounds. This composite structure at the micro level provides both corrosion resistance and mechanical strength, while the optimized composition enables uniform precipitation distribution that facilitates precise dimensional control during manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If carbon content is reduced to improve corrosion resistance, then intergranular corrosion resistance increases, but high-temperature strength may decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintergranular corrosion resistanceVSAvoidhigh-temperature strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces carbon content to 0.01-0.05% to eliminate carbon-rich precipitates that cause intergranular corrosion, while compensating for potential strength loss by optimizing nickel (44-46%) and aluminum (2.9-3.9%) content to enhance gamma prime precipitate formation. The addition of titanium (0.1-0.3%) and nitrogen (0.03-0.08%) creates alternative strengthening mechanisms through Ti-N carbides and intermetallic compounds, maintaining high-temperature strength despite low carbon content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces nickel and aluminum as intermediary elements that form gamma prime (γ') precipitates, which serve as the primary strengthening phase. These precipitates compensate for the reduced carbon content by providing alternative precipitation hardening mechanisms. The titanium-nitrogen combination acts as another intermediary, forming carbides and intermetallic compounds that further contribute to strength while not compromising corrosion resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If multi-step heat treatment and cold rolling process is implemented to achieve precise dimensional accuracy and surface quality, then manufacturing complexity increases, but production efficiency improves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional accuracy and surface qualityVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the manufacturing process into distinct sequential stages: solution treatment (1000-1100°C for 1-4 hours) to dissolve precipitates and homogenize structure, followed by controlled cooling, then cold rolling to achieve precise dimensional accuracy (outer diameter ±0.05mm, wall thickness ±0.05mm), and finally aging treatment (700-750°C for 4-8 hours) to precipitate gamma prime phases for strength. Each stage is optimized independently, making the complex process manageable and repeatable for industrialized production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution treatment step performs preliminary action by dissolving existing precipitates and homogenizing the alloy structure before cold rolling. This preliminary homogenization ensures uniform material properties throughout the tube, which facilitates subsequent precise dimensional control during cold rolling and prevents defects during aging treatment. The preliminary structure preparation enables the final product to achieve both high precision and high strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a superalloy seamless tube with enhanced high-temperature resistance, oxidation corrosion resistance, high tensile strength, and high yield strength, meeting the mechanical performance requirements for aerospace engines while ensuring good dimensional accuracy and surface quality, facilitating industrialized production.

Implementation Method 1

high-temperature oxidation resistance, and corrosion resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation resistance: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

subjecting the tube blank to a hot piercing, to obtain a crude tube; subjecting the crude tube to a first solution heat treatment and a cold rolling in sequence

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat treatment: Heat Treatment

Implementation Method 3

Iron-nickel-based precipitation hardened and wrought superalloys

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation hardening: Precipitation Hardening

Data Source

PatentUS12000032B2Superalloy seamless tube and preparation method thereof
Publication Date: 2024.06.04 JIANGSU UNIV

AI summary

A superalloy seamless pipe and a preparation method thereof are provided. The superalloy seamless pipe comprises the following components in percentages by weight: C: 0.01-0.06%, Si: 0.40-1.00%, Mn: 0.30-1.00%, P≤0.025%, S≤0.020%, Cr: 15.00-17.00%, Ni: 44.00-46.00%, Al: 2.90-3.90%, Ce: 0.01-0.03%, Ti: 0.10-0.30%, N: 0.03-0.08%, and the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities.