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At least 1,531 records · Page 85
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2011

Water Vapor Effects on the Oxidation Behavior of Fe-Cr and Ni-Cr Alloys in Atmospheres Relevant to Oxy-fuel Combustion

The oxidation behavior of a number of Fe–Cr- and Ni–Cr-based alloys was studied in atmospheres relevant to oxyfuel combustion at 650 °C. Oxidation was greatly enhanced in ferritic model alloys exposed in low p(O{sub 2}) CO{sub 2} + 30%H{sub 2}O and Ar + 30%H{sub 2}O gases. Rapidly growing iron oxides appear to be porous and gas permeable. Transition from non-protective to protective oxidation occurs on alloys with higher Cr contents between 13.5 and 22 wt% in H{sub 2}O. Excess oxygen, usually found in the actual oxyfuel combustion environments, disrupts the selective oxidation of Fe–Cr alloys by accelerating vaporization of early-formed Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} in combination with accelerated chromia growth induced by the H{sub 2}O. Rapid Cr consumption leads to the nucleation and rapid growth of iron oxides. On the contrary, Ni–Cr alloys are less affected by the presence of H{sub 2}O and excess O{sub 2}. The difference between Fe–Cr and Ni–Cr alloys is not clear but is postulated to involve less acceleration of chromia growth by water vapor for the latter group of alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Stochastic Model for High Temperature Oxidation of Cr–Ni Austenitic Steels Assisted by Spallation

Abstract Cr–Ni austenitic steels offer significant high temperature corrosion protection by forming a surface oxide layer. However, above critical service conditions (temperature, atmosphere, thermal cycling), oxidized surface can experience intensive degradation because of scale spallation, which could be detrimental to the in-service life. To predict the effect of scale spallation on oxidation kinetics, a simulation was implemented using a stochastic model. The model considers topological parameters and intensity of spallation which can occur, while delivering a true oxidation constant. The experimental procedure identified the amount of formed spalled scale and topology of spallation based on the use of element mapping of the surface. This information was used to determine a true kinetic constant for a corresponding spallation intensity in oxidized Cr–Ni austenitic steel. To illustrate the capability of the stochastic model, a parametric analysis was performed. The model verified how the spallation parameters could change the oxidation processes from parabolic growth of an adhered oxide layer without spallation to a mixed linear-parabolic, or with a constant thickness of residual scale at high spallation intensity. The spallation model will be used in a separate article to characterize high temperature surface degradation of several Cr–Ni austenitic steels during harsh oxidation environments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Thermal stability of intermetallic phases in Fe-rich Fe-Cr-Ni-Mo alloys

Understanding the stability of precipitate phases in the Fe-rich Fe-Cr-Ni-Mo alloys is critical to the alloy design and application of Mo-containing Austenitic steels. Coupled with thermodynamic modeling, stability of the chi and Laves phases in two Fe-Cr-Ni-Mo alloys were investigated at 1000, 850 and 700 °C for different annealing time. The morphologies, compositions and crystal structures of the matrix and precipitate phases were carefully examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Electron Probe Microanalysis, X-ray diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy. The two key findings resulted from this work. One is that the chi phase is stable at high temperature and transformed into the Laves phase at low temperature. The other is that both the chi and Laves phases have large solubilites of Cr, Mo and Ni, among which the Mo solubility has a major role on the relative stability of the precipitate phases. The developed thermodynamic models were then applied to evaluating the Mo effect on the stability of precipitate phases in AISI 316 and NF709 alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Creep and oxidation behavior of modified CF8C-plus with W, Cu, Ni, and Cr

Here, the microstructures of modified CF8C-Plus (Fe-19Cr-12Ni-0.4W-3.8Mn-0.2Mo-0.6Nb-0.5Si-0.9C) with W and Cu (CF8CPWCu) and CF8CPWCu enhanced with 21Cr + 15Ni or 22Cr + 17.5Ni were characterized in the as-cast condition and after creep testing. When imaged at lower magnifications, the as-cast microstructure was similar among all three alloys as they all contained a Nb-rich interdendritic phase and Mn-based inclusions. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed the presence of nanoscale Cu-rich nanoprecipitates distributed uniformly throughout the matrix of CF8CPWCu, whereas in CF8CPWCu22/17, Cu precipitates were found primarily at the grain boundaries. The presence of these nanoscale Cu-rich particles, in addition to W-rich Cr 23 C 6 , nanoscale Nb carbides, and Z-phase (Nb 2 Cr 2 N 2 ), improved the creep strength of the CF8CPWCu steel. Modification of CF8CPWCu with Cr and Ni contents slightly decreased the creep strength but significantly improved the oxidation behavior at 1073 K (800 °C). In particular, the addition of 22Cr and 17.5Ni strongly enhanced the oxidation resistance of the stainless steel resulting in a 100 degrees or greater temperature improvement, and this composition provided the best balance between improving both mechanical properties and oxidation resistance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Measuring grain boundary character distributions in Ni-base alloy 725 using high-energy diffraction microscopy

We use high-energy X-ray diffraction microscopy (HEDM) to characterize the microstructure of Ni-base alloy 725. HEDM is a non-destructive technique capable of providing three-dimensional reconstructions of grain shapes and orientations in polycrystals. The present analysis yields the grain size distribution in alloy 725 as well as the grain boundary character distribution (GBCD) as a function of lattice misorientation and boundary plane normal orientation. We find that the GBCD of Ni-base alloy 725 is similar to that previously determined in pure Ni and other fcc-base metals. We find an elevated density of Σ9 and Σ3 grain boundaries. We also observe a preponderance of grain boundaries along low-index planes, with those along (1 1 1) planes being the most common, even after Σ3 twins have been excluded from the analysis.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Microstructural, Oxidation, and Mechanical Behavior of NbTi-Based Refractory Alloys with 5 to 10 Pct Co, Cr, and Ni Additions

NbTi-based refractory alloys with additions of Co, Cr, and Ni represent an interesting medium-entropy alloy system with potential for protective oxide film formation, high strength, and ductility. This study investigates the microstructural evolution, oxidation behavior, and mechanical properties of NbTi-based alloys containing 5 to 10 at. pct Co, Cr, and Ni. CALPHAD predictions suggest that this composition range can be heat treated to obtain a predominantly body-centered cubic matrix phase. Mechanical properties, including microhardness, yield strength, maximum strength, and specific strength are evaluated through isothermal compression tests conducted between room temperature and 800 °C. The oxidation kinetics of these alloys are assessed through discontinuous oxidation tests. Parabolic oxidation kinetics were observed for NbTi–10Ni and NbTi–5Co, while linear oxidation kinetics were found for NbTi–10Cr and NbTi–10(CoCrNi). Microstructures and oxide layers are characterized using X-ray diffraction, electron backscatter diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. All alloys exhibit significant mechanical softening between room temperature and 800 °C, with elastic-perfectly plastic flow observed at 800 °C. The addition of 10 pct Cr to NbTi resulted in two BCC phases up to 1050 °C, conflicting with CALPHAD predictions of a single-phase solid solution at this temperature, and resulting in higher flow stress at 800 °C. NbTi–10(CoCrNi) exhibited the lowest flow stress at 800 °C despite having more ‘cocktail effect’ potential and insufficient molar fractions of Co, Cr, or Ni to form a desirable protective oxide film.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Use of Industrial Waste (Al-Dross, Red Mud, Mill Scale) as Fluxing Agents in the Sulfurization of Fe-Ni-Cu-Co Alloy by Carbothermic Reduction of Calcium Sulfate

The use of industrial waste [mill scale (MS), red mud (RM), Al-dross (AD)] as fluxing agents in the sulfurization of Fe-Ni-Cu-Co alloy to matte (Fe-Ni-Cu-Co-S) by carbothermic reduction of CaSO{sub 4} was investigated at 1673 K (1400 °C). The sulfurization efficiency (SE) was 76 (± 2) pct at RM or AD single fluxing. However, SE drastically increased to approximately 89 pct at a ‘5AD + 5MS’ combination, which was equivalent to reagent-grade chemical ‘5Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} + 5Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}’ fluxing (SE = 88 pct). The present results can be used to improve the cost-effective recovery of rare metals (Ni and Co) from deep sea manganese nodules.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Atmospheric Corrosion Behavior and Mechanism of a Ni-Advanced Weathering Steel in Simulated Tropical Marine Environment

Corrosion behavior of Ni-advanced weathering steel, as well as carbon steel and conventional weathering steel, in a simulated tropical marine atmosphere was studied by field exposure and indoor simulation tests. Meanwhile, morphology and composition of corrosion products formed on the exposed steels were surveyed through scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. Results indicated that the additive Ni in weathering steel played an important role during the corrosion process, which took part in the formation of corrosion products, enriched in the inner rust layer and promoted the transformation from loose γ-FeOOH to dense α-FeOOH. As a result, the main aggressive ion, i.e., Cl{sup −}, was effectively separated in the outer rust layer which leads to the lowest corrosion rate among these tested steels. Thus, the resistance of Ni-advanced weathering steel to atmospheric corrosion was significantly improved in a simulated tropical marine environment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Formation and Decomposition Process of the Filled Skutterudite Sm{sub y}(Fe{sub x}Ni{sub 1−x}){sub 4}Sb{sub 12} (0.40 ≤ x ≤ 1) as Revealed by Differential Thermal Analysis

Filled skutterudites are among the most promising thermoelectric materials, and the obtainment of monophasic samples is crucial for the study of their transport properties. In this work, a differential thermal analysis study was performed on samples belonging to the Sm{sub y}(Fe{sub x}Ni{sub 1-x}){sub 4}Sb{sub 12} system with the aim to determine the most proper annealing temperature to possibly obtain skutterudite monophasic samples, and to study the effect of Sm addition on the thermodynamics of the Fe-Ni-Sb system. Samples were prepared through the traditional procedure consisting in melting–quenching–annealing the starting elements. DTA analyses were carried out on annealed samples, and results were interpreted using the Fe{sub 25}Sb{sub 75}-Ni{sub 25}Sb{sub 75} pseudobinary phase diagram taken from the literature as a starting point. They reveal that 870 K is the best annealing temperature, being the formation of a liquid phase just above this point; moreover, the Sm introduction results in widening the one-phase skutterudite stability region toward both higher temperatures and higher Fe concentrations compared with the Sm-free system.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Tribological Behavior of Pulsed Electrodeposited Ni-W/SiC Nanocomposites

Ni-14 at.% W/SiC nanocomposite coatings containing 0-6 vol.% of submicron size (0.35 μm) SiC particles were obtained using pulsed electrodeposition technique on mild steel substrate. The coatings were subsequently characterized for uniformity of SiC distribution, grain size and mechanical properties (hardness and elastic modulus) using SEM, XRD and nanoindentation techniques, respectively. It was observed that the SiC particulates were uniformly distributed within the coating. The coating matrix (Ni-W) also exhibited nanograin size. Tribological behavior of Ni-14 W/SiC nanocomposite was analyzed under dry sliding wear test conditions using pin on disk method. The interrelationship between SiC content, interparticle spacing, mechanical properties and wear behavior was analyzed. The results suggest that whereas hardness and modulus of nanocomposite coatings varied with SiC content as per Rule of Mixtures, wear mechanism can be best explained on the basis of Inverse Rule of Mixtures.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Ultra-Shallow Doping B, Mg, Ni, Cu, Mn, Cr and Fe into SiC with Very High Surface Concentrations Based on Plasma Stimulated Room-Temperature Diffusion

Very recently, we reported a novel doping method called plasma doping without any external bias (PDWOEB) for the introduction of some impurities into Si and GaN at room temperature (RT). In this work, the RT doping of some impurities, including B, Mg, Ni, Cu, Mn, Cr and Fe, into SiC with ultra-shallow depths of tens of nanometer and very high surface concentrations, approaching or exceeding 1E20/cm{sup 3}, by using PDWOEB is reported. It has been found for the first time that the doping depths and surface concentrations of these impurities doped into SiC by the PDWOEB increase drastically with increasing doping time and the ferromagnetism of SiC due to Ni doping is demonstrated. Moreover, the approximate diffusivities of B, Mg, Ni, Cu, Mn, Cr and Fe in SiC at RT under plasma stimulation are obtained. The physical mechanism of PDWOEB is further discussed, and some unclear viewpoints are clarified.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Synthesis and Characterization of Aluminum Matrix Composites Reinforced with (Ni,Cu){sub 3}Al Intermetallic Particles via Mechanical Milling Technique

This study investigates the dispersion of (Ni,Cu){sub 3}Al intermetallic particles in an aluminum matrix via low-energy mechanical milling as an alternative to conventional stir casting. The precursor powders consisted in (Ni,Cu){sub 3}Al and reactive-grade Al particles with an average size of 15 and 3 microns, respectively. The concentrations used were 3, 5, 8 and 10 wt.% of the intermetallic powders. After 4 h of milling, the obtained powders were compacted in a unidirectional press with a pressure of 930 MPa and the obtained green compacts were sintered at 500 °C in a controlled atmosphere oven for 2 h. Result showed that the bulk composites displayed an increase in the Vickers microhardness as well as an increase in compressive strength and stiffness as the percentage of dispersed particles increased. The Al-8 wt.%(Ni,Cu){sub 3}Al sample achieved the best performance and is related to the findings in SEM micrographs that showed that higher reinforcement concentration increased the formation of microporosities that reduce the decohesion of the bulk sample and impact heavily on the mechanical performance of the material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Effect of Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} Addition on the Microstructure, Wear Resistance, and Corrosion Behavior of W-4.9Ni-2.1Fe Heavy Alloy

Binding and particle phases are the two important parameters influencing materials properties. In this study, a series of novel W-4.9Ni-2.1Fe-xY{sub 2}O{sub 3} (in weight%) alloys with different Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} contents are prepared by secondary ball milling and spark plasma sintering (SPS) techniques to obtain uniformly distributed γ-(Ni, Fe) binding phases and finer grains. The microstructure, mechanical, wear resistance, and corrosion behavior of the sintered bodies with different Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} were obtained by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Rockwell hardness tester, friction wear tester, and three-dimensional profile instruments. The results showed that a certain addition of Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} led to refined grains and uniformed microstructures; but, if excessive, a weak grain refinement would be appeared. Moreover, the grain size tends to be stable with enhancing of the Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} content. Considering properties such as density, hardness, compression yield strength, grain size, and uniform distribution of tungsten hard phase and γ-(Ni, Fe) binding phase, the comprehensive optimal amount of 0.7 wt.% of Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} was attained for the alloy. Meanwhile, the SPS sintered body also exhibited the best friction, wear behavior, and corrosion resistance in 3.5% of NaCl solution.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Exploiting Acoustic Anisotropy to Detect Recrystallization in a Ni Single Crystal Using Ultrasonic Nondestructive Inspection

Ultrasonic inspection was used to detect regions of recrystallization (RX) within a single crystal of Ni. RX can produce polycrystalline regions within single-crystal (SX) materials. Because RX regions act as initiator sites for failure by fatigue-crack growth in otherwise SX Ni-based superalloys, RX is an issue of direct concern for the service life of high-performance turbine blades. Detection and discrimination of RX regions in single-crystal materials are significant challenges for current nondestructive inspection technologies. The present study leverages the elastic anisotropy of single crystals, which produces acoustic anisotropy, to ultrasonically detect and characterize RX regions produced within single-crystal specimens. Single crystals of pure Ni were processed to create controlled regions of RX. These specimens were ultrasonically examined in an immersion tank using a high-resolution, polyvinylidene fluoride transducer to detect acoustic impedance changes across the boundaries between different crystals (i.e., grains) within the RX region. Data from time-of-flight and absolute peak amplitude measurements were used to create acoustic images that were compared against electron microscope images of the RX regions. The ultrasonic inspection technique described here successfully detected not only the locations of RX regions, but also the approximate sizes and shapes of the RX regions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Role of microstructure on the actuation fatigue performance of Ni-Rich NiTiHf high temperature shape memory alloys

Here, the focus of the present study was to systematically investigate the influence of microstructure on the actuation fatigue performance of a Ni-rich NiTiHf high temperature shape memory alloy (HTSMA). Different aging heat treatments led to the formation of H-phase nano-precipitates with different sizes and morphology within the matrix, enhancing thermo-mechanical stability and enabling control of transformation temperatures. The actuation fatigue testing of specimens was performed until failure through thermally-induced reversible martensitic transformation under a constant stress (300 MPa) with two distinct upper cycle temperatures (UCT) of 300 °C and 350 °C. Consequently, the specimens heated to 700 °C and furnace cooled to 100 °C in 48 h, with relatively large precipitates, failed at average fatigue life of 15,500 cycles and exhibited 1.0% average actuation strain in the 300 °C UCT experiments, while those aged at 550 °C for 3 h, with the precipitate sizes less than 20 nm, attained an average fatigue life of 10,800 cycles and an actuation strain of 2.5%. Samples with intermediate precipitate sizes after aging at 600 °C for 10 h failed at the shortest average fatigue life of 8,200 cycles with an intermediate average actuation strain of 2.0%. Furthermore, increase in UCT decreased the fatigue life and resulted in larger average actuation strains for all samples. Overall, the current findings constitute the first systematic results demonstrating the microstructure dependence of the evolution of actuation strain, irrecoverable strain, and transformation temperatures during actuation fatigue, and actuation fatigue life of the Ni-rich Ni 50.3 Ti 29.7 Hf 20 HTSMA, demonstrating the importance of controlling the H-phase precipitate size.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Phase diagram of magnetic shape memory alloy Ni 50 Mn $50–x$ In $x$ , 0 < $x$ , 25 from first principles, via spin cluster expansion and phonon vibrational entropies

The metamagnetic shape memory Heusler alloy Ni 50 Mn $50–x$ In $x$ exhibits a rich phase diagram featuring competing magnetic states, coupled magnetic–structural phase transitions, and strong compositional sensitivity. Existing first-principles approaches struggletocapturetheintertwinedchemical, magnetic, andvibrationaleffectsinthesealloys, necessitating a more integrated modeling framework. We develop a spin cluster expansion (spin-CE) framework augmented by a quasi-harmonic phonon model to capture both configurational (chemical and magnetic) and vibrational contributions to the free energy of Ni 50 Mn $50–x$ In $x$ over the full compositional range 0 ≤ x ≤25. The spin-CE includes both chemical clusters and composition-dependent Ising spin interactions, with parameters fit to a first-principles density functional theory (DFT) dataset. Using this approach, we predict the complete magnetostructural phase diagram and transformation temperatures of Ni 50 Mn $50–x$ In $x$ across the composition space. We find that vibrational entropy alone is insufficient to reproduce the martensitic transformation in the magnetic shape memory alloy regime, highlighting the essential role of magnetism. Incorporating both magnetic and vibrational contributions allows us to reproduce all experimentally known phases, including the disappearance of the stable martensite phase at a critical In concentration and the Curie temperature of the austenite phase. The method also captures the transition with increasing In in martensite from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic order and predicts re-entrant ferromagnetism, though the latter occurs at higher In content than reported experimentally. We discuss possible sources of this discrepancy and highlight the broader applicability of the method to other magnetostructurally complex materials, where it may offer mechanistic insight and predictive design capabilities.

Cluster expansion↗
DOE OSTI2026

A transport-based framework for solidification cracking in Ni-based superalloys processed by laser powder bed fusion

Solidification cracking remains a persistent barrier to laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) processing of solid-solution-strengthened (SSS) Ni-based superalloys and is commonly attributed to carbide formation, liquation-type failure, or elemental segregation. In this work, the cracking behavior of three SSS Ni-based superalloys—Inconel 625 (625), Inconel 617 (617), and Haynes 230 (230)—is examined under comparable LPBF conditions to evaluate the origins of their cracking susceptibility. Carbides were present in both 625 and 230, yet cracking behavior differed significantly. MC-type carbides in 625 remain discrete and preserve liquid connectivity, whereas Cr-rich M23C6 carbides in 230 form at cellular triple junctions that bottleneck the interdendritic liquid network, influencing cracking through liquid connectivity rather than as an independent cause. Alloy 617 exhibited anomalous segregation without resolvable secondary phases yet cracked mildly, indicating that extensive carbide formation is not a prerequisite for cracking. To rationalize these observations, a transport-limited framework is proposed in which cracking occurs when terminal-liquid feeding cannot accommodate solidification-induced strain; among the mechanisms evaluated, this framework is most consistent with the physical constraints imposed by LPBF solidification. Transport-based crack-susceptibility indexes incorporating permeability, viscosity, and solidification kinetics distinguish the alloy hierarchy; permeability ratios Krat increased from approximately 7 (625) to 11.5 (617) and 14.5 (230), with corresponding increases in the μ-weighted mushy zone risk index (CSIMZRM). These results are consistent with transport-limited liquid feeding as a rate-limiting contributor to solidification cracking in LPBF-processed SSS Ni-based superalloys, providing a physically grounded basis for alloy and process design.

Hyer, Holden [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000343915561)↗