The Role of Niobium in Wrought Precipitation-Hardened Nickel-Base Alloys

Abstract

Niobium is recognized as an important alloying element in a number of wrought precipitation-hardened nickel-base alloys. It is the purpose of this paper to examine the role that niobium plays in these alloys and describe the properties that are achieved as a result of its inclusion in wrought superalloys. In addition to the general alloying characteristics of niobium as described in the technical literature, the specific contribution of niobium in the alloys X-750, 740, 706, 725 and 718 will be examined. Niobium is examined for the role it plays microstructurally and the impact of the resulting microstructure on certain properties.