Design of a new wrought CrCoNi-based medium-entropy superalloy C-264 for high-temperature applications

Abstract

A new wrought CrCoNi-based medium-entropy superalloy (MESA) was designed by changing the composition of a commercial superalloy of type C-263, which is used for stationary components in gas turbines. ∼5 at.% Cr and 0.85 at.% Ti + Al were added at the expense of Ni while the Ti/Al ratio was decreased. Owing to these modifications, the brittle η phase, which is stable in C-263 below 900 °C is no longer observed in C-264. Besides, the solvus temperature and volume fraction of the γ′ phase in the peak-aged state are larger in C-264 (∼935 °C, 13.5%) compared to C-263 (∼890 °C, 12.8%), resulting in superior tensile and creep properties. The stress and temperature dependencies of the creep rates were described by power-law and Arrhenius relationships. The stress exponents were between 4 and 5, while the apparent activation energies were 550 and 400 kJ/mol for C-264 and C-263, respectively. During creep at 880 °C in air, internal nitridation in both MESAs resulted in the formation of TiN precipitates, with C-264 being slightly more affected due to its higher nitrogen solubility. Due to its superior creep resistance, good malleability and machinability, the C-264 MESA is currently commercially available from VDM Metals International.