Research and Development of Inconel 718 Type Superalloy

Inconel 718(Ni-19Cr-18Fe-3Mo-5Nb-1Ti-0.5Al) nickel-base superalloy strengthened mainly by Ni3Nb type γ″ and partially by Ni3Al type γ′ precipitation is today’s most widely used superalloy in the world. China has paid special attention on Inconel 718 research and development. Systematic long-term research project has been conducted in close cooperation among our university, research institutes and factories. The goal of this long-term project is in 2 steps. First step is to improve Alloy 718 to get high quality and the second step is for improving the alloy temperature capability from 650oC to 680-700oC. The basic idea for alloy improvement is still to keep the chemical composition in the range of specification by small adjustment or control of minor elements, such as S, P, N, Si and Mg. The main achievements are segregation control by adjustment of S, P, Si, control of N for cleanliness, micro-alloying of Mg for grain boundary strengthening and control of low S and high P for stress rupture life improvement. Modification of Alloy 718 is based on structure stability study and its improvement in adjustment of main second phase strengthening alloy elements Nb, Ti and Al in total amount and the ratios among them. The goal is to achieve more stable second phase strengthening by control of alloy elements. Experimental results show that the future of modified 718 alloys is very attractive to raise the temperature capability improvement from 650oC to 680-700oC.