Abstract
Exploratory effort was initiated for the development of Fe-base alloys strengthened by intermetallic Laves phase combined with MC (M: metals) carbide for improved elevated-temperature strength in fossil energy system components such as super-heater tubes and industrial gas turbines. Work in FY 2006 was focused on strengthening of Fe-Cr-Ni base austenitic stainless alloys by Fe2Nb Laves-phase precipitates with/without MC carbides, in combination with the improvement of oxidation resistance via Al-modification to promote alumina scale formation. A series of Fe-Cr-Ni-Nb base austenitic alloys with additions of Mo, Al, Si, C, B, etc. were cast and thermomechanically processed, and then tensile creep-rupture tested at the conditions of 750-850oC/70-170 MPa. The Al-modified alloys strengthened by Laves + MC show superior creep strength to that of conventional type 347 stainless steels, and their creep life-limit reaches up to 500 h at 750 oC/100 MPa. These alloys also show an excellent oxidation resistance from 650-800oC in air and air + 10% water vapor environments due to formation of a protective Al2O3 scale. Microstructural analysis of alloys strengthened by only Laves phase revealed that the Laves phase was effective to pin dislocations when the particle size is less than 0.5 ��m, but the resultant creep rupture lives were relatively short. The Al-modification was also applied to an advanced carbide-strengthened austenitic stainless steel, and it yielded creep resistance comparable to state-of-the-art austenitic alloys such as NF709, together with protective alumina scale formation. Modification of this alloy composition for its creep strength and oxidation resistance will be pursued in FY2007. Preliminary results suggest that the developed alloys with Al-modification combined with MC carbide strengthening are promising as a new class of high-temperature austenitic stainless steels.
