Additive manufacturing in Inconel, what advantages for the aerospace sector?
The reactors of modern airliners are much more reliable than those of their predecessors because of important technological advances. Their design is guided by fuel economy and reliability. These reactors can be in operation for years while a single pair is enough to propel large aircraft across entire oceans. In addition to commercial applications, military operations are becoming increasingly dependent on the performance of modern jet aircraft engines.
It is possible that, in general, the material 'Inconel 718' is not well known. However, it is a material that began to develop in the mid-twentieth century and used profusely since the 1960s for the manufacture of aeronautical engine components among other things, and that is still used today in many components of reactors. This is not an obstacle for further research into the evolution of this alloy by the material departments of companies in the sector or the introduction of new ones with improved properties.
Further improvements are forthcoming given the growing interest of the aeronautics and space industry in metal additive manufacturing (FAM) for the production of critical functional components. In order to take full advantage of the cost and performance advantages of the FAM, these applications are moving towards high value-added components with complex geometries and high-end materials such as titanium or the Inconel.
Superalloys, a class of materials suitable for demanding aeronautical and space applications
The hotter the combustion, the higher the efficiency of the reactor
Operating a reactor at a higher temperature makes it possible to increase its energy efficiency (Carnot principle). For this, engineers rely on superalloys, also known as "heat resistant superalloys" or "high-temperature alloys". These materials are able to remain stable and withstand high mechanical stresses and strains, corrosion, and creep in extreme environments.
Superalloys withstand extreme conditions
Superalloys based on nickel and iron are particularly well suited in cases where resistance to creep, corrosion, and thermal shock are crucial. In addition, the metals provided by Inconel Plate suppliers can be hardened by solid solution and precipitation of intermetallic compounds in the metal matrix.
Superalloy Inconel, the cornerstone of the high-temperature structural applications of aeronautics and space. Introduced in 1965 on an industrial scale, the Inconel is relatively recent but very widespread nowadays.
The predominant superalloy in the world
It accounts for almost half of the global tonnage in superalloy. Considered refractory, it can endure very long temperatures above 600 ° C. Its modulus of elasticity (Young, stiffness) is twice that of Ti6Al4V and is comparable to that of carbon-improving steel such as CK45.
The alloy associates are good and break strength with high resistance to fatigue. It possesses long-time strength and toughness at higher temperature along with containment of corrosion resistance up to high temperature.
And in aviation turbojet engines
Inconel represents almost 50% of the weight of an aviation reactor. This is the main component of the discs, blades, and crankcase of the high-pressure zone of the compressor section, as well as some discs and vanes of the turbine section. The alloy also has many applications in rocket engines and cryogenic environments because of its good low-temperature ductility, preventing brittle fracture.
Certain alloy elements give Inconel excellent corrosion resistance up to 1000° C. Nickel can withstand stress corrosion in chlorinated environments and many inorganic and organic oxidizing compounds for a broad spectrum of acidity and alkalinity. According to Inconel Plate suppliers, Chromium protects against attack in oxidizing media and sulfur compounds while molybdenum improves resistance to pitting corrosion.
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