CMSX-486
About CMSX-486
Name and Equivalent Name: CMSX-486 is a nickel-based single-crystal superalloy designed for extreme operating conditions. While it is identified by AMS 5829, it has no direct UNS or ASTM equivalent. This alloy finds applications in industries that require components with excellent fatigue resistance and mechanical performance at elevated temperatures, such as aerospace and power generation.
CMSX-486 Basic Introduction
CMSX-486 is a high-strength, single-crystal superalloy optimized for high-temperature applications. It is designed to maintain performance under cyclic fatigue and continuous stress at temperatures exceeding 1100°C. With its balanced microstructure, CMSX-486 ensures long-term stability and operational reliability, making it ideal for turbine blades and other critical components.
The alloy features excellent resistance to creep deformation and oxidation, ensuring performance stability under prolonged stress. It is commonly used in high-temperature environments, where its fatigue resistance reduces maintenance intervals and extends service life, particularly in aerospace engines and gas turbines.
Alternative Superalloys of CMSX-486
CMSX-486 competes with similar high-performance single-crystal superalloys, such as CMSX-4 and CMSX-10. CMSX-4 offers excellent creep resistance and oxidation properties, making it well-suited for combustion chambers. CMSX-10, on the other hand, delivers enhanced fatigue strength and is preferred in cyclic thermal environments.
Other alternatives include Rene N6, which provides strong mechanical properties and oxidation resistance, and IN738, which is used in less demanding environments due to its cost-effectiveness compared to single crystal alloys.
CMSX-486 Design Intention
CMSX-486 is designed for applications that require long-term durability under extreme mechanical and thermal stress. Its single-crystal structure eliminates grain boundaries, minimizing creep deformation and enhancing fatigue resistance.
The alloy incorporates rhenium and tantalum to improve high-temperature strength and creep resistance. Additionally, cobalt and aluminum contribute to oxidation resistance, enabling CMSX-486 to perform reliably in challenging environments such as turbine engines, where thermal and mechanical stability are essential.
CMSX-486 Chemical Composition
The chemical composition of CMSX-486 is carefully optimized to balance strength, fatigue resistance, and thermal stability.
Element | Composition (%) |
|---|---|
Nickel (Ni) | Balance |
Chromium (Cr) | 3 |
Cobalt (Co) | 9.5 |
Tungsten (W) | 4 |
Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.6 |
Aluminum (Al) | 5.6 |
Titanium (Ti) | 1 |
Tantalum (Ta) | 8 |
Rhenium (Re) | 3 |
Hafnium (Hf) | 0.1 |
CMSX-486 Physical Properties
CMSX-486 exhibits outstanding thermal stability, ensuring minimal performance degradation under high stress and heat.
Property | Value |
|---|---|
Density (g/cm³) | 8.77 |
Melting Point (°C) | 1350 |
Thermal Conductivity (W/(m·K)) | 10.8 |
Modulus of Elasticity (GPa) | 220 |
Metallographic Structure of CMSX-486 Superalloy
CMSX-486 features a single crystal structure, eliminating grain boundaries and contributing to creep deformation. The absence of grain boundaries enhances the alloy’s fatigue resistance, ensuring long-term durability under thermal and mechanical cycling.
The alloy contains gamma-prime (γ') precipitates, which improve strength by preventing dislocation movement within the crystal lattice. Adding rhenium and tantalum enhances the alloy’s high-temperature strength and creep resistance, making CMSX-486 ideal for components exposed to prolonged thermal stress.
CMSX-486 Mechanical Properties
CMSX-486 delivers exceptional mechanical performance, including high tensile strength and fatigue resistance, ensuring reliability in high-stress environments.
Property | Value |
|---|---|
Tensile Strength (MPa) | ~1200 |
Yield Strength (MPa) | ~1080 |
Creep Strength | High at 1050-1150°C |
Fatigue Strength (MPa) | ~650 |
Hardness (HRC) | 42-47 |
Elongation (%) | 10-12 |
Creep Rupture Life | > 20,000 hours at 1100°C, 245 MPa |
Modulus of Elasticity (GPa) | ~230 |
Key Features of CMSX-486 Superalloy
Exceptional Fatigue Resistance CMSX-486 offers outstanding fatigue resistance, making it ideal for rotating components in gas turbines that experience frequent temperature fluctuations.
High Creep Strength Designed to perform under high stress, CMSX-486 maintains structural integrity at temperatures exceeding 1100°C, ensuring long-term reliability.
Long Creep Rupture Life With a rupture life exceeding 20,000 hours at elevated temperatures, CMSX-486 minimizes maintenance and downtime, improving operational efficiency.
Superior Oxidation Resistance The alloy’s chromium and aluminum content provide excellent oxidation resistance, protecting components from environmental degradation in extreme conditions.
Stable Mechanical Performance CMSX-486 ensures consistent mechanical properties across various temperatures, making it suitable for high-stress applications such as jet engines and turbines.
CMSX-486 Superalloy’s Machinability
CMSX-486 can be effectively used in Vacuum Investment Casting due to its high fluidity and ability to maintain mechanical properties during solidification.
Single Crystal Casting is the primary manufacturing method for CMSX-486, as it eliminates grain boundaries, enhancing creep resistance and fatigue strength under extreme conditions.
However, CMSX-486 is not suited for Equiaxed Crystal casting due to its single crystal design, which lacks grain boundaries essential for this process.
Superalloy Directional Casting is also not ideal for CMSX-486, as the alloy’s properties are optimized for single crystal rather than columnar grain structures.
CMSX-486 is incompatible with Powder Metallurgy Turbine Disc techniques, as its single crystal microstructure is not achievable through powder consolidation processes.
Superalloy Precision Forging is unsuitable for CMSX-486, as forging can disrupt the crystal structure, reducing the intended mechanical performance.
Although CMSX-486 can undergo Superalloy 3D Printing, the method is still being refined for single crystal structures, limiting its widespread adoption.
CNC Machining is viable for CMSX-486, but due to its high hardness, specialized tools and machining techniques are required to prevent tool wear.
Superalloy Welding is challenging for CMSX-486, as welding introduces grain boundaries and can compromise the single crystal integrity.
Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) benefits CMSX-486 by eliminating porosity, further enhancing its mechanical properties and long-term performance.
CMSX-486 Superalloy Applications
Aerospace and Aviation CMSX-486 is used in Aerospace and Aviation applications for turbine blades, where high creep resistance and thermal fatigue strength are critical for engine efficiency.
Power Generation In Power Generation, CMSX-486 is employed in gas turbines due to its excellent performance in high-temperature environments, minimizing downtime and maintenance.
Oil and Gas In the Oil and Gas sector, CMSX-486 is used in compressor components, offering resistance to oxidation and thermal degradation.
Energy The alloy is ideal for Energy production facilities, where high-temperature turbines operate continuously, benefiting from CMSX-486’s long-term reliability.
Marine In Marine environments, CMSX-486 ensures durability in gas turbines used for ship propulsion, withstanding thermal stress and saltwater corrosion.
Mining CMSX-486 finds use in Mining equipment subjected to extreme temperatures, offering enhanced fatigue resistance and longevity.
Automotive In Automotive applications, CMSX-486 supports high-performance engines by improving the efficiency and heat tolerance of turbocharger components.
Chemical Processing Chemical Processing industries use CMSX-486 for components requiring high corrosion resistance and mechanical strength under harsh environments.
Pharmaceutical and Food CMSX-486 components in Pharmaceutical and Food sectors ensure long-term performance in high-temperature processing equipment.
Military and Defense In Military and Defense, CMSX-486 is employed in jet engines and missile systems for its superior thermal stability and strength.
Nuclear CMSX-486 ensures reliability in Nuclear facilities, where components must resist high temperatures and radiation-induced stress.
When to Choose CMSX-486 Superalloy
CMSX-486 is ideal for industries requiring high-performance materials that can endure extreme temperatures and mechanical stress. Its primary application lies in gas turbines, jet engines, and energy production plants, where long-term performance and thermal fatigue resistance are critical. For manufacturers developing custom superalloy parts, CMSX-486 offers superior mechanical properties and stability under continuous operation, reducing maintenance intervals and operational costs.
This alloy is particularly suitable for cyclic environments where components such as aerospace engines and marine propulsion systems must withstand frequent temperature fluctuations. With its high creep resistance and thermal stability, CMSX-486 ensures operational reliability, extending the service life of critical equipment in demanding sectors.
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