SC180
About SC180 Superalloy
Name and Equivalent Name
SC180 is a first-generation nickel-based single-crystal superalloy standardized under AMS 5847. While SC180 is unique, it shares similarities with other single-crystal alloys like CMSX-2, PWA 1480, and SRR 99, all optimized for high-temperature aerospace and power generation applications.
SC180 Basic Introduction
SC180 is designed for highly high-temperature environments where mechanical stress and fatigue resistance are critical. Its single-crystal structure eliminates grain boundaries, minimizing the risk of creep and improving durability. This makes it highly suitable for turbine blades and components in jet engines.
The alloy offers a balanced composition of nickel, chromium, tungsten, tantalum, and rhenium, delivering exceptional thermal fatigue resistance. SC180 is commonly used in aerospace and energy industries, providing reliable performance under harsh cyclic thermal loads and extended service life.
Alternative Superalloys of SC180
Alternative materials to SC180 include first-generation alloys like CMSX-2 and SRR 99, which offer comparable strength and fatigue resistance. PWA 1480 is another suitable alternative with high-temperature performance. Second-generation alloys like CMSX-4 or René N5 may be preferred for applications demanding even higher creep resistance, though at a higher cost. SC180 remains a reliable option for applications where thermal stability and long service life are essential.
SC180 Design Intention
The design of SC180 focuses on improving fatigue resistance and maintaining mechanical integrity at elevated temperatures. The alloy’s single-crystal structure eliminates grain boundaries, enhancing resistance to creep and stress cracking. Including rhenium and tantalum increases creep strength, while chromium contributes to oxidation resistance. SC180 is ideal for critical applications like jet engine turbine blades, requiring thermal fatigue resistance and long service life.
SC180 Chemical Composition
Each element in SC180 plays a crucial role in its performance. Chromium offers oxidation resistance, tantalum and rhenium enhance creep resistance and aluminum forms stable oxide layers.
Element | Weight % |
|---|---|
Nickel (Ni) | Balance |
Chromium (Cr) | 5% |
Cobalt (Co) | 3% |
Tungsten (W) | 6% |
Aluminum (Al) | 5% |
Tantalum (Ta) | 7% |
Rhenium (Re) | 4% |
Yttrium (Y) | 0.02% |
SC180 Physical Properties
SC180 offers superior thermal stability and mechanical strength, making it ideal for aerospace and high-temperature energy applications.
Property | Value |
|---|---|
Density | 8.65 g/cm³ |
Melting Point | 1350°C |
Thermal Conductivity | 10.8 W/(m·K) |
Modulus of Elasticity | 214 GPa |
Tensile Strength | 1080 MPa |
Metallographic Structure of SC180 Superalloy
SC180 has a single-crystal microstructure that eliminates grain boundaries, preventing creep deformation and fatigue cracks under high-stress conditions. The gamma (γ) matrix, reinforced by gamma-prime (γ') precipitates, ensures mechanical stability at elevated temperatures. The γ' phase, consisting of nickel, aluminum, and tantalum, enhances the alloy's strength and resistance to plastic deformation.
The uniform dispersion of γ' precipitates ensures thermal stability under cyclic loading, which is essential for aerospace applications. SC180’s metallographic structure offers enhanced durability and minimizes fatigue, even at temperatures exceeding 1050°C.
SC180 Mechanical Properties
SC180 exhibits high tensile strength, excellent thermal fatigue resistance, and long service life under high-temperature conditions, making it ideal for turbine blades and other critical components.
Property | Value |
|---|---|
Tensile Strength | ~1200 MPa |
Yield Strength | ~950 MPa |
Creep Strength | Excellent at 1050°C |
Fatigue Strength | ~650 MPa |
Creep Rupture Life | Long service life at 1050°C |
Hardness (HRC) | 40-45 |
Elongation | 10-12% |
Modulus of Elasticity | ~230 GPa |
Key Features of SC180 Superalloy
High-Temperature Fatigue Resistance SC180 is engineered to resist thermal fatigue, making it ideal for jet engine turbine blades exposed to rapid temperature changes and cyclic loading.
Creep Strength and Stability The alloy provides excellent creep resistance at 1050°C, maintaining mechanical integrity under prolonged high-temperature stress conditions.
Oxidation and Corrosion Resistance Chromium and aluminum enhance oxidation resistance, ensuring the alloy's durability in high-temperature, oxidative environments like gas turbines.
Single-Crystal Structure SC180's single-crystal design eliminates grain boundaries, significantly reducing creep deformation and enhancing fatigue life in critical aerospace applications.
Long Service Life SC180 offers a long service life, even under extreme conditions, with creep rupture performance exceeding 10,000 hours at 1050°C. This ensures reliability and reduces maintenance needs for components in demanding environments.
SC180 Superalloy’s Machinability
SC180 is suitable for Vacuum Investment Casting due to its excellent flow characteristics and ability to form complex, high-precision components with minimal defects.
SC180 is also ideal for Single Crystal Casting, leveraging its grain boundary-free structure to enhance fatigue resistance and creep performance in demanding applications.
The alloy is unsuitable for Equiaxed Crystal casting as it requires superior mechanical properties achievable only with a single-crystal structure.
SC180 can be used in Superalloy Directional Casting, but single-crystal casting remains the preferred method for maximum fatigue resistance and thermal stability.
It is incompatible with Powder Metallurgy Turbine Disc processes since maintaining a single-crystal structure is critical for optimal performance, which powder metallurgy cannot achieve.
Superalloy Precision Forging is not recommended for SC180 due to the difficulty of deforming single-crystal alloys without compromising their mechanical integrity.
SC180 is unsuitable for Superalloy 3D Printing since current additive manufacturing methods cannot reliably produce single-crystal components.
Due to its hardness and wear resistance, it can undergo CNC Machining with specialized tools, achieving the tight tolerances required for aerospace components.
Superalloy Welding is generally avoided as it may introduce defects in the single-crystal structure, compromising its performance.
Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) improves SC180’s mechanical properties by eliminating internal porosity and enhancing structural integrity.
SC180 Superalloy Applications
In Aerospace and Aviation, SC180 is used for turbine blades and vanes, where high fatigue resistance and thermal stability are essential.
For Power Generation, SC180 ensures long service life in gas turbines, maintaining stability under extreme temperatures.
In the oil and gas industry, SC180 is applied to high-temperature turbine components, ensuring reliable operation in harsh environments.
The Energy sector uses SC180 for turbines in traditional and renewable energy systems, where thermal fatigue resistance is critical.
In the Marine industry, SC180 supports propulsion systems and turbines exposed to high temperatures and corrosive environments.
For Mining, SC180 is used in specialized equipment such as pumps and tools for high-temperature operations.
The Automotive industry uses SC180 in motorsport engines and high-performance components requiring excellent thermal stability.
Chemical Processing applications leverage SC180’s oxidation resistance and strength in reactors and heat exchangers.
In the Pharmaceutical and Food industries, SC180 is used for high-temperature sterilization equipment with corrosion resistance requirements.
The military and defense sectors employ SC180 in jet engines and propulsion systems, where durability is essential under extreme stress.
In Nuclear applications, SC180 supports turbine components in reactors, maintaining integrity under high radiation and thermal conditions.
When to Choose SC180 Superalloy
Choose SC180 when your application demands exceptional mechanical stability, high fatigue, and oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures. SC180 is an excellent option for custom superalloy parts in aerospace, power generation, and defense industries, where long-term reliability and high performance are essential. This alloy excels in environments with cyclic thermal loads and high mechanical stress, such as jet engines and gas turbines. Even at temperatures exceeding 1050°C, its long service life ensures reduced maintenance and operational efficiency. When selecting materials for components exposed to extreme conditions, SC180 offers an optimal combination of strength, fatigue resistance, and stability.
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