Nimonic 263
About Nimonic 263 Superalloy
Name and Equivalent Name
Nimonic 263, also referred to as Nickel-Chromium-Cobalt Alloy 263, is identified by UNS N07263. It meets various standards, including ASTM B637, DIN/EN 2.4650, AMS 5872, and ISO 15156, making it suitable for components that demand mechanical strength, creep resistance, and corrosion resistance at high temperatures.
Nimonic 263 Basic Introduction
Nimonic 263 is a precipitation-hardenable superalloy designed in high-temperature environments, primarily in aerospace, energy, and power generation applications. It offers excellent mechanical strength, thermal fatigue, and oxidation resistance, making it ideal for gas turbines, exhaust ducts, and heat exchangers.
This alloy performs efficiently under extreme conditions, retaining mechanical stability up to 800°C, and provides excellent resistance to thermal cycling. Its versatility makes it a preferred material for applications involving continuous exposure to stress and elevated temperatures.
Alternative Superalloys of Nimonic 263
Inconel 718 and Rene 41 offer similar strength and fatigue resistance, making them alternatives for high-performance applications. Nimonic 90 provides comparable oxidation resistance, while Hastelloy X is favored for environments with extreme corrosion conditions.
Waspaloy can be an option for applications with more stringent temperature requirements. Incoloy 800 is another alternative where thermal resistance and mechanical properties are needed but at slightly lower temperatures.
Nimonic 263 Design Intention
Nimonic 263 is designed to maintain mechanical strength and creep resistance at temperatures up to 800°C. Its composition allows it to resist deformation under continuous thermal and mechanical stress. The alloy's cobalt content enhances stability while adding molybdenum improves strength and resistance to thermal fatigue.
Nimonic 263 is suitable for aerospace components, gas turbines, and exhaust systems, where reliability under extreme conditions is essential. This alloy’s ability to resist oxidation makes it ideal for long-term, high-temperature service in demanding environments.
Nimonic 263 Chemical Composition
The alloy’s composition balances strength, oxidation resistance, and thermal fatigue stability, making it ideal for high-temperature applications.
Element | Composition (%) |
|---|---|
Nickel (Ni) | Balance |
Chromium (Cr) | 19.0 – 21.0 |
Cobalt (Co) | 19.0 – 21.0 |
Titanium (Ti) | 1.9 – 2.4 |
Molybdenum (Mo) | 5.6 – 6.1 |
Aluminum (Al) | 0.4 – 0.6 |
Nimonic 263 Physical Properties
Nimonic 263’s physical properties ensure performance under extreme thermal and mechanical loads.
Property | Value |
|---|---|
Density | 8.36 g/cm³ |
Melting Point | 1355°C |
Thermal Conductivity | 12.8 W/(m·K) |
Modulus of Elasticity | 212 GPa |
Metallographic Structure of Nimonic 263 Superalloy
Nimonic 263 features a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure characteristic of nickel-based alloys. Its microstructure benefits from precipitation hardening through gamma prime (γ') phases formed by the presence of aluminum and titanium, significantly enhancing mechanical strength and thermal stability.
The alloy maintains structural stability under continuous stress and high temperatures, ensuring that components remain deformation-resistant. Nimonic 263’s microstructure resists grain boundary sliding, which helps maintain creep resistance and extends the lifespan of components in high-stress environments.
Nimonic 263 Mechanical Properties
The mechanical properties of Nimonic 263 provide excellent fatigue strength, creep resistance, and thermal stability under extreme operating conditions.
Property | Value |
|---|---|
Tensile Strength | 950 – 1100 MPa |
Yield Strength | 760 – 800 MPa |
Hardness | Rockwell C35 – 45 |
Elongation | 20 – 25% |
Elastic Modulus | ~210 GPa |
Creep Strength | Effective at 800°C |
Fatigue Strength | ~400 – 450 MPa |
Creep Rupture Life | >10,000 hours at 800°C |
Key Features of Nimonic 263 Superalloy
High-Temperature Strength Nimonic 263 provides superior mechanical strength at elevated temperatures, making it suitable for gas turbines and aerospace components.
Creep and Fatigue Resistance The alloy offers excellent creep resistance, ensuring stability under continuous stress. Its fatigue strength makes it ideal for components subjected to repeated thermal cycles.
Thermal Fatigue Resistance Nimonic 263 performs well under thermal cycling, resisting cracking and deformation even during prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
Oxidation Resistance With high chromium content, Nimonic 263 provides excellent resistance to oxidation, ensuring durability in harsh environments where exposure to air and heat is constant.
Structural Stability The alloy maintains microstructural stability under extreme operating conditions, which helps retain mechanical strength and extends the service life of components.
Nimonic 263 Superalloy’s Machinability
Nimonic 263 is suitable for Vacuum Investment Casting due to its excellent fluidity and ability to maintain mechanical integrity at high temperatures, making it ideal for complex aerospace components.
This alloy is not typically used for Single Crystal Casting, as it is designed for precipitation hardening and not for single-crystal applications required in advanced jet engines.
Nimonic 263 performs well in Equiaxed Crystal Casting, producing isotropic properties suitable for turbine components operating under high stress.
It is also compatible with Superalloy Directional Casting, which improves mechanical strength by aligning grain structures, ideal for blades and vanes in high-temperature environments.
The alloy is not recommended for Powder Metallurgy Turbine Disc applications as it is optimized for casting and machining rather than powder-based manufacturing.
Nimonic 263 is highly effective in Superalloy Precision Forging, providing superior strength and fatigue resistance for aerospace components exposed to cyclic loads.
The alloy is unsuitable for Superalloy 3D Printing due to its high-temperature requirements, which are challenging for additive manufacturing processes.
CNC Machining works well with Nimonic 263, offering excellent dimensional stability and precision for complex, high-performance components.
It can be successfully used in Superalloy Welding, but special welding techniques are required to avoid cracking due to its precipitation-hardened structure.
Nimonic 263 responds well to Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP), improving material density, eliminating internal voids, and enhancing fatigue strength.
Nimonic 263 Superalloy Applications
In Aerospace and Aviation, Nimonic 263 is used for turbine blades, exhaust ducts, and other components that require thermal fatigue resistance and creep stability at high temperatures.
In the power generation industry, the alloy ensures the reliable operation of gas turbines, heat exchangers, and boilers that are exposed to continuous thermal stress.
For Oil and Gas applications, Nimonic 263 is used in pipelines, valves, and equipment that operate under high temperatures and corrosive conditions.
The alloy plays a crucial role in Energy systems, where its creep resistance and fatigue strength ensure reliable performance in industrial furnaces and turbines.
In Marine environments, Nimonic 263 is ideal for exhaust systems, propulsion units, and engine components exposed to seawater and extreme temperatures.
In Mining, the alloy is applied to wear-resistant components, such as pump housings and drilling tools, which must withstand mechanical stress and corrosion.
For Automotive applications, Nimonic 263 is used in turbochargers and exhaust systems to handle the thermal and mechanical stresses associated with engine operation.
In Chemical Processing, the alloy’s resistance to heat and corrosion makes it suitable for reactors, valves, and heat exchangers.
In the Pharmaceutical and Food industries, Nimonic 263 ensures the reliability of non-reactive and heat-resistant valves, pumps, and process equipment.
For Military and Defense applications, the alloy is used in jet engines and missile systems, where high fatigue strength and thermal stability are essential.
In Nuclear industries, Nimonic 263 is applied to reactors and heat exchangers, ensuring reliable performance under high radiation and extreme temperatures.
When to Choose Nimonic 263 Superalloy
Nimonic 263 is optimal for custom superalloy parts in environments requiring high thermal stability, mechanical strength, and fatigue resistance. It is ideal for components exposed to extreme heat, such as gas turbines, jet engines, and heat exchangers, where operational reliability is critical.
This alloy is especially useful in aerospace, power generation, and chemical processing industries, where thermal and mechanical performance are paramount. The alloy’s resistance to oxidation and thermal cycling ensures minimal maintenance and long service life, making it a cost-effective solution for high-performance applications.
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