Mipar software enables precise and repeatable quantification of nickel alloy precipitates

September 26, 2018
Source:

Mipar Software, Worthington, Ohio, announces that it has developed a software package called Mipar that enables engineers to quantify the size distribution and volume fraction of gamma-prime Ni3Al precipitates in nickel-base superalloys. Nickel-base superalloys are extensively used in high-temperature, high-stress applications. The presence of coherent γ′-Ni3Al precipitates provides the requisite elevated temperature strength and creep resistance in these alloys.

Therefore, quantification of the precipitate size distribution and volume fraction is essential for accurate model predictions and future alloy design. Current γ′ volume fraction characterization techniques lack precision and repeatability. Without a reproducible procedure, unacceptable variations and errors have plagued the past six decades of superalloys research and have inhibited the implementation of accurate precipitation models for these alloys.

Through the use of high resolution, low kV, scanning electron microscopy pioneered at NASA, and state-of-the-art image post-processing, a new, accurate γ′ characterization technique has been developed, and will be demonstrated at MS&T 2018 (booth 407). Using the new technique, secondary γ′ volume fractions in superalloy ME3 were calculated, and confirmed through phase extraction, thus opening the possibility for validation of presently used superalloy precipitation databases.

Using Mipar, along with a new imaging technique, NASA overcame barriers to accurate image analysis that had frustrated the aerospace materials community for decades. This led to published methods which NASA has proposed as a new standard for nickel superalloy analysis.

Link to Paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1044580318304716

www.mipar.us

 

Mipar software enables precise and repeatable quantification of nickel alloy precipitates

Mipar Software, Worthington, Ohio, announces that it has developed a software program called Mipar that enables engineers to quantify the size distribution and volume fraction of gamma-prime Ni3Al precipitates in nickel-base superalloys.

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Nanosteel spins out 3D printing business to commercialize steel alloy powders

September 21, 2018
Source:

Nanosteel Corp., Providence, announces the spinout of its additive manufacturing business unit into a new corporation named Formetrix.  Led by an industrial leader in additive manufacturing and including investors Cycad Group and SPDG, Formetrix closed its Series A capital raise to accelerate the commercialization of Formetrix steel alloys for 3D printing processes.

 

Over the past four years, the team has developed novel alloys with exceptional material properties that current 3D printable or metal injection molded alloys do not offer. Leveraging NanoSteel’s decade long expertise in patented steel alloy design, Formetrix metal powder portfolio provides an attractive combination of benefits such as higher hardness, higher ductility, and higher wear resistance than existing alternatives.

 

The company’s initial industry focus is on materials for hot and cold forming tool and dies (i.e. molding, casting and stamping) within the automotive, oil and gas, and heavy machinery markets. Formetrix patented BLDRmetal powders use conventional steel alloying elements in novel ratios to create a powder platform well suited to the stresses experienced in most additive manufacturing processes.

 

“Formetrix was formed to provide new, high performance steel alloys to accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing within the tool and die and aluminum die cast industries,” says NanoSteel President and CEO David Paratore. “Growth in these sectors has been limited in part to the lack of suitable materials, and we believe we have developed excellent new options.”

 

www.nanosteelco.com

Nanosteel spins out 3D printing business to commercialize steel alloy powders

Nanosteel Corp., Providence, announces the spinout of its additive manufacturing business unit into a new corporation named Formetrix.

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Federal research ship discovers new methane hydrate deposits along the Atlantic coast


Source:

The U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, reports that an interagency federal research ship recently sailed along the Mid-Atlantic margin to characterize methane hydrate deposits. The researchers collected 2000 km of Multi-Channel Seismic System data that confirmed previously detected methane hydrates, and also discovered new deposits.

 

Methane hydrate is a cage-like lattice of ice that contains trapped molecules of methane, the chief constituent of natural gas. If a methane hydrate is warmed or depressurized, it reverts to water and natural gas. When brought to the earth's surface, one cubic foot of gas hydrate releases up to 180 cubic feet of natural gas, making it a potentially massive new energy source. Hydrate deposits occur under Arctic permafrost and beneath the ocean floor along continental margins.

 

Researchers acquired six seismic lines running down the continental slope from the shelf-break to waters as deep as about 12,100 feet offshore New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. The work of the cruise fills a gap in modern seismic data acquisition along the U.S. Atlantic margin and will be used by academic collaborators and other researchers.

 

“USGS researchers have been involved for decades in investigations that are helping us understand the full extent of the hydrate resource,” says Skip Pratt, NETL Project Manager.  â€œWe are pleased that we were able to support a project that is making important advances in understanding gas hydrates.” Federal agencies, along with the private sector and academic institutions, are all working together to gain a better understanding of the nature and distribution of marine gas hydrates.

 

https://www.energy.gov/fe/articles/doe-netl-supported-research-cruise-racks-methane-hydrate-data-successes

Federal research ship discovers new methane hydrate deposits along the Atlantic coast

The U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, reports that an interagency federal research ship recently sailed along the Mid-Atlantic margin to characterize methane hydrate deposits.

Continue reading

One-Minute Mentor: AerMet Alloys

April 16, 2018
Source: ASM International

One-Minute Mentor: AerMet Alloys

The graph shows a comparison of AerMet alloys and maraging steels in terms of (a) ductility vs. specific strength and (b) Charpy V-notch impact toughness vs. specific strength.

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Outokumpu Supra 316plus stainless steel reduces weight of LNG tank container by 30%

September 13, 2017
Source:

Outokumpu Oy, Finland, announces that Finnish liquefied natural gas tank manufacturer LNGTainer has launched a new tank that brings together two innovations – LNGTainer's game-changing tank container, and Outokumpu's unique austenitic stainless steel grade, Supra 316plus (EN 1.4420, UNS S31655).

"The most revolutionary aspect of LNGTainer's new tank container is that the structure includes a lightweight, flexible inside tank, and an outside pressure vessel," says LGTainer CEO Tom Sommardal. "For the lightweight inside tank, we chose Outokumpu's Supra 316plus steel grade. With the new patented structure, we could decrease the weight of the tank by 30% and increase its capacity by 15%. Because the weight of the inside tank is significantly less than in competing tanks, the time for cooling off the inside tank is considerably shorter. The lightweight inside tank cools off faster for transport."  

LNGTainer first considered aluminum for the inside tank, while Outokumpu offered Supra 316plus because of its properties. Supra 316plus has relatively better low-temperature properties compared to other similar materials. In fact, its strength and ductility only improve as the temperature drops down to the lowest measured cryogenic temperature of  −196°Celsius. LNG is transported at a temperature of −164°C, and then is warmed back to gas when delivered.

"By having excellent low temperature properties, Supra 316plus enables thinner gauges, which translates as savings in weight, fuel, and energy costs, as well as a lower carbon footprint. LNGTainer's new tank container is a real breakthrough, and it demonstrates the best use of stainless steel properties in extreme conditions," says Product Manager Juha Kela at Outokumpu.

Supra 316plus has a higher chromium and nitrogen content, and less nickel and molybdenum. Thanks to the optimized composition, the grade has good corrosion resistance and its performance is superior to conventional steel grades when the temperature drops down to cryogenic temperatures. In addition, the price of the grade is competitive and stable.

www.outokumpu.com/stainless-news

 

 

Outokumpu Supra 316plus stainless steel reduces weight of LNG tank container by 30%

Outokumpu Oy, Finland, announces that Finnish liquefied natural gas tank manufacturer LNGTainer has launched a new tank that brings together two innovations – LNGTainer’s game-changing tank container, and Outokumpu’s unique austenitic stainless steel grade, Supra 316plus (EN 1.4420, UNS S31655).

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Siemens and Chromalloy form joint venture to cast turbine blade components

May 13, 2017
Source:

Siemens AG, Germany, and Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corp., Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., have entered a partnership to form a new joint venture called Advanced Airfoil Components, which will cast turbine blade and vane components for power generation. Both partners are investing approximately $130 million in combined value to create a new production facility in the United States.

The location is being finalized, and multiple southern states are under evaluation. Groundbreaking is scheduled to take place later this year, and is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2018. The stand-alone manufacturing plant will supply only to Siemens. Start-up part qualifications and production shipments are in process at Chromalloy's existing facility.

"The decision to form a joint venture and a new production facility continues our strong commitment to the United States as a business location," says Willi Meixner, CEO of the Siemens Power and Gas Division. "Siemens and Chromalloy already have a long-lasting supplier relationship, and our new joint venture will exclusively supply Siemens with casting components for our gas turbines. We will continue our established key casting supplier partnerships and all the existing long-term agreements will be executed."

"Continuing to build our partnership is very important and shows the value we place in each other's capabilities and expertise," says Chromalloy president Carlo Luzzatto. "Chromalloy continues to be a leader in providing innovative, high-technology manufacturing capabilities for gas turbine engines. And we are going to bring those capabilities to help create and grow this new business with Siemens."

Siemens has more than 60 manufacturing sites and approximately 50,000 employees in the United States, where Siemens has invested $40 billion over the past 15 years.

www.siemens.com/press/PR2017050293PGEN

www.chromalloy.com

 

Siemens and Chromalloy form joint venture to cast turbine blade components

Siemens AG, Germany, and Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corp., Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., have entered a partnership to form a new joint venture called Advanced Airfoil Components, which will cast turbine blade and vane components for power generation.

Continue reading