Team from ORNL and NETL develop alloy for Additive Manufacturing crack-free, lightweight turbine blades

MaterialsNews
October 16, 2024

October 16, 2024

The PBF-EB Additive Manufacturing machine used to develop the crack-free alloy suitable for high temperatures (Courtesy Saket Thapliyal/ORNL, US DOE)
The PBF-EB Additive Manufacturing machine used to develop the crack-free alloy suitable for high temperatures (Courtesy Saket Thapliyal/ORNL, US DOE)

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Tennessee, USA, and the US National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), have developed and additively manufactured a light, crack-free alloy capable of operating at temperatures above 1,316ºC (2,400ºF) without melting.

The alloy combines seven elements in a niobium-rich, complex concentrated alloy whose melting point is at least 48% higher than the nickel and cobalt superalloys previously developed by ORNL. Researchers fine-tuned the electron beam melting process to additively manufacture test parts from the novel alloy.

THE WORLD OF POWDER METALLURGY TO YOUR INBOX
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter
Sign up

“No one has been able to develop and print alloys with such a high melting temperature and low density without cracks before,” said ORNL’s Saket Thapliyal. While certain metals (e.g. tungsten) can take the heat, they would add too much weight to an airplane. “This is significant. We’re making something lighter that can hold its structural integrity at ultra-high temperatures.”

The new alloy’s light weight and ability to withstand such high temperatures could enable additively manufactured turbine blades to better handle extreme temperatures, reducing the carbon footprint of gas turbine engines like those found in airplanes.

www.ornl.gov

www.netl.doe.gov

Download PM Review magazine

 

MaterialsNews
October 16, 2024

In the latest issue of PM Review…

Download PDF

Extensive Powder Metallurgy industry news coverage, and the following exclusive deep-dive articles and reports:

  • Collaboration drives success for PM: New Hyundai Motor applications developed with Korea Sintered Metal Co. and Höganäs AB
  • PowderMet2024 and AMPM2024 report: Cemented Carbides brought into focus in Pittsburgh
  • Powder Metallurgy shines in the MPIF’s 2024 Design Excellence Awards competition
  • PowderMet2024: The state of the Powder Metallurgy industry in North America
  • The wire that makes the powder: TGTi’s development of titanium wire feedstock for plasma atomisation

The latest news from the world of metal powders, delivered to your inbox

Don't miss any new issue of PM Review, and get the latest industry news. Sign up to our weekly newsletter.

Sign up

Join our community

Discover our magazine archive…

The free-to-access PM Review magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of Powder Metallurgy from a commercial and technological perspective through:

  • Reports on visits to leading PM part manufacturers, metal powder manufacturers and industry suppliers
  • Articles on technology and application trends
  • Information on materials developments
  • Reviews of key technical presentations from the international conference circuit
  • International industry news

All past issues are available to download as free PDFs or view in your browser.

 

Browse the archive

 

Looking for PM production equipment, metal powders, R&D support and more?

Discover suppliers of these and more in our
advertisers’ index and buyer’s guide, available in the back of PM Review magazine.

  • Powders & materials
  • Powder process, classification & analysis
  • PM products
  • Atomisers & powder production technology
  • Compaction presses, tooling & ancillaries
  • Sintering equipment & ancillaries
  • Post-processing
  • Consulting & toll sintering
View online
Share via
Copy link