The Behaviour of Superalloys in Marine Gas Turbine Engine Conditions

This paper presents hot corrosion results carried out systematically on the selected nickel based superalloys such as IN 738 LC, GTM-SU-718 and GTM-SU-263 for marine gas turbine engines both at high and low temperatures that represent type I and type II hot corrosion respectively. The results were compared with advanced superalloy under similar conditions in order to understand the characteristics of the selected superalloys. It is observed that the selected superalloys are relatively more resistant to type I and type II hot corrosion when compared to advanced superalloy. In fact, the advanced superalloy is extremely vulnerable to both types of hot corrosion. Subsequently, the relevant reaction mechanisms that are responsible for slow and faster degradation of various superalloys under varied hot corrosion conditions were discussed. Based on the results obtained with different techniques, a degradation mechanism for all the selected superalloys as well as advanced superalloy under both types of hot corrosion conditions was explained. Finally, the necessity as well as developmental efforts with regard to smart corrosion resistant coatings for their effective protection under high temperature conditions was stressed for their enhanced efficiency.