Application of Ni-based superalloy in aero turbine blade: A review

A superalloy is a high-performance alloy used for achieving stability and strength at elevated temperatures. Generally, a temperature of about 800°C is developed at the first stage of the aero turbine blade. So it is a challenge to choose a material that can withstand such high temperatures. Nowadays advanced generation single crystal Ni-based superalloys are being used for the fulfillment of high-temperature requirements in aero turbine components. But the continuous effort is being carried out to manufacture new materials that can withstand more and more temperatures generated at aero turbine because the high-temperature operation of the turbine is directly proportional to the efficiency of a turbine engine. The requirement of high-temperature application upgraded the Ni-based superalloy and different generations of alloys were prepared from time to time those were discussed in the paper. Recent developments of superalloys in the paper mainly include fifth and sixth generations of superalloys those incorporate Hf, Re, and Ru-like elements in significant amounts. A brief extension discussion has been placed on the types, processing, and hot deformation characteristics of Ni-based superalloys. VIM melting, single crystal growth, directional solidification, and powder metallurgy techniques for manufacturing Ni-based superalloys are discussed in detail. The strengthening mechanism and machinability behavior depict the characteristics of superalloys in a mechanical direction. Heat treatment and hot deformation behavior of Ni-based superalloy was precisely discussed in the context so as to correlate the strength of the material with the temperature change. Overall, the paper describes the origin, processing and characteristics of Nickel based superalloy in detail.