• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.265-272
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• 2023

The aim of this study was to develop a new in-situ observation method and instrument in micro-scale to investigate the mechanism of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) initiation of Ni-base alloys in a high temperature water environment of pressurized water reactors (PWRs). A laser confocal microscope (LCM), an autoclave with diamond window view port, and a slow strain-rate tester with primary water circulation loop system were components of the instrument. Diamond window, one of the core components of the instrument, was selected based on its optical, chemical, and mechanical properties. LCM was used to observe the specimen in micro-scale, considering the experimental condition of a high-temperature primary water environment. Using in-situ method and instrument, it is possible to observe oxidation and deformation of specimen surface in micro-scale through the diamond window in a high-temperature primary water in real-time. The in-situ method and instrument developed in this work can be utilized to investigate effects of various factors on SCC initiation in a high-temperature water environment.

• Proceedings of the KWS Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.235-243
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• 2002

Ni-base superalloys are used extensively in industry, both in aeroengines and land based turbines. About 60% by weight of most modern gas turbine engine structural components are made of Ni-base superalloys. To satisfy practical demands, the efficiency of gas turbine engines has been steadily and systematically increased by design modifications to handle higher turbine inlet or firing temperatures. However, the increase in operating temperatures has lead to a decrease in the life of components and increase in costs of replacement. Moreover, around 80% of the large frame size industrial/utility gas turbines operating in the world today were installed in the mid-sixties to early seventies and are now 25 to 30 years old. Consequently, there are greater opportunities now to repair and refurbish the older models. Basically, there are two major factors influencing the weldability of the cast alloys: strain-age cracking and liquation cracking. Susceptibility to strain-age cracking is due to the total Ti plus AI content of the alloy; Liquation cracking is due either to the presence of low melting constituents or constitutional liquation of constituents. Though Rene 41 superalloy has 4.5wt.% total Ti and Al content and falls just below the safe limit proposed by Prager et al., controlled grain size and special heat treatments are needed to obtain crack-free welds. Varying heat treatments and filler materials were used in a laboratory study, then the actual welding of service parts was carried out to verity the possibility of crack-tree weld of components fabricated from Rene 41 superalloy. The microstructural observations indicated that there were two kinds of carbides in the FCC matrix. MC carbides were located along the grain boundaries, while M$_{23}$C$_{6}$ carbide was located both inter and intra granularly. Two kinds of filler materials, Rene 41 and Hastelloy X were used to gas tungsten arc weld a patch into the sheet metal, along with varying pre-weld heat treatments. The microstructure, hardness and tensile tests were determined. The service distressed parts were categorized into three classes: with large cracks, with medium cracks and with small or no visible cracks. No significant difference in microstructure among the specimens was observed. Specimens were cut from the corner and the straight edge of the patch repair, away from the corner. The only cracks present were found to be associated with inadequate surface preparation to remove oxidation. Guidelines for oxide removal and the welding procedures developed in the research enabled crack-free welds to be produced.d.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.858-866
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• 1998

Soldering is the usual method used to correct an unstable fixed partial denture framework at patient's try-in; However, presoldering base metal alloys is technique-sensitve and results are unstable because it is difficult to maintain uniform heat distribution and to prevent oxidation of an alloy. A cast-joining technique has been developed by Weiss and Munyon for repair, correction and addition to base metal framework. This joining technique eliminates the problem with presoldering of non-precious frameworks. The object of this study was to 1) compare the relative flexure strength and the joining effectiveness of Ni-Cr-Be cast in two pieces and 'pre-soldered' versus in two pieces and 'cast-joined'. 2) determine the effect of increasing the number of retentive grooves on the face of the cast and 3) determine the effect of the relative matched position of groove patterns on flexure strength. The joining effectiveness can be expressed by the ratio of the mean flexure stress of soldered or cast-joined specimens to that of one-piece cast. Resin rods 3mm in diameter were used as pattern of specimens for one-piece casted, presoldered, and cast-joined groups. Cast-joined specimens had two different patterns of retentive grooves on the joined faces. Type A had cross-shaped grooves 1mm in depth. 0.6mm in width. Type B was the same except for the addition of one more retentive groove. In the experiment connecting cast-joined specimens, half of specimens with type A pattern had their patterns on the faces of paired casts matched with each other as mirror image. With the rest pairs, it was proceeded that one of paired casts turned 45 degrees so that the patterns crossed. Half of specimens with type B pattern also had the patterns matched as mirror image; However, here, one of paired casts turned 90 degrees with the other pairs. Retentive groove in this study lacked the intentional undercuts, in contrast with the suggestion of Weiss and Munyon. The specimens were subjected to four-point flexural loading in an Instron testing machine. The midspan flexural stress was calculated at the point of initial plastic strain as determined from a strip-chart recorder or at the point of failure if this occured at a lower stress level. Within the scope of this study, the following results were obtained. 1. The presoldered group showed flexural strength at least 2 times higher than the cast-joined groups. Its joining effectiveness was 82%. 2. In cast-joined groups, the flexural strength of joints with type B patterns exhibited 1.5 times that of joints with type A patterns. Joining effectivenesses were 38% for type B patterns, 25-26% for type A patterns. 3. The relative matched position of groove patterns did not have any significant effect on flexural strength of the cast-joined specimens with either type A patterns or type B patterns(p>.05).

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.316-321
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• 2007

The effect of annealing on the pitting corrosion resistance of anodized Al-Mg alloy (AA5052) processed by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) was investigated by electrochemical techniques in a solution containing 0.2 mol/L of $AlCl_3$ and also by surface analysis. The Al-Mg alloy was annealed at a fixed temperature between 473 and 573 K for 120 min in air after ECAP. Anodizing was conducted for 40 min at $100-400A/m^2$ at 293 K in a solution containing 1.53 mol/L of $H_2SO_4$ and 0.0185 mol/L of $Al_2(SO_4)_3$. The internal stress generated in anodic oxide films during anodization was measured with a strain gauge to clarify the effect of ECAP on the pitting corrosion resistance of anodized Al-Mg alloy. The time required to initiate the pitting corrosion of anodized Al-Mg alloy was shorter in samples subjected to ECAP, indicating that ECAP decreased the pitting corrosion resistance. However, the pitting corrosion resistance was greatly improved by annealing after ECAP. The time required to initiate pitting corrosion increased with increasing annealing temperature. The strain gauge attached to Al-Mg alloy revealed that the internal stress present in the anodic oxide films was compressive stress, and that the stress was larger with ECAP than without. The compressive internal stress gradually decreased with increasing annealing temperature. Scanning electron microscopy showed that cracks occurred in the anodic oxide film on Al-Mg alloy during initial corrosion and that the cracks were larger with ECAP than without. The ECAP process of severe plastic deformation produces large internal stresses in the Al-Mg alloy; the stresses remain in the anodic oxide films, increasingthe likelihood of cracks. It is assumed that the pitting corrosion is promoted by these cracks as a result of the higher internal stress resulting from ECAP. The improvement in the pitting corrosion resistance of anodized AlMg alloy as a result of annealing appears to be attributable to a decrease in the internal stresses in anodic oxide films