Inconel Alloys
Properties: Nickel-chromium-based (Inconel) superalloys are known for their excellent mechanical properties, including high-temperature strength, creep resistance, and oxidation resistance. These alloys often contain elements such as chromium, molybdenum, and aluminum, which contribute to the formation of strengthening precipitates like γ’ and γ’’. These precipitates enhance the materials’ resistance to deformation at elevated temperatures. The rapid solidification during additive manufacturing (AM) processes enables the creation of complex microstructures with superior mechanical properties, such as improved fatigue resistance and weldability. Additionally, the high chromium content in these alloys forms a protective oxide layer that provides exceptional resistance to oxidation and corrosion, making them highly durable in aggressive environments.
Applications: Nickel-based superalloys are widely used in extreme environments, such as aerospace engines, gas turbines, and nuclear reactors. They are essential for turbine blades and other high-stress components in aerospace, while in nuclear applications, they are used for reactor components exposed to high temperatures and radiation. Their excellent corrosion resistance makes them suitable for use in harsh environments, including high-temperature gases, seawater, and aggressive chemicals. Additive manufacturing of these superalloys allows for the production of parts with complex geometries and internal cooling channels, enhancing component performance and reducing material waste.
Sc-doped Al alloys
Properties: Additive manufacturing processes for high-performance aluminum alloys, including the 6xxx and 7xxx series, pose considerable challenges primarily due to the steep cooling rates associated with these methods, often leading to hot cracking. Scandium (Sc) addition can mitigate these issues by refining the grain structure. The addition of Sc promotes heterogeneous nucleation, which refines the grain size and enhances the mechanical properties of the alloy. This modification has been shown to effectively eliminate microcracks, making Sc an effective modifier for the performance of aluminum alloys in additive manufacturing.
Applications: One potential application of Al-Sc alloys is in the energy industry, particularly for hydrogen storage. The refined grain structure offered by Sc doping plays a crucial role in enhancing resistance to hydrogen embrittlement (HE). Smaller grains limit the movement of hydrogen atoms within the alloy, thereby enhancing its resistance to embrittlement. This is particularly significant in hydrogen refueling stations, pipelines, and storage cylinders, which are typically subjected to high-pressure hydrogen environments. With improved mechanical properties and a reduced tendency for cracking, Al-Sc alloys are promising materials for these applications, offering safer and more durable solutions for hydrogen storage.
Scalmalloy (Al-Sc)
Properties: High weldability, low thermal expansion, high mechanical properties at elevated temperatures, high corrosion resistance, and high fatigue life.
Applications: High-performance heat exchangers, jet engine parts, and defense applications.
High Entropy Alloys
Properties: High entropy alloys (HEAs) are a class of advanced materials characterized by their unique composition, typically consisting of five or more principal elements in near-equiatomic proportions. This unconventional approach deviates from traditional alloys, which are usually dominated by one or two principal elements. The multiple principal elements in HEAs result in a high degree of configurational entropy, which stabilizes their solid solution phase and leads to exceptional mechanical properties such as high strength, excellent wear resistance, and superior thermal stability.
Applications: These properties make HEAs highly promising for a wide range of applications, including aerospace, nuclear reactors, and wear-resistant coatings. Additionally, their potential for customization through the selection and proportion of constituent elements allows for the development of tailored materials designed to meet specific performance requirements in various industries.
Shape Memory Alloys
Properties: Shape memory effect, super elasticity, elastic modulus close to the one in human bones, high corrosion resistance and good biocompatibility.
Applications: Biomedical applications, such as bone plates, orthodontics, stents, dental implants, and surgical instruments.
Intermetallic γ-TiAl
Properties: High mechanical strength, elastic modulus, corrosion resistance, low diffusion coefficient, high ignition temperature, good creep resistance, and structural stability.
Applications: High temperature applications, aircraft engines, automobile parts, defense applications, and gas turbines.
316L Stainless Steel
Properties: High corrosion resistance, high-temperature resistance, high fatigue strength, and good weldability.
Applications: Jet engine parts, pressure vessels, valve and pump parts, turbine blades, manifolds, etc.
Invar 36
Properties: Low coefficient of thermal expansion, high toughness, and ferromagnetic.
Applications: Measurement and electronic devices, observatory tools, tanks and containers, laser units, and radar components.
Ti-6Al-4V
Properties: High strength-to-weight ratio, high biocompatibility, and high corrosion resistance.
Applications: Implants, racing cars, aircraft components, marine applications, and gas turbines.
AlSi10Mg
Properties: Good mechanical properties, low density, and high corrosion resistance.
Applications: Heat exchangers, housings, ductwork, production tools, engine parts, and military.
Soft Magnetic Materials Fe50Ni Fe6Si 430L Stainless Steel
Properties: high permeability, high saturation magnetization, low core loss, low eddy-current loss, and low coercivity
Applications: electrical motors and transformers.
Silicon Carbide SiC
Properties: SiC has a low density, high melting point, and strong oxidation resistance, making it ideal for high-temperature environments like nuclear systems. It also exhibits high thermal conductivity, wear resistance, and low neutron absorption, maintaining stability under neutron irradiation.
Applications: SiC is used in high-power, high-frequency, and high-temperature applications, including modular reactors, reflective mirrors, sensors, aerospace engines, and heat exchangers.
