The present invention relates to an Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material for high temperature having excellent high-temperature oxidation resistant and a method for producing the same.
Ir and Ru are metals having excellent high-temperature strength and excellent corrosion resistance, and expected to be applied to a structural material used in an extreme environment, and have been utilized as, for example, a crucible for growing single crystals for use in an optical device and an automobile engine plug.
However, Ir and Ru form oxides IrO3 and RuO3, respectively, in a high-temperature oxidizing atmosphere, and the sublimation temperatures of these oxides are lower than those of the respective metals, namely, IrO3 and RuO3 have sublimation temperatures of 1,092° C. and 1,200° C., respectively. Therefore, Ir and Ru have a problem in that they cannot be used in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature as high as 1,100° C. or more. As a method for solving the problem, a method has been employed in which the surface of Ir or Ru is coated with an Al2O3 (alumina) film which is an oxidation-resistant material. However, there is a difference in crystal structure and lattice constant between the surface of the above metal material and alumina, and therefore a peeling phenomenon of alumina easily occurs, and thus, even when the surface of the metal material is directly coated with alumina, the resultant coating is not effective as an oxidation-resistant film.
On the other hand, an attempt has also been made to perform a method in which Al is directly reacted with the surface of an Ir alloy or Ru alloy by an aluminizing method. However, when Al and the Ir alloy or Ru alloy are under conditions at a temperature which is the melting point of Al or higher, the molten Al and Ir or Ru are vigorously reacted with each other, making it difficult to form an oxidation-resistant protective film having an appropriately controlled structure.
An object of the present invention is to provide an Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material and a method for producing the same, wherein, for enabling the use of Ir or Ru having excellent high-temperature strength in a high-temperature oxidizing atmosphere, the Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material has formed on the surface thereof an intermetallic compound film having excellent oxidation resistance and thus is improved in the oxidation resistant performance while maintaining the high-temperature strength.
In the invention, the above object has been achieved by forming an IrAl intermetallic compound film or a RuAl intermetallic compound film on the surface of the Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material so that an alumina protective film is formed in a high-temperature oxidizing atmosphere to cover the surface of the intermetallic compound film. The treatment method of forming an IrAl intermetallic compound film or a RuAl intermetallic compound film on the surface of the Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material has been used for a Ni-based alloy and the like as an aluminizing method, but Ir or Ru is vigorously reacted with Al and this reaction is not easy to be controlled. In the invention, the inventors have succeeded in reducing the activity of Al during the aluminizing treatment to uniformly form a layer having an increased Al concentration only in the surface film. By the invention, the Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material, which has high strength at high temperatures but has a problem about the oxidation resistant properties, can be dramatically improved in the oxidation resistant properties.
The alloy material for high temperature having excellent oxidation resistant properties of the invention is an Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material containing in Ir or Ru at least one member of Al, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Hf, Ta, W, and Re in such an amount that a precipitation phase is not formed, wherein the Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material has a surface uniformly covered with an IrAl intermetallic compound film or a RuAl intermetallic compound film.
In the alloy material for high temperature having excellent oxidation resistant properties of the invention, it is preferred that the Ir-based alloy material has an Al content of 10 to 30 atomic %, or the Ru-based alloy material has an Al content of 3 to 40 atomic %.
Further, in the alloy material for high temperature having excellent oxidation resistant properties of the invention, it is preferred that the IrAl intermetallic compound film or RuAl intermetallic compound film has a thickness in the range of from 2 to 50 μm.
The method of the invention for producing the alloy material for high temperature having excellent oxidation resistant properties comprises immersing an Ir-based alloy material or a Ru-based alloy material in a mixed powder at 800 to 1,300° C. for 2 to 6 hours to form an IrAl intermetallic compound film or a RuAl intermetallic compound film on the surface of the Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material, wherein the mixed powder has an Al alloy powder and an alumina powder mixed in a mass ratio in the range of from 1:1.2 to 1:0.8 and further has an activator powder added in an amount of 1 to 6% by mass, wherein the Al alloy powder used for the Ir-based alloy material has an Al concentration of 45 to 65 atomic %, or the Al alloy powder used for the Ru-based alloy material has an Al concentration of 35 to 50 atomic %.
In the method of the invention for producing the alloy material for high temperature having excellent oxidation resistant properties, it is preferred that the Al alloy powder contains at least one member of Fe, Ni, and Cr.
By virtue of the IrAl intermetallic compound film or RuAl intermetallic compound film formed on the surface of the Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material, an alumina protective film is formed in a high-temperature oxidizing atmosphere to cover the surface of the IrAl intermetallic compound film or RuAl intermetallic compound film. The thus formed protective film enables the use of the Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material having a problem about the oxidation resistant properties in a high-temperature oxidizing atmosphere.
Further, in the alloying and the Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material having formed thereon an IrAl intermetallic compound film or a RuAl intermetallic compound film, precipitation is not caused inside of the material, and therefore the lowering of the processability and high-temperature strength is suppressed.
The Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material in the invention contains at least one member of Al, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Hf, Ta, W, and Re in such an amount that a precipitation phase is not formed. These elements to be added individually have different solid solubility limits in Ir or Ru as shown in Table 1, but, according to the purpose of the use of the Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material or the like, at least one member of the above elements can be added in such an amount that it is dissolved in the alloy material. It is preferred that the Ir-based alloy material has an Al content of 10 to 30 atomic %, or the Ru-based alloy material has an Al content of 3 to 40 atomic %.
The Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material can be ingoted by a general dissolving method. Then, the solidified ingot is processed into a predetermined plate, rod, or the like by a general forging rolling method, and then shaped into a desired form by plastic processing, cutting processing, or the like.
On the surface of the Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material shaped into a desired form, an IrAl intermetallic compound film or a RuAl intermetallic compound film is formed by an aluminizing method. The aluminizing method can be conducted under the conditions described below.
The powder material used for forming an IrAl intermetallic compound film or a RuAl intermetallic compound film comprises three types of powders, i.e., (1) an Al alloy powder for reducing the activity of Al, (2) an alumina powder for controlling a vigorous reaction between the Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material and the Al alloy powder, and (3) an activator powder for activating Al in the Al alloy powder to generate an Al chloride in a gas phase. As examples of Al alloy powders, there can be mentioned those containing at least one member of Fe, Ni, and Cr.
The Al alloy powder is used for preventing a liquid phase from being caused at an aluminizing treatment temperature in the range of from 800 to 1,300° C. to reduce the activity of Al, making it easy to control a reaction of the Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material with Al. When metal Al in the form of a single substance is used, Al becomes a liquid phase at the above-mentioned aluminizing treatment temperature and is brought into direct contact with the Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material to cause a rapid reaction, making it impossible to obtain an IrAl intermetallic compound film or a RuAl intermetallic compound film. A single type of the Al alloy powder or two or more types of the Al alloy powders can be used. In the case of the Ir-based alloy material, when a single type of the Al alloy powder is used, it is preferred that the Al alloy powder has an Al concentration of 45 to 65 atomic %, and, when two or more types of the Al alloy powders are used, it is preferred that the Al alloy powders collectively have an Al concentration of 45 to 65 atomic %. When the Al concentration of the Al alloy powder is lower than 45 atomic %, the activity of Al is excessively reduced, so that the reaction does not effectively proceed. On the other hand, when the Al concentration is higher than 65 atomic %, a liquid phase is formed in the Al alloy powder at the above-mentioned aluminizing treatment temperature, and therefore an intermetallic compound other than the IrAl intermetallic compound or RuAl intermetallic compound is formed, leading to a problem that an IrAl intermetallic compound or a RuAl intermetallic compound is not formed. In the case of the Ru-based alloy material, a reaction of the alloy material with the Al alloy powder is vigorously caused, and therefore it is necessary that the Al concentration of the Al alloy powder be low. Specifically, when a single type of the Al alloy powder is used, it is preferred that the Al alloy powder has an Al concentration of 35 to 50 atomic %, and, when two or more types of the Al alloy powders are used, it is preferred that the Al alloy powders collectively have an Al concentration of 35 to 50 atomic %. The Al alloy powder preferably has a particle size in the range of from 40 to 100 μm, taking the reactivity and easy handling into consideration.
The alumina powder is added for uniformly dispersing the Al alloy powder and activator powder to control the reaction. The mass ratio between the Al alloy powder and the alumina powder varies depending on the Al concentration of the Al alloy powder, but the mass ratio needs to be in the range of from 1:1.2 to 1:0.8. When the blending ratio of the alumina powder incorporated is too large, the reaction slowly proceeds. The alumina powder preferably has a particle size in the range of from 5 to 20 μm, taking the reaction control and easy handling into consideration.
As the activator powder, a chloride of ammonia or a chloride of a metal which promotes the formation of an Al chloride, such as Na, Cr, or Ag, is suitable. The mixing ratio of the activator powder is advantageously in the range of from 1 to 6% by mass. When the mixing ratio of the activator powder is less than 1% by mass, a satisfactory amount of AlClx (wherein x is 1, 2, or 3) is not formed, and, on the other hand, when the mixing ratio of the activator powder is more than 6% by mass, the amount of the formed AlClx is saturated and such a large amount of the activator powder is not effective.
The aluminizing method is a process in which a sample and an activator powder are placed in an Al alloy powder and the resultant mixture is maintained at a high temperature to form an Al compound on the surface of the sample. Gas of AlClx, which vaporizes at a relatively low temperature, is generated from the Al alloy powder due to the activator powder. AlCl3 has a sublimation temperature of 180° C., and the other compounds in a gaseous form are stable at room temperature. AlClx in a gaseous form supplies Al to the surface of the sample to form a compound of the element contained in the sample, i.e., Ir or Ru and Al. For forming gas of AlClx, Al in a liquid phase is not suitable, but an Al alloy powder in a solid phase is suitable.
In the aluminizing method, a chemical reaction proceeds as shown below, forming an intermetallic compound. The reaction with respect to Ir is shown below, but the reaction with respect to Ru is similar to this.
NH4Cl as an activator first decomposes into ammonia and hydrogen chloride.
NH4Cl→NH3(g)+HCl(g)
HCl separates Al from the Al alloy powder to form an Al chloride ([Al] indicates Al in the alloy).
2[Al]+6HCl(g)→2AlCl3(g)+3H2(g)
The Al chloride reacts with active [Al] to form AlCl.
2[Al]+AlCl3(g)→3AlCl(g)
AlCl reacts with Ir on the surface to form IrAl.
3AlCl(g)+2Ir→2IrAl+AlCl3(g)
The aluminizing treatment temperature is advantageously in the range of from 800 to 1,300° C., preferably in the range of from 900 to 1,050° C. When the aluminizing temperature is lower than 800° C., diffusion is so slow that the reaction requires a prolonged period of time. On the other hand, when the aluminizing temperature is higher than 1,300° C., the raw material powder used in the aluminizing treatment is molten, so that a satisfactory amount of AlClx is not supplied.
The aluminizing treatment time varies depending on the treatment temperature, but the aluminizing time is preferably 2 to 6 hours at a temperature in the range of from 900 to 1,050° C. When the aluminizing time is less than 2 hours, the reaction does not satisfactorily proceed, making it difficult to obtain an IrAl intermetallic compound film or RuAl intermetallic compound film having a satisfactory thickness. On the other hand, when the aluminizing time is more than 6 hours, AlClx is completely consumed, so that the increase of the thickness of the intermetallic compound film cannot be desired.
The above-mentioned aluminizing treatment can be performed under atmospheric pressure using an electric furnace, such as a general muffle furnace or tubular furnace.
The IrAl intermetallic compound film or RuAl intermetallic compound film formed by the aluminizing treatment preferably has a thickness in the range of from 2 to 50 μm. The IrAl intermetallic compound film or RuAl intermetallic compound film is brittle and therefore, when the thickness of the film is more than 50 μm, a crack is likely to be formed to cause a breakage of the film, so that the film loses the function as an oxidation-resistant film. On the other hand, when the thickness of the film is less than 2 μm, it is unlikely that an alumina protective film formed on the surface of the IrAl intermetallic compound film or RuAl intermetallic compound film uniformly grows in an oxidizing atmosphere, so that the oxidation resistance is reduced.
An Ir-10 at. % Al alloy and an Ir-10 at. % Al-3 at. % Hf alloy were subjected to aluminizing treatment. The Ir-based alloy was immersed in a mixed powder and maintained at 950° C. for 2 hours, wherein the mixed powder had an Fe-66 at. % Al alloy powder, a Ni-35 at. % Al alloy powder, and an alumina powder blended in a mass ratio of 1:2:3 and had NH4Cl added in an amount of 3% by mass. After the treatment, as shown in
The oxidation loss behaviors of samples in an isothermal oxidation test at 1,100° C. are shown in
Further, the oxidation loss behaviors of samples in a 100-cycle repeated oxidation test at 1,100° C. are shown in
The same Ir-based alloy as in Example 1 was subjected to aluminizing treatment. The Ir-based alloy was immersed in a mixed powder and maintained at 1,000° C. for 4 hours, wherein the mixed powder had an Al powder, a Cr powder, and an alumina powder blended in a mass ratio of 1:1:2 and had NH4Cl added in an amount of 2% by mass. In this aluminizing treatment, as shown in
The same Ir-based alloy as in Example 1 was subjected to aluminizing treatment. The Ir-based alloy was immersed in a mixed powder and maintained at 950° C. for 2 hours, wherein the mixed powder had an Fe-66 at. % Al alloy powder and an alumina powder blended in a mass ratio of 1:1 and had NH4Cl added in an amount of 3% by mass. As shown in
Example 1 is an example for the Ir-based alloy. As shown in
A Ru-3 at. % Al alloy was actually prepared by an arc dissolving method. The prepared Ru-based alloy was subjected to aluminizing treatment. The Ru-based alloy was immersed in a mixed powder and maintained at 975° C. for 4 hours, wherein the mixed powder had 3.5 g of an Fe-66 at. % Al alloy powder, 6.5 g of a Ni-35 at. % Al alloy powder, and 10 g of an alumina powder blended and had NH4Cl added in an amount of 0.4 g (2% by mass). After the treatment, as shown in
A Ru-3 at. % Al alloy was immersed in a mixed powder and maintained at 1,000° C. for 8 hours, wherein the mixed powder had 5 g of an Fe-66 at. % Al alloy powder, 5 g of a Ni-35 at. % Al alloy powder, and 10 g of an alumina powder blended and had NH4Cl added in an amount of 0.4 g (2% by mass). After the treatment, as shown in
An isothermal oxidation test was conducted at 1,100° C. As shown in
Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned Examples.
The alloy material for high temperature having excellent oxidation resistant properties of the invention can be used in members which are used at a temperature of 1,200° C. or higher and required to have a strength and an oxidation resistance. For example, the alloy material is expected to be applied to an engine, a container for dissolving a ceramic, a protecting tube for high temperature measurement, and the like in the field of aerospace. Further, the method of the invention for producing the alloy material for high temperature having excellent oxidation resistant properties is expected to be applied to a high-temperature oxidation-resistant coating technique.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2010-202067 | Sep 2010 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/JP2011/070479 | 9/8/2011 | WO | 00 | 4/24/2013 |