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Elmet Technologies has published new research in the International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials, shedding light on the impact of post-processing techniques on the tensile properties of additively manufactured niobium-based C103 refractory alloy. The study, titled “Tensile properties of R512E coated NbC103 manufactured using laser powder bed fusion,” evaluates the mechanical properties of C103 alloy with an R512E coating and compares them against various post-processing methods, including Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) and two distinct heat treatment procedures.

Post-Processing and Tensile Testing of C103 Alloy

C103 is widely used in the aerospace industry due to its ability to withstand high-temperature oxidizing environments. To further enhance its durability, it is often coated with an environmental barrier coating such as R512E, a disilicide slurry applied and cured with heat.

For the research, Elmet provided spherical C103 powder, produced through the Electrode Induction Gas Atomisation (EIGA) process by HC Starck Solutions. The powder size distribution and elemental composition were thoroughly analyzed to ensure consistent material properties. The specimens were manufactured using a Renishaw AM400 metal Additive Manufacturing machine, and several post-processing techniques were applied to simulate operating conditions.

The results showed that as-additively manufactured C103 met the ASTM standards for wrought material in terms of strength and elongation. However, the application of Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) caused grain growth, leading to a reduction in strength, though it still surpassed the minimum strength requirement of wrought C103. The addition of R512E coating and subsequent heat treatment further caused grain growth and a reduction in strength, making it almost identical to the strength of wrought C103.

The study also emphasized the importance of understanding the application temperature and duration of environmental barrier coatings, as these factors directly influence the material’s mechanical properties.