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Journal of Chinese Society for Corrosion and protection  2026, Vol. 46 Issue (4): 1159-1168    DOI: 10.11902/1005.4537.2025.262
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Hot Corrosion Behavior of a Low-Re Second-generation Single Crystal Superalloy
YANG Xin1, CHE Xin1(), LU Yuzhang2, HUANG Yaqi2, WANG Dong2, SHEN Jian2()
1.School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang 110870, China
2.High-Temperature Structural Materials Research Department, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
Cite this article: 

YANG Xin, CHE Xin, LU Yuzhang, HUANG Yaqi, WANG Dong, SHEN Jian. Hot Corrosion Behavior of a Low-Re Second-generation Single Crystal Superalloy. Journal of Chinese Society for Corrosion and protection, 2026, 46(4): 1159-1168.

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Abstract  

Nickel-based single-crystal superalloys are extensively applied in aero-engines due to their superior high-temperature performance. However, in coastal and marine environments, they are highly susceptible to hot corrosion induced by Na2SO4 and NaCl deposits. Previous studies have revealed that mixed salts accelerate the degradation of protective oxide scale and intensify the internal corrosion, thus significantly reducing the service life of alloy components. Nevertheless, systematic investigations on the hot corrosion behavior of low-Re second-generation single-crystal superalloys in different salt environments remain scarce, and the underlying mechanisms require further clarification. Therefore, the hot corrosion behavior of a low-Re second-generation single-crystal superalloy at 900 ℃ beneath deposits of pure Na2SO4 and mixed Na2SO4/NaCl salts in air was investigated using the discontinuous weight change measurement method. Results show that the Na2SO4/NaCl mixed salt exhibits more severe corrosive effect, manifested by intensified oxide scale spallation, increased corrosion products thickness, and aggravated internal corrosion. Beneath the pure Na2SO4 salt deposit, a relatively continuous Al2O3 protective oxide scale is formed on the alloy surface, whereas beneath the mixed salt, the synergistic action of Cl- and S- triggers a chlorination-oxidation cycle and sulfidation reactions, which compromise the oxide scale integrity and accelerate the deterioration of the alloy.

Key words:  superalloy      low Re      Na2SO4/NaCl      hot corrosion      corrosion behavior     
Received:  21 August 2025      32134.14.1005.4537.2025.262
ZTFLH:  TG174  
Corresponding Authors:  CHE Xin, E-mail: xiaoxin2004068@163.comSHEN JIAN, E-mail: shenjian@imr.ac.cn

URL: 

https://www.jcscp.org/EN/10.11902/1005.4537.2025.262     OR     https://www.jcscp.org/EN/Y2026/V46/I4/1159

Fig.1  As-cast microstructure (a) and heat treatment microstructure (b) of low Re alloy
Fig.2  Corrosion weight gain curves of nickel-based single crystal superalloy specimens corroded at 900 ℃ for 100 h in two salt environments
Fig.3  Macroscopic morphologies of nickel-based single-crystal superalloys under various salt environments after hot corrosion at 900 ℃ for different times: (a) pure salt 20 h, Na2SO4, (b) pure salt 60 h, Na2SO4, (c) pure salt 100 h, Na2SO4, (d) mix salt 20 h, Na2SO4/NaCl, (e) mix salt 60 h, Na2SO4/NaCl, (f) mix salt 100 h, Na2SO4/NaCl
Fig.4  XRD pattern of two nickel-based single-crystal superalloy specimens surface under various salt environments after hot corrosion at 900 ℃ for 20 h (a) and 100 h (b)
Fig.5  Surface morphologies of nickel-based single-crystal superalloy specimens corroded in pure salt (a, b, e, f) and mixed salt (c, d, g, h) after hot corrosion at 900°C for 20 h and 100 h
LocationNiCrAlCoNbTi
A220.30.9480.20.5
B31.24.414.210.4--
C38.5--7.933.8-
D11.63.3-5.735.22.8
E72.5--11.6--
F13.819.51.643.9-1.3
G430.8-41.5--
H37.82.4-5.825.20.9
J41.66.21610.9-1.4
Table 1  EDS results for selected locations indicated in Fig.5
Fig.6  Cross-sectional morphologies of nickel-based single-crystal superalloy specimens in pure salt (a) and mixed salt (b) environments after hot corrosion at 900 ℃ for 20 h
Fig.7  Cross-sectional morphology of nickel-based single-crystal superalloy speicimens in pure salt (a) and mixed salt (b) environments after hot corrosion at 900 ℃ for 100 h
Fig.8  Standard free energy of formation of oxides. The diagram was plotted using data from HSC Chemistry version 6.0
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