Challenges for high temperature materials in the new millennium

Abstract

Superalloys have contributed markedly to societal benefit. It is difficult to imagine the modern world without superalloys. These materials provide the backbone for many applications within key industries that include chemical and metallurgical processing, oil and gas extraction and refining, energy generation, and aerospace propulsion. Within this broad application space, arguably the highest visibility challenges tackled by these materials have arisen from the demand for large, efficient land-based power turbines and lightweight, highly durable aeronautical jet engines. So impressive has been the success of these materials that the last half of the 20th century has been known as the Superalloy Age. While superalloys have met many technical challenges, the overarching consideration is that no use of these materials occurs unless value to the customer is demonstrated. This paper discusses the emerging paradigm within the aviation industry that applies customer requirements to drive materials development and implementation on an accelerated timeline. This new paradigm is first of all spurring on competition to materials from other technologies, and secondly opening the door to other material classes to compete with superalloys for key applications. The superalloy community has the opportunity to respond with innovative alloys and processing improvements. In the ideal case, this competition will result in the development of the best ideas, such that the end customer, whether a civilian or military aeronautical system operator, receives optimal value. This new development paradigm is leading to overall faster application of advanced materials.