Inconel 718 Alloy Products Manufactured Using Metal Injection Molding Approach

DOI: 10.62564/M4-DS1323

Orest Ivasishin¹, Dmytro Savvakin¹, Oleksandr Rud¹, Vitaly Manzhos², Yury Torba<sup>2

1</sup>G.V. Kurdyumov Institute for Metal Physics, Ukraine
²“Ivchenko-Progress” Design Bureau, Ukraine


The cost-effective manufacturing of nickel-based parts for high-temperature zones of aviation gas turbine engines is practically important task. Present study was dedicated to development of manufacturing approach for gas turbine blades from Inconel-718 alloy (52.50 Ni–18.50 Fe–19.00 Cr–5.10 Nb–3.00 Mo–0.50 Al–1.01 Ti–0.08 C, wt.%) using powder metal injection molding (MIM). The noted net-shape approach is promising for mass production and provides a significant cost reduction compared to conventional manufacturing technologies (casting, hot deformation, machining). However, the important task is achievement of desirable characteristics of MIM produced material itself and products of it, which requires the adaptation of MIM technology for Inconel 718 aviation parts. The manufacturing route included blending of Inconel 718 powder with organic binder, forming of net-shape compacts, binder removal stage, sintering of powder compacts in vacuum or under argon atmosphere and final heat treatment. Proper selection of technological parameters and conditions for powder forming, sintering and heat treatment ensures manufacturing finished products with the desired phase composition and microstructure [1], and, hence, physical and mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray analysis, hardness and tensile tests were used to characterize the microstructure, phase composition and mechanical characteristics of final product. Optimization of processing conditions ensured achievement of sufficient characteristics, namely, tensile strength of 900 MPa, elongation 16% and hardness of 372 HV of Inconel 718 blades. Implementation of MIM technology is intended in Ukrainian aviation industry for manufacturing high-temperature nickel-based aviation products with improved cost-efficiency.

Keywords
Metal injection molding, Inconel 718, sintering

Acknowledgments
Not provided

References
[1] W.M. Tucho, P. Cuvilliera, A. Sjolyst-Kverneland, Vidar Hansen, Mat. Sci.\& Eng. A 689 (2017) 220-232.