Characteristics and printability of K417G nickel-base alloy powder prepared by VIGA method

ABSTRACT

Nickel-based K417G superalloy powder is the main material used in laser additive manufacturing (LAM) of aerospace engine turbine blades. In this study, K417G powder was prepared by the vacuum induction melting gas atomisation method (VIGA). Powder characteristics and microstructure were measured, and the properties of fabricated samples were studied. The results show that the powder mean particle size D₅₀ was 74 μm, flowability was 16.6 s/50 g, apparent density was 4.78 g cm^–3, and the oxygen content of the powder was 0.015%. Powder and LAM sample microstructure consisted of γ, γ′, and carbide. The average microhardness was 410 HV, tensile strength was 1080 MPa, yield strength was 828 MPa and elongation was 13.52%. K417G superalloy powder prepared by VIGA method has potential for application in laser additive manufacturing.

KEYWORDS:

• LAM
• blades
• K417G powder
• VIGA method
• powder characteristics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Wuming Jia, doctor, research direction: laser additive manufacturing.

Suiyuan Chen, professor, research direction: laser additive manufacturing.

Mingwei Wei, doctor, research direction: laser additive manufacturing.

Jing Liang, associate professor, research direction: laser additive manufacturing.

Changsheng Liu, professor, research direction: surface engineering.

JinGuo Li, professor, research direction: single crystal superalloy.

ORCID

Changsheng Liu http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3097-7608

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning United fund (U1508213), National Key R&D Program of China (2016YFB1100201), Research and development plan for the future emerging industries in Shenyang (18-004-2-26).