A Study of the Effects of Hf and Sn on the Microstructure, Hardness and Oxidation of Nb-18Si Silicide Based Alloys without Ti Addition

The paper presents the results of an experimental study of large (≈0.6 kg) arc melted buttons of four Ti free Nb-silicide based alloys with Sn addition with nominal compositions (at.%) Nb-18Si-5Hf-5Sn (EZ1), Nb-18Si-5Al-5Sn (EZ7), Nb-18Si-5Cr-5Hf-5Sn (EZ3) and Nb-18Si-5Al-5Hf-5Sn (EZ4). The alloys were studied in the as-cast and heat treated conditions. In all the alloys there was macrosegregation of Si (MACSi). Among the single element additions Hf had the weakest and Sn the strongest effect on MACSi. The simultaneous presence of Cr and Hf in the alloy EZ3 had the strongest effect on MACSi. In all the alloys the βNb(5)Si(3) was the primary phase and was present after the heat treatment(s), the Nb(3)Si silicide was suppressed and the A15-Nb(3)Sn intermetallic was stable. The Nb(ss) was not stable in the alloys EZ7 and EZ4 and the C14-NbCr(2) Laves phase was stable in the alloy EZ3. Very Hf-rich Nb(5)Si(3) was stable in the alloy EZ4 after prolonged heat treatments. Eutectics were observed in all the alloys. These were binary eutectics in the alloys EZ1 and EZ7, where respectively they consisted of the Nb(ss) and βNb(5)Si(3), and βNb(5)Si(3) and A15-Nb(3)Sn phases. Most likely ternary eutectics consisting of the Nb(ss), C14-NbCr(2) and βNb(5)Si(3), and Nb(ss), βNb(5)Si(3) and A15-Nb(3)Sn phases were observed, respectively in the alloys EZ3 and EZ4. The addition of Al increased the vol% of the Nb(5)Si(3) and A15-Nb(3)Sn phases, particularly after the heat treatment(s). The lattice parameter of Nb respectively increased and decreased with the addition of Hf, and Al or Cr and the latter element had the stronger negative effect. Pest oxidation was not suppressed in the alloys of this study.