superalloys

Jet engine materials

Superalloys are metal alloys engineered to perform under extreme conditions—high temperatures, intense pressure, and corrosive environments.

They typically contain nickel, cobalt, or iron as a base, with additions like chromium and titanium.

Jet engines, gas turbines, and nuclear reactors rely on superalloys because ordinary metals would weaken or melt: The turbine blades are cast from a single-crystal superalloy.

composition

nickel

Element twenty-eight, or coin

cobaltElement twenty-seven
chromiumElement twenty-four
titaniumElement twenty-two

tungsten · molybdenum · aluminum · rhenium · tantalum · niobium · hafnium · iron · vanadium · carbon

aerospace

turbine

Blade-driven energy converter

aircraftAirborne transportation vehicle
propulsionForce driving movement forward
thrustForceful forward motion

compressor · rotor · combustor · afterburner · spacecraft · missile · aviation · turbofan · turbojet · nacelle

properties

toughness

Resilient durability under strain

ductilityAbility to stretch unbroken
weldabilityEase of fusion joining
machinabilityEase of machining

processing

forging

Shaping heated metal; faking documents

castingShaping through liquid form
annealingHeat-softening of metals
temperingControlled heating and cooling

sintering · welding · machining · brazing · coating

metallurgy

René

French masculine given name

microstructureSubmillimeter material composition
carbideCarbon-bonded metal compound
intermetallicOrdered compound of metals

dendritic · segregation · homogenization

Opposites

material performance

superalloyscarbon steel

Iron-based metal alloy

lead · tin · cast iron · base metals · aluminum

material sophistication/engineering

superalloyswrought iron

Soft, workable decorative metal

pig iron · base metals · scrap metal · raw ore

Family

superalloy

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G