Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Open Access Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering (MS)

Administrative Home Department

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Advisor 1

Paul Sanders

Committee Member 1

Walter Milligan

Committee Member 2

Joseph Licavoli

Abstract

In order to improve the efficiency of advanced ultra-supercritical power plants, materials must be designed to maintain mechanical properties in high pressure and high temperature environments. Nickel superalloys are a viable option, but are expensive and are difficult to weld, leading to joint failures. The goal of this project is to experimentally evaluate computationally-designed nickel superalloys for increased weldability and decreased alloy cost, while maintaining mechanical properties. Two optimized nickel alloys were designed to these targets and compared to benchmark nickel superalloys. Both optimized alloys had lower cost, with a 5Co-4Ti alloy exceeding room temperature hardness and elastic modulus values, but with increased solidification cracking susceptibility. The 7Co-3Ti alloy maintained elastic modulus values and room temperature hardness, and had increased strain-age cracking resistance.

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