Jiovanni Ortiz, “High Temperature Mechanical Testing of Pre-Oxidized Nickel-Based Superalloys”
Mentor: William Musinski, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering & Applied Science (College of)
Poster #157
Nickel (Ni)-based superalloys are essential for turbine engines used in aircraft and power generation due to their high strength, creep resistance, fatigue resistance, and corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures. Within this research, the mechanical behavior of Ni-based superalloys at elevated temperatures is being characterized through mechanical testing and surface analysis to examine microstructural changes under thermal and mechanical stress. The research aims to improve understanding of deformation and degradation in Ni-based superalloys. The results will enhance Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) by refining microstructure-sensitive models, mathematical models that predict material behavior based on features like grain size and phase composition. Anticipated outcomes include improved high-temperature testing methods, more accurate predictive modeling, and a deeper understanding of Ni-based superalloy performance. A key challenge in high-temperature testing is achieving uniform heating of the sample, which is being addressed through the advancement of an existing furnace system and the integration of proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controls to optimize temperature distribution and improve experimental accuracy. This research will progress high-temperature materials, enabling higher burn temperatures in power generation and propulsion, allowing for reduced carbon emissions. These advancements have real-world implications in aerospace and energy, where improved turbine components can enhance engine performance, sustainability, fuel efficiency, and safety.