Equiaxed crystal castings made from nickel-based superalloys are widely used in turbine blades, vanes, and combustion components across aerospace and energy sectors. To unlock their full mechanical and microstructural performance, these castings require precision-controlled heat treatment cycles for grain refinement, stress relief, and phase transformation stabilization.
Neway AeroTech is a certified heat treatment supplier for equiaxed crystal superalloy castings such as Inconel 713C, Rene 77, and Hastelloy X. Our thermal processing solutions ensure structural integrity, dimensional stability, and fatigue resistance in both OEM and repair-grade components.
Our thermal cycles are engineered to meet turbine OEM and aerospace standards for grain control, residual stress management, and mechanical property optimization.
Solution treatment for gamma prime phase uniformity
Aging treatment to increase yield strength and creep resistance
Stress-relief annealing post-casting or machining to eliminate internal residual stress
Controlled ramp rates and inert atmosphere for oxidation-sensitive parts
All heat treatments conform to AMS 2774, AMS 5662/3, and customer-specific turbine alloy protocols.
Alloy | Max Service Temp (°C) | Heat Treatment Purpose | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
950 | Stress relief + aging | Nozzle guide vanes | |
1040 | Solution + aging | Turbine blades, vane rings | |
1175 | Grain stabilization | Combustor hardware | |
920 | Aging hardening | Vane segments, valve guides |
These alloys benefit from phase strengthening and microstructure densification via tightly controlled temperature-time profiles.
An aerospace customer submitted a batch of equiaxed Rene 77 cast vane segments requiring full-cycle thermal processing. The cycle included solution treatment at 1160°C, aging at 845°C for 24 hours, and final stress relief at 870°C. All parts met OEM microstructure and hardness requirements.
Component | Alloy | Process | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
Nozzle Segment | Inconel 713C | Aging + stress relief | |
Vane Ring | Rene 77 | Solution + aging | |
Combustor Liner | Hastelloy X | Annealing + stress relief | |
Turbine Shroud | Nimonic 90 | Aging hardening |
All components are validated for grain size, phase structure, and hardness consistency post-treatment.
Uniform temperature distribution is critical to prevent grain boundary liquation and deformation
Controlled ramp rates ≤ 10°C/min reduce thermal shock and structural distortion
Atmospheric control (vacuum or argon) needed to suppress oxidation on critical surfaces
Repeatability of microstructure across thick and thin cast cross-sections
Residual stress relief required before CNC finishing or coating application
Multi-zone furnaces with ±2°C thermal uniformity across load volume
Vacuum or argon purged chambers for reactive alloys like Rene and Hastelloy
Cycle programming with real-time data logging for full traceability
**Integrated post-treatment cleaning and passivation
HIP available as a combined service to eliminate porosity
All cycles followed material-specific solution and aging protocols with soak times validated by thermocouple mapping. Castings were fixtured to minimize deformation during high-temperature exposure.
After treatment, parts underwent CNC machining or EDM. Surfaces were cleaned and passivated per AMS2700 for oxidation protection.
SEM analysis confirmed phase formation and grain refinement. Hardness testing validated mechanical targets. X-ray inspection confirmed structural soundness post-treatment.
What heat treatment cycles are used for equiaxed turbine components?
Can Inconel and Rene alloys be treated together in one furnace batch?
How is oxidation prevented during high-temperature solution treatment?
What inspection methods verify phase transformation and hardness?
Do you offer HIP and CNC machining after heat treatment?