Research Projects

This project proposes to develop a novel Ni-based single-crystal superalloy for the first time in India following a high-throughput method for next-generation jet engines: 1. All the superalloys proposed until now contain the same set of nine elements in different proportions. In the next generation of proposed superalloys, Re and Ru content is being increased for higher stability (sluggish coarsening) and creep life, indicating the possibility of a decreased rate of diffusivities. In fact, different generations of superalloys have been proposed purely based on trial-based experiments over several decades by different foreign organizations abroad, mainly because of a lack unavailability of a reliable mobility database of elements estimated experimentally in this multicomponent system. Therefore, a search is still continuing for the best composition with optimal properties for next-generation jet engine applications. 2. Diffusion analysis in a multi-component system is the primary need to correlate/predict the life or performance of Ni-based superalloys by relating this with coarsening kinetics and high-temperature creep. It was textbook knowledge until recently that diffusion analysis by estimating diffusion rates and diffusional interactions of elements is not possible in a system with more than three elements. Moreover, these cannot be computed by any method in such a complex system as well. The nominee has solved this problem of the last several decades in recent times by proposing a new method which will help to establish a mobility database in this important system for the first time. 3. Following, a diffusion multiple approach will be practiced as a high-throughput method for screening composition-dependent properties. This will help to generate a wide composition range by interdiffusion, and then study localized composition-dependent coarsening and indentation creep at different compositions/locations. This solves the problem of melting alloys with specific compositions and then study individually for screening composition-dependent properties. A nine-element composition field may require hundreds of alloys to study in the conventional way (which is being followed until now by all), but the diffusion multiple methods can screen the same with only a few diffusion couples designed to vary the composition systematically. 5. In the end, the optimized compositions (selected few) will be studied for bulk properties (coarsening and creep) of single crystals in correlation to the estimated mobility database, establishing a link between these parameters for a complete understanding of the properties controlling the life of the superalloys. 6. This will establish a strong fundamental background of material properties through quantitative analysis and a high-throughput method for material discovery, which can utilized for the discovery of materials in different other applications as well.