The development of nickel silicide based alloy for sulfuric acid application

Author

Sanhong Zhang

Abstract

“The present project has been supported by Chas S Lewis Co. Inc. to try to develop a cast alloy that has acceptable mechanical properties and excellent resistance to corrosion by sulfuric acid over the entire concentration range (especially for the concentrations between 60 and 80 wt%) at their boiling temperatures. Also, the alloy should have good machinability and weldability, and be economically viable.

It is known that Ni₃Si-based alloys have good corrosion resistance in concentrated sulfuric acids, but they are very brittle. In the present study, Ni₃Si-based alloys with Ti, Nb, Cu, Cr and Mo additions have been cast and studied with SEM, DTA, AES, and optical microscopy. Their mechanical properties and corrosion resistance in boiling sulfuric acids with different heat treatments have been investigated. It has been found that alloys NiSi₂₀Nb₃B_0.5, NiS_20.4Nb₂B_0.5, and NiSi_20.2Nb_2.5B_0.5 have acceptable mechanical properties, machinability, and weldability, and have better corrosion resistance in boiling 60%, 70%, and 80% sulfuric acid than any other existing alloys. The effects of Ti, Nb, Cu, Cr, and Mo additions on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of the alloys have been studied. It was found that Ti additions encouraged the formation of the Ni₃Si β phase, but the β phase with Ti addition had very poor corrosion resistance. Nb addition increased the ductility and the corrosion resistance of the alloy. Cu, Cr and Mo additions encouraged the formation of the α and γ phases (the former phase usually decreased the corrosion resistance, the latter hurt mechanical properties).

An investigation of the weldability of the alloys showed that the as-cast NiSi₂₀Nb₃B_0.5 alloy could be successfully welded using 600°C preheat and NiSi₂₀Nb₃B_0.5 welding rods produced by centrifugal casting. Effects of the G phase (Ni₁₆Si₇Nb₆) on the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties, corrosion resistance mechanism, and polarization behavior of the alloys were also investigated”--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Newkirk, Joseph William

Committee Member(s)

Kohser, Ronald A.
O'Keefe, T. J. (Thomas J.)
Johnson, James W., 1930-2002

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Metallurgical Engineering

Comments

This work was sponsored by Chas. S. Lewis and Co., Inc. in St. Louis.

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

Spring 2000

Pagination

xv, 140 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 136-139).

Rights

© 2000 Sanhong Zhang, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Dissertation - Restricted Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 7752

Print OCLC #

45656770

Recommended Citation

Zhang, Sanhong, "The development of nickel silicide based alloy for sulfuric acid application" (2000). Doctoral Dissertations. 1338.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/doctoral_dissertations/1338