Low Temperature Hot Corrosion Screening of Single Crystal Superalloys

Single crystal superalloys were screened in Type II molten (Na,K)-sulfate hot corrosion re-coat tests in air +300 ppm SO₂ at 700 °C. They exhibited large 20⁻40 mg/cm² weight changes, repeated spallation, and non-protective, 25⁻50 μm thick corrosion layers after 300 h of testing. Scale cross sections revealed dual outer Ni(Co)O and inner Al(Cr)S-rich corrosion layers. This chemical differentiation was partially consistent with previous models of oxide fluxing, alloy sulfidation, NiO micro-channel diffusion, and synergistic dissolution mechanisms. Broad shallow pits or uniform attack morphologies were consistent with prior studies performed in high >100 ppm pSO₂ environments. Higher Mo experimental alloys trended toward more degradation, producing 100 μm thick scales with distinct Al(Cr)S-rich inner layers or 500 μm thick NiO. The aggressive behavior in these environments supports the need for LTHC-resistant coatings for single crystal superalloys.