NICKEL BASE ALLOY FOR POWDER AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A POWDER

Abstract

A powder has the contents (in wt. %): C max. 0.5%, S max. 0.15%, in particular max. 0.03%, N max. 0.25%, Cr 14-35%, in particular 17-28%, Ni radical (>38%), Mn max. 4%, Si max. 1.5%, Mo >0-22%, Ti <4%, in particular <3.25%, Nb up to 6.0%, Cu up to 3%, in particular up to 0.5%, Fe <50%, P max. 0.05%, in particular max. 0.04%, Al up to 3.15%, in particular up to 2.5%, Mg max. 0.015%, V max. 0.6%, Zr max. 0.12%, in particular max. 0.1%, W up to 4.5%, in particular up to max. 3%, Co up to 28%, B<0.125%, O>0.00001-0.1% and impurities due to production, wherein Ni+Fe+Co represents 56-80% Nb+Ta<6.0%.

Claims

1. A nickel-base alloy for powder, wherein the contents (in wt %) are defined as follows: TABLE-US-00014 C max. 0.5%  S max. 0.15%, especially max. 0.03% N max. 0.25%  Cr 14-35%, especially 17-28% Ni Rest (>38%) Mn max. 4%    Si max. 1.5%  Mo  >0-22% Ti ≤4%, especially ≤3.25% Nb up to 6.0% Cu up to 3%, especially up to 0.5% Fe   ≤50% P max. 0.05%, especially max. 0.04% Al up to 3.15%, especially up to 2.5% Mg max. 0.015% V max. 0.6%  Zr max. 0.12%, especially max. 0.1% W up to 4.5%, especially up to max. 3% Co up to 28% B ≤0.125% O >0.00001-0.1%   and manufacturing-related impurities. wherein: Ni+Fe+Co 56-80% Nb+Ta 6.0%.

2. Alloy An alloy according to claim 1 with the following composition (in wt %): TABLE-US-00015 C max. 0.25%  S max. 0.03%  N  >0-0.15% Cr 17-28%, especially 17-24% Ni the rest (38-72%) Mn max. 2%, especially max. 1% Si max. 1.2%, especially ≤0.5% Mo >0-21, especially 2.5-21% Ti     >0-<3.25% Nb   >0-5.5% Cu max. 3%, especially up to 0.5% Fe   >0-38% P max. 0.04%  Al   >0-0.8% Mg max. 0.015% V max. 0.4%  Zr max. 0.1%  W up to 0.5% Co   ≤10% B ≤0.01% Pb max. 0.001%, especially max. 0.0005% Se max. 0.0005%, especially max. 0.0003% Bi max. 0.00005%, especially max. 0.00003% O >0.00001-0.1%   Nb+Ta>0-5.5% and manufacturing-related impurities. wherein: Ni+Fe+Co 57-77%.

3. The alloy according to claim 1 with the following composition (in wt %): TABLE-US-00016 C >0-0.1%, especially >0-0.08% S max. 0.015% N  >0-0.03%  Cr 17-24% Ni the rest (>50-63%) Mn max. 1.0%, especially max. 0.5% Si max. 0.5%  Mo  2.8-16.5% Ti  >0-1.15%  Nb   >0-≤5.5% Cu max. 0.5%  Fe  >0-25%   P max. 0.015% Al 0.1-0.6% Mg max. 0.015% V max. 0.2%  Zr max. 0.1%  W up to 0.2% especially >0-0.2% Co ≤2.5%, especially ≤1.0% B ≤0.01% Pb max. 0.001%, especially max. 0.0005% Se max. 0.0005%, especially max. 0.0003% Bi max. 0.0005%, especially max. 0.0003% O >0.00001-0.1%     Nb+Ta >0-5.5% Al+Ti<1.2% and manufacturing-related impurities. wherein: Ni+Fe+Co 59-72%.

4. A method for the manufacture of a powder from a nickel-base alloy according to claim 1, in which an alloy is smelted in a VIM furnace, the molten melt is maintained for 5 minutes to 2 hours for homogenization, a closed atomization system having a supplied gas is adjusted to a dew point of −10° C. to −120° C., the melt is blown by a nozzle in a gas stream with a gas flow rate of 2 qm.sup.3/min to 150 qm.sup.3, the solidified powder particles are collected in a gas-tight closed container, wherein the particles have a particle size of 5 μm to 250 μm, the particles of the powder are spherical, the powder has gas inclusions of 0.0 to 4% pore area (pores >1 μm) in relationship to the total area of evaluated objects, the powder has a bulk density of 2 up to the density of the alloy, which is approximately 8 g/cm.sup.3, the powder is packed air-tightly under the protective-gas atmosphere with argon.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the alloy is first generated as a master alloy having defined chemical analysis by melting in the VIM furnace, VIM/ESR, VIM/ESR/VAR, VIM/VAR, VOD or VLF then remelting in the ESR and/or VAR, the master alloy ingot is cut into small pieces by sawing, the pieces of the master alloy are melted in a VIM furnace.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein an inert gas is used as the supplied gas.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein argon is used as the supplied gas.

8. The method according to claim 4, wherein the gas stream in which atomization takes place consists of argon.

9. The method according to claim 4, wherein the gas stream in which atomization takes place consists of nitrogen.

10. The method according to claim 4, wherein the gas stream in which atomization takes place consists of a mixture of nitrogen and argon.

11. The method according to claim 4, wherein the atomization of the melt takes place at 0.5 to 80 kg/min.

12. Use of a powder manufactured by the method according to claim 4 for the additive fabrication of components or structural parts.

13. Use of a powder manufactured by the method according to claim 4 for the additive fabrication of layers on components or structural parts.

14. Use of a powder manufactured by the method according to claim 4 for the fabrication of components of turbines.

15. Use of a powder manufactured by the method according to claim 4 for the fabrication of components for the oil and gas as well as the chemical process industry.

16. Use of a powder manufactured by the method according to claim 4 for the fabrication of valves or flanges.

Description

[0099] Advantageous further developments of the method according to the invention can be inferred from the dependent claims.

[0100] The range of values for the particle size of the powder lies between 5 and 250 μm, wherein preferred ranges lie between 5 and 150 μm or 10 and 150 μm.

[0101] The powder has gas inclusions of 0.0 to 4% pore area (pores >1 μm) in relation to the total area of evaluated objects, wherein preferred ranges are

[0102] 0.0 to 2%

[0103] 0.0 to 0.5%

[0104] 0.0 to 0.2%

[0105] 0.0 to 0.1%

[0106] 0.0 to 0.05%

[0107] The powder has a bulk density of 2 up to the density of the alloy, which is approximately 8 g/cm.sup.3, wherein preferred ranges may have the following values.

[0108] 4-5 g/cm.sup.3

[0109] 2-8 g/cm.sup.3

[0110] 2-7 g/cm.sup.3

[0111] 3-6 g/cm3

[0112] The quantity of the gas inclusions of the powder permits a low residual porosity of the manufactured parts.

[0113] Compared with the prior art, the centrifugation method is omitted, and hereby the operating time of the system is optimized. The subsequent refining processes optimize the quality of the powder for the additive fabrication.

[0114] It may be of advantage if the ingot is subjected, prior to the dissection, to a machining of the surface (e.g. by brushing, grinding, pickling, cutting, scalping, etc.). In the process, defects may be removed that cannot be eliminated by the further remelting and that may cause impairment for subsequent applications.

[0115] The method according to the invention can be applied to any Ni-base or Ni—Co-base alloy.

[0116] In the following, an alloy composition is presented that may be produced as powder by means of the method parameters according to the invention. All values are in wt %:

TABLE-US-00004 C max. 0.5% S max. 0.150%, especially max. 0.03% Cr 17-32%, especially 17-26% Ni 45-72%, especially 45-71% Mn max. 1%   Si max. 1%   Mo  >0-10%   Ti max. 3.25%, especially max. 2.7% Nb max. 5.5% Cu max. 5%, especially max. 0.5% Fe max. 25%  Al max. 3.15%, especially max. 2.5% V max. 0.6% Zr max. 0.12%, especially max. 0.1% Co max. 28%  O 0.00001-0.1%  

[0117] and manufacturing-related impurities.

[0118] Beyond this, the following elements may be present (values in wt %):

[0119] Nb+Ta max. 6%

TABLE-US-00005 B max. 0.02%, especially max. 0.006% Se max. 0.0005%  Bi max. 0.00005% Pb max. 0.002%  P max. 0.03%, especially max. 0.02%

[0120] Advantageously, the following elements may be adjusted as shown below (values in wt %):

TABLE-US-00006 C 0.015-0.5%; especially 0.015-0.2% S max. 0.1%, especially max. 0.02% Cr 17-25% Ni 45-58% Mn max. 0.6% Si max. 0.4% Mo   0-6.1% Ti 0.1-2.7% Al max. 1.7% Co max. 13% 

[0121] For improvement of the mechanical properties, the elements boron and carbon may also be adjusted as follows:

TABLE-US-00007 C 0.015-0.5%  B 0.006-0.125%

[0122] In this connection, it is further advantageous when the sum of C+B lies between 0.1875 and 0.530%, between 0.156 and 0.625%, in particular lies in the range of 0.16 and 0.6%, especially in the range of 0.1875 and 0.530%, and the ratio of C/B lies between 12 and 18.

[0123] In the following, an example of a powder from an Ni alloy on the basis of alloy 718 is presented (values in wt %):

TABLE-US-00008 C max. 0.08%  S max. 0.015% Cr 17-21% Ni 50-55% Mn max. 0.35%  Si max. 0.35%  Mo 2.8-3.3% Ti 0.65-1.15% Nb 4.75-5.5  Cu max. 0.3%  Fe  6-25% P max. 0.015% Al 0.2-0.8% Co max. 1%    B max. 0.006% Ta max. 0.05%  O 0.00001-0.1%   Pb max. 0.001%, especially max. 0.0005% Se max. 0.0005%, especially max. 0.0003% Bi max. 0.00005%, especially max. 0.00003%

[0124] Alternatively, this alloy may also have higher Ni contents (values in wt %).

TABLE-US-00009 C max. 0.1%  S max. 0.03%, especially max. 0.02% Cr 17-32%, especially 17-30% Ni 58-79, especially 58-72% Nb max. 4.1%, especially max. 0.6% Fe max. 18%   C max. 0.1%  S max. 0.02% Mn max. 1%   Si max. 1%   Mo    >0-10%   Ti max. 3.25%, especially max. 2.7% Cu max. 0.5%  Al max. 3.15% V max. 0.6%  Zr max. 0.1%  Co max. 15%, especially max. 7% O 0.00001-0.1% as well as, optionally (values in wt %): B max. 0.008%, especially max. 0.006% Se  max. 0.0005% Bi   max. 0.00005% Pb  max. 0.002% P max. 0.03%, especially max. 0.02%

[0125] Further restrictions are conceivable such as below (values in wt %):

TABLE-US-00010 C 0.01-0.04% Mn max. 0.5% Si max. 0.5% Cu max. 0.2%

[0126] As well as, optionally if necessary (values in wt %):

TABLE-US-00011 Mo 8-10%

[0127] Optionally, the oxygen content of the generated alloy may lie at 0.00001-0.1%, at 0.0001-0.1%, at 0.001-0.1%, at 0.001-0.0020 or at 0.0015-0.002%.

[0128] Optionally, the oxygen content may also be adjusted as follows: [0129] 0.00001-0.1 [0130] 0.00002-0.1 [0131] 0.00005-0.1 [0132] 0.00008-0.1 [0133] 0.0001-0.1 [0134] 0.0002-0.1 [0135] 0.0005-0.1 [0136] 0.0008-0.1 [0137] 0.001-0.1 [0138] 0.002-0.1 [0139] 0.005-0.1 [0140] 0.008-0.1 [0141] 0.010-0.1 [0142] 0.00001-0.10 [0143] 0.00001-0.08 [0144] 0.00001-0.05 [0145] 0.00001-0.03 [0146] 0.00001-0.02

[0147] The nitrogen must be smaller than or equal to 0.100%, in order to ensure the manufacturability and usability of the alloy. Too high nitrogen content leads to the formation of nitrides, which negatively influence the properties of the alloy. A too low nitrogen content increases the costs. The nitrogen content is therefore 0.00001%. The following restrictions of the nitrogen content are conceivable: [0148] 0.00001-0.1 [0149] 0.00002-0.1 [0150] 0.00005-0.1 [0151] 0.00008-0.1 [0152] 0.0001-0.1 [0153] 0.0002-0.1 [0154] 0.0005-0.1 [0155] 0.0008-0.1 [0156] 0.001-0.1 [0157] 0.002-0.1 [0158] 0.005-0.1 [0159] 0.008-0.1 [0160] 0.010-0.1 [0161] 0.00001-0.10 [0162] 0.00001-0.08 [0163] 0.00001-0.05 [0164] 0.00001-0.03 [0165] 0.00001-0.02

[0166] Both in the powder and in fabricated components (3D printed samples), the particle sizes both of nitrides and of carbides and/or carbonitrides is very low (approximately <8 μm). In some cases, the above-mentioned particles may not be present or may be visible only after heat treatment. Small particle sizes of N-containing precipitates have positive effect on high-temperature properties and resistance to alternating loads (low-cycle Fatigue—LCF), since N-containing precipitates act as crack-initiation sites in conventionally manufactured alloys.

[0167] The argon content must be smaller than or equal to 0.08%, in order to ensure the manufacturability and usability of the alloy. Argon cannot be dissolved in the y-matrix, and so it may negatively influence the mechanical properties of the structural part, since argon inclusions may act as crack-initiation sites. A too low argon content increases the costs. The argon content is therefore ≥0.0000001% (≥1 ppb). The following restrictions of the argon content are conceivable, wherein the argon contents from the powder manufacture as well as from the structural part manufacture are included: [0168] 0.0000001-0.05 [0169] 0.0000002-0.05 [0170] 0.0000001-0.005 [0171] 0.0000001-0.002 [0172] 0.0000001-0.001

[0173] The method according to the invention is intended to be usable preferably for the following alloys: [0174] Alloy 601 [0175] Alloy 602 CA and its variant MCA [0176] Alloy 617 and its variants 617 B and 617 OCC [0177] Alloy 625 [0178] Alloy 690 [0179] Alloy 699XA [0180] Alloy 718 and its variants [0181] Alloy 780 [0182] Alloy 788 [0183] Alloy 80A [0184] Alloy 81 [0185] Alloy X-750 [0186] Alloy C-263 [0187] Alloy K-500 [0188] Waspaloy [0189] FM 625 [0190] FM 617 as well as [0191] FM 602 [0192] Alloy 31 [0193] Alloy 31 Plus [0194] Alloy 25 [0195] Alloy 28 [0196] Alloy 33 [0197] Alloy 59 [0198] Alloy 188 [0199] Alloy 310 L [0200] Alloy 330 [0201] Alloy 333 [0202] Alloy 400 [0203] Alloy 600 +600 L [0204] Ally 800 +800 H, HP, L [0205] Alloy 825 +825 CTP [0206] Alloy 925 [0207] Alloy 926 [0208] Alloy 2120 MoN [0209] Alloy B2 [0210] Alloy C 276 [0211] Crofer 22 APU [0212] Crofer 22 H

[0213] As examples, Table 1 shows ranges of analysis of the aforementioned alloys.

TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 1 Alloy 601 Alloy 602 CA/MCA FM 602 Alloy 617 (B/OCC) FM 617 Alloy 625 FM 625 Alloy 690 Alloy 699XA C 0.03-0.1  0.15-0.25 0.15-0.25 0.05-0.08 0.05-0.15 -0.03 -0.1 -0.05 0.005-0.12  S −0.015 −0.01 −0.008 −0.01 −0.015 −0.01 N −0.05 Cr 21-25 24-26 24-26 21-23 20-24 21-23 20-23 27-31 26-30 Ni 58-63 59-66 59-66 45-58 50-61 58-71 58-71 58-66 62-72 Mn −1 −0.5 −0.5 −0.5 −1 −0.5 −0.5 −0.5 −0.5 Si −0.5 −0.5 −0.5 −0.3 −1 −0.4 −0.5 −0.5 −0.5 Mo  8-10  8-10  8-10  8-10 Ti −0.5 0.1-0.2 0.1-0.2 0.25-0.5  −0.6 −0.4 −0.4 −0.6 Nb −0.6   3-4.1 −0.5 Cu −0.5 −0.1 −0.1 −0.5 −0.5 −0.5 −0.5 Fe −18  8-11  8-11 −1.5 −3 −5 −5  7-11 −2.5 P −0.02 −0.02 −0.012 −0.03 −0.01 −0.02 Al   1-1.7 1.8-2.4 1.8-2.4 0.8-1.3 0.8-1.5 −0.4 −0.4 2-3 Mg Ca V −0.6 Zr 0.01-0.1  0.01-0.1  −0.1 W −0.5 Co −1 11-13 10-15 −1 B −0.006 0.001-0.005 −0.008 Ni + Co Nb + Ta 3.2-3.8 3.2-3.8 3.2-3.8 Weitere Elemente/additional elements Alloy 718 Alloy 718 CTP FM 718 Alloy 780 Alloy 788 Waspaloy Alloy C-263 Alloy 80A Alloy 81 C −0.08 −0.045 −0.08 −0.1 0.04-0.1  0.02-0.1  0.04-0.08 0.04-0.1  −0.08 S −0.015 −0.01 −0.015 −0.01 −0.03 −0.007 −0.015 −0.02 N −0.03 Cr 17-21 17-21 17-21 16-20 18-21 18-21 19-21 18-21 28-32 Ni 50-55 50-55 50-55 26-62 51-69 49.6-62.5 50-55 65-79 59-66 Mn −0.35 −0.35 −0.3 −0.5 −1 −1 −0.6 −1 −0.7 Si −0.35 −0.35 −0.3 −0.3 −0.5 −0.75 −0.4 −1 −0.7 Mo 2.8-3.3 2.8-3.3 2.8-3.3 2-4 3.5-5   5.6-6.1 −0.5 Ti 0.65-1.15  0.8-1.15 0.7-1.1 0.1-1   1.8-2.7 2.75-3.25 1.9-2.4 1.8-2.7 1.5-2.1 Nb 4.75-5.5  Nb + Ta 4.8-5.5 Cu −0.3 −0.23 −0.3 −0.5 −0.2 −0.5 −0.2 −0.2 −0.25 Fe  6-25 12-24 −24 −10  8-15 −2 −0.7 −1.5 −1.5 P −0.015 −0.01 −0.015 −0.03 −0.02 −0.03 −0.015 Al 0.2-0.8 0.4-0.6 0.2-0.8 1-3   1-1.8 1.2-1.6 0.3-0.6   1-1.8 −1.2 Mg −0.01 −1 Ca −0.01 V Zr −0.05 0.02-0.12 0.01-0.1  W Co −1 −1 15-28 3-7 12-15 19-21 01. Mrz [March] B −0.006 −0.006 −0.006 −0.02 −0.008 0.003-0.01  −0.005 −0.006 Ni + Co Nb + Ta 4.87-5.2  4-6 Weitere Elemente/additional elements C Alloy K-500 Alloy X−750 Alloy 31 Plus ® Alloy 28 Alloy 31 Alloy 33 Alloy 59 Alloy 188 S −0.18 −0.08 ≤0.01 ≤0.015 ≤0.015 ≤0.015 ≤0.01 0.05 to 0.15 N −0.01 −0.01 ≤0.01 ≤0.01 ≤0.01 ≤0.01 ≤0.01 ≤0.015 Cr 0.1 to 0.25 0.04 to 0.07 0.15 to 0.25 0.35 to 0.6 Ni 14-17 26.0 to 27.0 26 to 28 26 to 28 31 to 35 22 to 24 20 to 24 Mn 63-70   70-77.5 33.5 to 35.0 30 to 32 30 to 32 30 to 33 57 to 63 20 to 24 Si −1.5 −1 1.0 to 4.0 ≤2 ≤2 ≤2 ≤0.5 ≤1.25 Mo −0.5 −0.5 ≤0.10 ≤0.7 ≤0.3 ≤0.5 ≤0.1 0.2 to 0.4 Ti 6.0 to 7.0 3 to 4 6 to 7 0.5 to 2 15 to 16.5 Nb 0.35-0.85 2.25-2.75 Cu 0.7-1.2 Fe 27-33 −0.5 0.5 to 1.5 1 to 1.4 1 to 1.4 0.3 to 1.2 ≤0.5 P 0.5-2   5-9 22.5 to 33.5 32 to 40 29 to 37 26 to 38 ≤1.5 ≤3 Al −0.02 ≤0.02 ≤0.02 ≤0.02 ≤0.02 ≤0.015 ≤≤0.015 Mg  2.3-3.15 0.4-1   0.3 0.1 to 0.4 ≤0.2 Ca V Zr W Co 13 to 16 B −1 ≤0.3 Ni + Co ≤0.01 Nb + Ta Weitere Elemente/additional elements 0.7-1.2 C Alloy 310 L Alloy 300 Alloy 333 Alloy 400 Alloy 600 Alloy 600 L Alloy 800 Alloy 800 H Alloy 800 HP S ≤0.02 ≤0.15 0.03 to 0.06 ≤0.15 0.05 to 0.1 ≤0.025 ≤0.1 0.06 to 0.10 0.06 to 0.1 N ≤0.005 ≤0.015 ≤0.02 ≤0.015 ≤0.01 ≤0.01 ≤0.01 ≤0.01 Cr Ni 24 to 25 15 to 17 24 to 26 14 to 17 14 to 17 19.0 to 21.5 19 to 21 19 to 22 Mn 20 to 21 33 to 37 44 to 47 ≥63 ≥72 ≥72 30.0 to 32.0 30 to 32 30 to 32 Si ≤1 ≤2 1.2 to 2 ≤2 ≤1 ≤1 0.5 to 1.0 0.5 to 1 0.5 to 1 Mo ≤0.15 1 to 2 0.8 to 1.2 ≤0.5 ≤0.5 ≤0.5 0.2 to 0.6 0.2 to 0.6 0.2 to 0.6 Ti ≤0.1 2.5 to 3.5 Nb 0.1 to 0.2 ≤0.3 ≤0.3 0.20 to 0.5 0.2 to 0.6 0.3 to 0.6 Cu Fe ≤0.5 28 to 34 ≤0.5 ≤0.5 ≤0.5 ≤0.5 ≤0.5 P 42 to 51 13 to 22 1 to 2.5 6 to 10 6 to 10 41 to 47 43 to 50 43 to 50 Al ≤0.02 ≤0.045 ≤0.02 ≤0.015 ≤0.015 ≤0.015 ≤0.015 Mg ≤0.5 ≤0.3 ≤0.3 0.20 to 0.40 0.2 to 0.6 0.3 to 0.6 Ca V Zr W Co 2.5 to 3.5 B 2.5 to 3.5 Ni + Co ≤0.006 Nb + Ta Weitere Elemente/additional elements Al + Ti max. 1.0% Al + Ti max 0.7% Al + Ti 0.85% − 1.2% C Alloy 800 L Alloy 825 Alloy 825 CTP Alloy 925 Alloy 926 Alloy 2120 MoN Alloy B-2 S ≤0.025 ≤0.025 ≤0.015 ≤0.03 ≤0.020 ≤0.01 ≤0.01 N ≤0.01 ≤0.015 ≤0.005 ≤0.03 ≤0.010 ≤0.01 ≤0.01 Cr ≤0.03 0.15 to 0.25 0.02 to 0.15 Ni 20 to 22 19.5 to 23.5 21 to 23 19.5 to 22.5 20.0 to 21.0 20.0 to 23.0 0.4 to 1 Mn 32 to 34 38 to 46 39 to 43 42 to 46 24.00 to 26.00 58 64 to 72 Si 0.5 to 1 ≤1 0.5 to 0.9 ≤1 ≤1.00 ≤0.50 ≤1 Mo ≤0.7 ≤0.5 0.2 to 0.5 ≤0.5 ≤0.50 ≤0.1 ≤0.08 Ti 2.5 to 3.5 4.5 to 6.5 2.5 to 3.5 6.0 to 7.0 18.5 to 21.0 26 to 30 Nb 0.35 to 0.6 0.6 to 1.2 1.9 to 2.4 Cu ≤0.15 ≤0.5 Fe ≤0.5 1.5 to 3 1.6 to 2.3 1.5 to 3 0.5 to 1.5 ≤0.5 ≤0.5 P 41 to 47 20 to 38 20 to 38 ≤22 ≤1.5 1.6 to 2 Al ≤0.015 ≤0.02 ≤0.03 ≤0.030 ≤0.015 ≤0.02 Mg 0.15 to 0.4 ≤0.2 0.06 to 0.25 0.1 to 0.5 ≤0.4 Ca 0.006 to 0.015 V Zr W Co ≤0.3 B ≤1 ≤0.5 ≤0.3 ≤1 Ni + Co 0.002 to 0.004 Nb + Ta Weitere Elemente/additional elements Al + Ti 1.0% C Alloy C-263 Alloy C-276 Crofer 22 APU Crofer 22 H NeutroShield S 0.04 to 0.08 ≤0.01 ≤0.03 ≤0.03 ≤0.08 N ≤0.007 ≤0.01 ≤0.020 ≤0.006 ≤0.030 Cr ≤0.04 ≤0.10 Ni 19.0 to 21.0 15 to 16.5 20.0 to 24.0 20 to 24 18.00 to 20.00 Mn 50 to 55 51 to 63 ≤0.5 12.00 to 15.00 Si ≤0.6 ≤1 0.30 to 0.80 ≤0.8 ≤2.00 Mo ≤0.4 ≤0.08 ≤0.50 0.1 to 0.6 Ti 5.6 to 6.1 15 to 17 Nb 1.90 to 2.40 0.03 to 0.20 0.02 to 0.2 Cu 0.2 to 1 Fe ≤0.2 ≤0.50 ≤0.5 P ≤0.7 4 to 7 ≥73 70 to 79 R Al ≤0.015 ≤0.02 ≤0.050 ≤0.05 ≤0.045 Mg 0.30 to 0.60 ≤0.50 ≤0.1 Ca V Zr ≤0.3 W Co 3 to 4.5 1 to 3 B 19.0 to 21.0 ≤2.5 ≤0.2 Ni + Co ≤0.005 0.20 to 2.25 Nb + Ta Weitere Elemente/additional elements Ag: max, 0.0005; Zr: max. 0.02; Al + Ti: 2.40-2.80; Ni: Rest. Si 0.75% (max) Pb, Ag, Zr: Bestimmung nur auf Bestellung. only if ordered

[0214] Powders with a particle size from 5 μm to 250 μm are obtained.

[0215] A too small particle size below 5 μm impairs the flow behavior and is therefore to be avoided; a too large particle size above 250 μm impairs the behavior during additive fabrication.

[0216] A too low bulk density of 2 g/cm.sup.2 impairs the behavior during additive fabrication. The greatest possible bulk density of approximately 8 g/cm.sup.3 is imposed by the density of the alloy.

[0217] The oxygen content must be smaller than or equal to 0.100%, in order to ensure the manufacturability and usability of the alloy. A too low oxygen content increases the costs. The oxygen content is therefore 0.0001%. The powders manufactured according to this method may be used in the additive fabrication for construction of components that have the properties of the underlying alloys.

[0218] Moreover, the powder described above may also be used for the manufacture of the structural parts by means of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) or conventional sintering and extrusion-pressing processes. Moreover, the method combination of additive fabrication and subsequent HIP treatment is possible. For this purpose it is possible to apply the post processing steps described below for HIP structural parts for the generative fabrication.

[0219] The powders fabricated according to this method and also components fabricated from this powder (3D printed samples) are free of nitrides and also of carbides and/or carbonitrides. Should nitrides and also of carbides nevertheless be present, these have a particle size in the diameter of <100 nm especially <50 nm.

[0220] After a heat treatment of components fabricated from this powder (3D printed samples) for homogenization, diffusion annealing above 900° C., especially above 1000° C., ideally above 1100° C. for more than 1 hour, nitrides and also of carbides and/or carbonitrides may appear in the fabricated components (3D printed samples). These have a particle size in the diameter of <8 μm, or respectively <5 μm, ideally <1 μm, especially <500 nm. By way of example, the method according to the invention is explained as follows:

[0221] Melts in the following were generated with the method according to the invention and fabricated as powder (values in wt %):

TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 2 Charge P10030 P10036 P10038 P10039 P10046 P10049 P10057 P10153 P10154 P10155 C 0.022 0.027 0.025 0.026 0.028 0.023 0.033 0.002 0.002 0.003 S 0.0005 0.0005 0.0006 0.0005 0.0007 0.0006 0.001 0.002 0.002 0.002 N 0.007 0.008 0.006 0.008 0.005 0.008 0.007 0.004 0.004 0.003 Cr 18.33 18.38 17.94 18.35 17.94 18.95 18.56 22.46 22.48 22.72 Ni 53.07 53.24 52.33 53.24 53.32 52.2 53.44 60.91 60.71 60.5 Mn 0.04 0.03 0.18 0.1 0.03 0.11 0.03 0.2 0.19 0.18 Si 0.06 0.05 0.18 0.08 0.04 0.16 0.06 0.01 0.01 0.01 Mo 2.98 3.03 2.96 3.01 3.05 3.13 2.98 15.43 15.42 15.48 Ti 0.93 0.93 1.28 0.98 0.9 0.92 0.95 0.01 0.01 0.01 Nb 5.28 5.37 5.18 5.09 5.41 5.61 5.39 0.01 0.01 0.01 Cu 0.03 0.02 0.14 0.05 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.01 Fe 18.52 18.18 17.66 18.01 18.55 17.63 17.82 0.52 0.66 0.67 P 0.009 0.008 0.039 0.013 0.007 0.011 0.007 0.002 0.002 0.002 Al 0.55 0.58 0.8 0.6 0.52 0.53 0.46 0.24 0.31 0.22 Mg 0.001 0.001 0.011 0.005 0.001 0.002 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 Ca 0.001 0.001 0.002 0.004 0.001 0.004 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 V 0.02 0.02 0.18 0.06 0.02 0.13 0.02 0.16 0.15 0.15 Zr 0.01 0.01 0.05 0.05 0.01 0.03 0.01 — — — W 0.03 0.03 0.19 0.09 0.06 0.06 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01 Co 0.1 0.08 0.84 0.22 0.07 0.44 0.08 0.01 0.01 0.01 B 0.004 0.004 0.007 0.004 0.004 0.01 0.004 0.001 0.001 0.001 Charge P10156 P10157 P10207 P10208 P10209 P10210 P10211 P10212 P10213 P10214 P10215 C 0.003 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.003 0.002 0.002 S 0.002 0.002 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003 N 0.004 0.005 0.003 0.005 0.004 0.004 0.003 0.006 0.005 0.002 0.003 Cr 22.78 22.66 22.8 22.65 22.95 22.66 22.5 22.54 22.43 22.46 22.49 Ni 60.27 60.19 60.4 60.34 60.27 60.36 60.82 60.4 61.01 60.89 60.59 Mn 0.19 0.18 0.22 0.22 0.2 0.18 0.19 0.18 0.19 0.15 0.17 Si 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.01 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.02 Mo 15.71 16.02 15.5 15.64 15.47 15.68 15.39 15.77 15.39 15.39 15.68 Ti 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Nb 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Cu 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Fe 0.61 0.45 0.61 0.61 0.53 0.53 0.53 0.52 0.44 0.52 0.51 P 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 Al 0.22 0.28 0.22 0.24 0.27 0.26 0.28 0.26 0.26 0.29 0.27 Mg 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 Ca 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 V 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.13 0.14 0.14 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.15 Zr — — — — — — — — — — — W 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Co 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.08 0.09 0.1 0.07 0.09 0.06 0.08 0.06 B 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001

[0222] Chemical compositions of the powder manufactured with the method according to the invention are indicated in Table 2.

[0223] Both powder and also in fabricated components (3D printed samples) were free of nitrides and also of carbides.

[0224] After an annealing at a temperature of 1100° C. for 1 hour followed by a quenching in water, particles such as nitrides and also carbides and/or carbonitrides were present in fabricated components (3D printed samples). These had a particle size in the diameter of smaller than <1 μm.