The role of niobium in wrought superalloys

It is the purpose of this paper to examine the role that niobium plays in certain superalloys and to describe the properties that are achieved as a result of its inclusion in these wrought superalloys. To begin, the general alloying characteristics of niobium in nickel-base alloys are described. Then the specific role of niobium in the alloys 625, 706 and 718 is examined for its contribution to developing microstructure and the impact of the resulting microstructure on properties. This paper defines the role the niobium plays in making these alloys premier materials of choice in today’s aerospace and land-based gas turbines. (AU)