A hybrid arc spray forming technique for the manufacture of nickel superalloy IN617

Spray forming produces cast microstructures with comparatively low macro‐ and micro‐structural chemical segregation and is thus well‐suited for the manufacture of complex chemistry, multi‐component alloys that otherwise show strong elemental segregation. Although spray formed Ni superalloys have shown properties equivalent or superior to their conventionally cast/wrought counterparts, they have not been adopted commercially because of the difficulties in ensuring a high process yield and the complexity and associated cost of large‐scale Ni superalloy melting. In this paper, we describe a hybrid arc spray forming (HASF) process in which costly, large‐scale alloy melting as pre‐cursor to spray forming is avoided by the use of a consumable wire feedstock. To achieve thermal conditions of melt spray forming – essential to produce a refined, polygonal grain structure – a customised secondary atomisation system has been developed. Fe‐0.8 wt%C and Ni superalloy IN617 microstructures and preliminary mechanical properties suggested that hybrid arc spray forming may offer an attractive combination of convenience, low cost and mechanical performance.