GH2136 Alloy 

GH2136 is an advanced Fe-Ni-Cr-based precipitation-hardening wrought superalloy, further optimized on the basis of GH2135 to address higher-temperature service demands. It achieves strengthening primarily through the coherent precipitation of γ' phase (Ni₃Ti, Al, Nb, V) and is supplemented by synergistic solid solution strengthening from chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), and niobium (Nb). Compared to GH2135, this alloy exhibits enhanced high-temperature creep rupture strength (especially above 850℃), improved resistance to thermal corrosion from sulfur-containing media, and better microstructural stability under long-term high-temperature exposure, enabling reliable long-term operation in harsh medium-to-high temperature environments ranging from 750℃ to 900℃.

Notably, GH2136 maintains excellent mechanical properties even in environments with high-temperature sulfur-containing steam (e.g., flue gas in waste incineration power plants) or weak alkaline media. Its balanced hot workability and weldability make it a cost-effective alternative to high-nickel superalloys (e.g., Inconel 718, Hastelloy X) in high-temperature, high-corrosion scenarios. It is widely used in next-generation aerospace engines, advanced ultra-supercritical power generation, and heavy-duty petrochemical industries where material high-temperature load-bearing capacity and corrosion resistance are critical. The following is a comprehensive breakdown of its chemical composition, physical properties, and application products.

1. Chemical Composition (Mass Fraction, %)

 

Element

Carbon (C)

Chromium (Cr)

Nickel (Ni)

Molybdenum (Mo)

Titanium (Ti)

Aluminum (Al)

Niobium (Nb)

Vanadium (V)

Iron (Fe)

Manganese (Mn)

Silicon (Si)

Phosphorus (P)

Sulfur (S)

Boron (B)

Zirconium (Zr)

Content Range

≤0.06

15.0-18.0

26.0-29.0

1.5-2.2

2.2-2.8

0.30-0.50

0.50-0.80

0.40-0.70

Balance

≤0.60

≤0.50

≤0.012

≤0.008

≤0.007

≤0.05

Function Note

Precisely controls grain growth; minimizes carbide precipitation at grain boundaries

Enhances high-temperature oxidation and sulfur-induced corrosion resistance; strengthens solid solution effect

Forms stable γ' phase with Ti/Al/Nb/V; ensures alloy ductility and toughness at high temperatures

Enhances high-temperature strength and creep resistance; improves resistance to hydrogen embrittlement in petrochemical environments

Core element for γ' phase precipitation; main contributor to creep rupture strength at 800-900℃

Assists Ti in forming fine γ' phase; optimizes precipitation distribution to reduce creep deformation

Refines γ' phase particles; extends γ' phase stability temperature range to 900℃

Improves creep resistance and thermal fatigue performance; stabilizes matrix microstructure

Matrix element; balances alloy density, cost, and processability for large components

Improves hot workability; reduces cold cracking risk during welding of thick-walled parts

Enhances deoxidation effect; strictly controls content to avoid reducing high-temperature corrosion resistance

Strictly limited to prevent intergranular corrosion and creep cracking in high-temperature steam

Strictly limited to avoid hot cracking during forging; improves intergranular strength

Refines grain boundaries; further enhances thermal fatigue resistance in cyclic temperature environments

2. Physical Properties

2.1 Basic Physical Parameters

• Density: Approximately 8.12g/cm³ at room temperature (25℃), which is slightly higher than GH2135 (8.05g/cm³) due to increased niobium and vanadium content, but still 6-8% lower than nickel-based superalloys (e.g., GH3128: 8.70g/cm³). This low-density advantage is critical for weight-sensitive components such as large turbine disks and aerospace structural parts, reducing equipment overall weight by 3-8% compared to high-nickel alternatives.
• Magnetic Properties: Weakly magnetic at room temperature (magnetic permeability μᵣ ≈ 1.007-1.013); magnetic property gradually fades as temperature rises, becoming nearly non-magnetic (μᵣ ≈ 1.001-1.002) in the service temperature range (750-900℃). This makes it suitable for applications near general electromagnetic equipment, though caution is still needed for high-precision magnetic sensors (e.g., aerospace navigation systems, nuclear reactor magnetic measurement devices).
• Melting Temperature Range: 1340-1400℃ (liquidus: ~1400℃; solidus: ~1340℃). The narrow melting range ensures uniform solidification during casting and forging, reducing internal defects (e.g., shrinkage porosity, segregation) and improving component structural integrity—critical for high-pressure load-bearing parts such as boiler headers and turbine rotors.
• Thermal Expansion Coefficient (CTE):

2.2 Thermal Properties

◦ 20-100℃: ~12.4×10⁻⁶/℃

◦ 20-600℃: ~13.8×10⁻⁶/℃

◦ 20-800℃: ~15.0×10⁻⁶/℃

◦ 20-900℃: ~15.4×10⁻⁶/℃

The more gradual CTE increase (compared to GH2135) minimizes thermal stress during frequent temperature cycling (e.g., aero-engine start-stop, boiler load adjustment), reducing thermal fatigue cracking risk by 40-50% compared to conventional Fe-Cr-Ni alloys (e.g., 316H stainless steel).

• Thermal Conductivity (λ):

◦ 100℃: ~15.5W/(m·K)

◦ 500℃: ~19.0W/(m·K)

◦ 800℃: ~21.5W/(m·K)

◦ 900℃: ~22.2W/(m·K)

The temperature-dependent conductivity improvement promotes efficient heat dissipation in high-temperature components, avoiding localized overheating (a major cause of creep acceleration) and extending part service life by 25-30% compared to GH2135.

2.3 Mechanical Properties (After Standard Heat Treatment: 1020-1050℃ solid solution for 1h, water cooling + 740-770℃ aging for 10h, air cooling)

 

Property	Room Temperature (25℃)	600℃	700℃	800℃	850℃	900℃
Yield Strength (σ₀.₂, MPa)	≥930	≥820	≥750	≥600	≥480	≥380
Tensile Strength (σᵦ, MPa)	≥1120	≥960	≥860	≥680	≥550	≥450
Elongation (δ₅, %)	≥17	≥16	≥13	≥11	≥9	≥7
Reduction of Area (ψ, %)	≥24	≥22	≥20	≥17	≥14	≥11
Creep Rupture Strength (1000h, MPa)	-	≥620	≥520	≥320	≥220	≥150

Key Notes:

• The higher room-temperature strength (σᵦ ≥1120MPa) compared to GH2135 meets the load-bearing requirements of high-pressure fasteners and advanced compressor disks in next-generation high-thrust aero-engines;
• At 800℃ (a typical service temperature for advanced industrial gas turbine components), the creep rupture strength (≥320MPa) is 14-18% higher than that of GH2135, ensuring long-term structural stability under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions;
• Even at 900℃ (near its upper service limit), the retained elongation (≥7%) and creep rupture strength (≥150MPa) prevent brittle fracture during emergency shutdowns or thermal shocks, expanding its application range to higher-temperature scenarios (e.g., waste incineration power plant heat exchangers).

3. Application Products & Industry Scenarios

3.1 Aerospace Field

GH2136 is a core material for high-performance medium-to-high temperature components in next-generation aero-engines and aerospace vehicles, with typical applications including:

• Advanced Aero-engine Components: High-pressure compressor disks (rotational speed up to 17,000 rpm) and low-pressure turbine blades in large bypass ratio turbofan engines (thrust ≥150kN). These parts operate in environments with 750-850℃ gas and cyclic thermal stress; the alloy’s creep resistance ensures a service life of up to 35,000 flight hours.
• Aerospace Propulsion System Parts: High-temperature fasteners (used in combustion chamber casings and turbine stators) and fluid pipeline connectors in rocket auxiliary propulsion systems (e.g., liquid oxygen/kerosene engines). The alloy’s enhanced thermal corrosion resistance (to rocket fuel combustion by-products such as CO₂ and H₂O) improves reliability during long-duration space missions (e.g., satellite launch vehicles).

3.2 Energy Field

3.2.1 Advanced Ultra-supercritical (A-USC) Thermal Power Generation

In A-USC power plants (steam parameters: 650-700℃, 35-40MPa), GH2136 is used for:

• High-temperature Steam Valves: Main control valves and stop valves in the main steam pipeline, resisting high-temperature steam erosion and ensuring seal integrity for over 150,000 hours.
• Boiler Final Superheater Headers: High-temperature headers (620-650℃) connecting final superheaters, where its excellent thermal fatigue resistance reduces leakage risks caused by frequent load changes (e.g., daily peak-shaving operations).
• High-pressure Turbine Rotor Blades: Blades in the first four stages of high-pressure turbines, where the alloy’s creep resistance (to high-temperature steam) extends maintenance intervals by 30-36 months.

3.2.2 Waste Incineration & Biomass Power Generation

For power plants using waste or biomass fuel (flue gas temperature: 800-850℃, containing sulfur and chlorine), the alloy is applied to:

• Flue Gas Heat Exchanger Tubes: Tubes in waste heat boilers, resisting corrosion from sulfur-containing flue gas and reducing tube replacement frequency by 50-60% compared to 310S stainless steel.
• Ash Handling System Components: High-temperature ash hoppers and conveyor parts, withstanding 750-800℃ ash erosion and chemical corrosion from acidic ash.

3.3 Petrochemical Field

In large-scale petrochemical plants (especially heavy oil hydrogenation and coal-to-olefins units), GH2136 is used for:

• High-temperature Centrifugal Compressor Disks: Disks in coal gasification syngas compressors (operating temperature: 750-800℃, medium: syngas with H₂ and trace sulfur), where its creep resistance prevents disk deformation under long-term high-speed rotation (up to 14,000 rpm).
• Hydrogenation Reactor Internals: High-pressure valve stems and catalyst support grids in heavy oil hydrogenation reactors (pressure: 20-25MPa, temperature: 780-830℃), resisting hydrogen embrittlement and sulfur corrosion.
• Cracking Furnace Tubes: High-temperature furnace tubes (850-900℃) in coal-to-olefins cracking furnaces, reducing maintenance costs by 40-45% compared to GH3128 due to improved creep resistance and thermal stability.
• Metallurgical Industry: High-temperature rolling mill work rolls for nickel-based alloy hot rolling (working temperature: 800-850℃) and vacuum heat treatment furnace baskets (used for annealing high-strength superalloys). The alloy’s wear resistance and oxidation resistance extend roll service life by 70% and reduce basket replacement frequency.
• Marine Engineering: High-temperature exhaust manifold components in large marine gas turbines (fuel: low-sulfur marine diesel), resisting combined corrosion from 750-800℃ exhaust gas and marine salt spray.
• High-temperature Test Equipment: Sample holders for ultra-high-temperature creep testing (750-900℃) and high-load fixture components in material performance testing machines, providing stable support for long-term tests (up to 10,000 hours) and ensuring accurate test data for next-generation superalloy research.
• Hot Working: Forging temperature range: 1140-1220℃; initial forging temperature should not exceed 1220℃ to avoid grain coarsening, and final forging temperature should not be lower than 1000℃ to prevent grain boundary cracking (higher than GH2135 due to increased niobium content);
• Cold Working: Cold rolling or stamping can be performed at room temperature, with intermediate annealing (940-980℃, 1h) recommended after 20-30% deformation to restore ductility—note that cold workability is slightly lower than GH2135, so deformation rate should be controlled to avoid cracking;
• Heat Treatment: The two-step process (solid solution + aging) must be strictly controlled—over-aging (above 800℃) will cause γ' phase coarsening and significant strength degradation, while under-aging (below 720℃) will result in insufficient precipitation strengthening and reduced high-temperature creep resistance.

3.4 Metallurgical & Other High-end Fields

4. Processing & Heat Treatment Recommendations

This comprehensive performance and application profile makes GH2136 an advanced, cost-effective superalloy for next-generation medium-to-high temperature high-end manufacturing, perfectly balancing high-temperature strength, corrosion resistance, and processability for the most demanding industrial equipment scenarios.