US2661285A

US2661285A - Nonferrous alloy

Info

Publication number: US2661285A
Application number: US146387A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gorschalki Max
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-02-25
Filing date: 1950-02-25
Publication date: 1953-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 1970-12-01

Description

Patented Dec. 1, 1953 Nii'niawnig? efiisfliiiationrgb ary25f 1950;" sesame. 146,387

9 Claims.

This invention relates" to' alloys nickel,- chro'm'ium, manganese *and '-mo1ybdenur n,--- and particularly to suehalloysdn which the nickel F and. chromium contents predominatei-- x object of the in-ventibn is toproi ide -such a stainlessnon-ferrous alloy characteri'zied by high tensile strength;- and resistance to corrosive' at tack' by such substances as acid, alkali; sea water'- andfcorrosive-gasesi A related object is-to pro vide such an alloy which *is "highly-Iresistant to f wear. Othen object's are to wane an alloy capable of high surface polish and 'hi'gh ele'ctrical resistivity;- v I There have heretofore been 'piopose'dnon-fer rous alloys composed principally of nickel: and chromium and there have ever been proposed nickeLchromium alloys "containing molybdenum.

None of these 'non-ferrous'alloys,however, have been 'characterized by-exceptionally high tensile" strength, for example; beyond 95,000 lbs. per" squareinch. In accordancewith my invention, I can provide an alloy ca ipa ble-"of' a tensile strength in the order of 150,000 lbs. per square inch; andI havebeen able "to do thisby my dis covery that" the addition to" a nickel-chromium" alloy of both manganese and molybdenum in proper proportions can" markedly increase the tensile "strerig'thf as f wel'l as the 'Wear resis'tancei Without undue brittleness;

While molybdenumand mangansehave ih ere tofore' been used separatelyfto 1 some extent in arly rerr'o' s meta "alloys; for one purposeor another, the use ofboth' molyb- Ea 'num fandj" manganese in a nickel-chromium" metal alloys" particul base alloy has never heretofore been us'edin' pro-- portions which make them'asignific'ant part'of' the completed alloyg" In the 'courseof my"'ex perim'ents I have found 'thatthe"additiori of molybdenum or of manganese "separately froni each other in a nickel-chrorhium alloy does not increase the tensile strength appreciably beyond 95,000 1bs.'pe'r square inch, regardless" of amounts used. However, whenI addedboth"molyb'denum and manganese in' proper proportions? to the nickel-chromium alloys, I exp'eriencedfthe 'un; usual result that the tensile strengthbould there by be a1mo'st-doubled.- The-fpresenceof man-'- ganese in the proportion ofaboutz'td "4% by weight of the alloy'and ofmolybdenum in-the proportionof about /;*to 2% by weig1it of the alloy, can 1 increase the I tensile strength 'of a nickel chror'nium' alloy-fromabout 79,700'to about- The inclusion of the maaeariese beriefits the; alloy b3zincreasing its malleability andtoughness as" well as providing the-' eittr'aordinari-ly high tefis'ile 'stien gth in cornbir1alti'ori -tviththe melyb deriuiri. The molybdenum 'inaddition' to produe ing, 'th'e great-tensile strength i in" company -with' th'e' manganese?'providesfor the allby th dsir; able properties of increased "ductility and'fatig'ue" resistance.

Increasingeither the manganese or the mo1yb=' denumvor both, substantially above %*or -2%;" would create an alloy of unduerespectively, brittleness; and decreasing the manganese" or molybdenum, or both, substantially below 2% and respectively, wouldniarkedly "decreasfihe tensil''strengthI I have found that many-'other desirable characteristics can be introduced or improved in my novel alloyrby theaddition of proper amount's of" other substances without seriously-impai'ri'rig the-- extremely high tensile strength. 20

the-characteristic of the nickel-chromium-mangan'senolybdenurri" ma mentioned above; I have found,"forbiamplefthat 'by' adding from about 2 to 4% by Weightbfsilver to the alloy, the resistance to corrosion by sea Water, and also the malleability. of the alloy, can be markedly "in creased. Substantially. less than silver"fai1s* to -afiord very. great corrosion resistance; and" any substantial excess beyond 4% silverdoe'snot go into solution, and will merely remain present as silver inclusions in thealloy. In many cases, anf'ex'de'ss of as much as about 2% of silver (that is','a-tota1"si'1ver content-of about'6%) 'can beftol erated without"serious adverseeffe'ct use wane inclusions? Another substance "which" it is very" desirable to use whenmaking the alloy, isboron; which' 'is desirable for its highly deoxidiz'ing" properties;

and this is preferably used in the'form'boronic copper. The 'grade'known comm'ercially as No;

4: boronic 'eopper F3 /2 is preferred and its presencecontributes =considerably. to" the: corrosion resistance.

A-furthe'r especially desirable additionis a small amount of aluminumy-for example, in theorder of"1%* by Weight ofthe alloyjwhich' it is desired to add'to the molteri mixture for its dgas'ify'in'gproperties, as well as for'its" attribute of increas:

ingf the corrosion resistance of the finished-alloy to acids." While the aluminum 'may possibly be dispensed with i n semecasee its omission will increasethe risk 0: gas pocket and -b1owh'ole' formatiofl in the alloy; and there will seldom'if ever bear iy "reas'on ior omitting the aluminum.

Such additives" are referred to herein as being not sub'vers'ive of fectively. It goes off as a gas during th melting, carrying other gases off with it. Actually the amount of the aluminum can be increased even beyond 4% without harmful result, but there would be no advantage in doing it, as it would simply increase gas evolution beyond any useful amount. In using up to about 1% aluminum, nearly all of it goes off as gas. Using substantially more than 1% aluminum will leave some aluminum in the alloy, which may have beneficial effect in increasing corrosion resistance.

While the proportions of the various ingredients set forth above should be maintained within the proper limits to provide a suitable alloy, it should be recognized that more or less variation in the relative proportions is permissible, and even desirable for bringing out special properties in the finished product, for particular purposes, as will be more fully set forth hereinbelow.

I have discovered that the proportions of the ingredients may range as follows. Considering an alloy containing only nickel, chromium, manganese and molybdenum, these may range in the following relative proportions, in which the percentages are given by weight, based on the total weight of these four ingredients:

Percent Nickel 69 to 80 Chromium 16 to 25 Manganese 2 to 4 Molybdenum A2 to 2 The following is a typical example of an alloy composition consisting of these four ingredients:

Example I Percent Nickel '74 Chromium 23 Manganese 2 /2 Molybdenum /2 The following two examples show specific variations within the permissible range:

In all these examples, the percentages are given by weight, based on the total weight of the named ingredients. In Example II, the alloy will be more ductile with good fatigue resistance due to the molybdenum content having been increased 1%; the 2% of manganese was found to lower the malleability. In Example III, the alloy will be more malleable and tough, due to the manganese content having been increased by 1 /2%. The 1 /2% increase in molybdenum was found to give higher fatigue resistance, ductility and strength, than in Example I.

As has already been explained, it is preferable to add a small amount of boron, preferably in the form of boronic copper, and also a small amount of aluminum. The addition of aluminum should be in the order of about 1% by weight; and this addition can be made in any of the foregoing three examples, simply by adding in the alloys of these examples an amount of aluminum equal to about one percent by weight, considering the boronic substance, if any, to be present in an amount stated below, and the nickel, chromium, molybdenum and manganese to add up to the balance in the relative proportions given in the above-mentioned range or examples. The aluminum may be added to produce its advanta e regardless of whether the boron or boron compound is present.

When the boron compound is added, as will ordinarily be preferred, this can be added in the form of boronic copper in the order of about 2% by weight, considering the aluminum, if any, to be about 1% by weight, and the nickel, chromium, molybdenum and manganese to add up to the balance, in the relative proportions given in the above-mentioned range or examples.

It is possible to use boron in free form instead of in the form of boronic copper, but the use of free boron will usually be less desirable than the boronic copper because of greater violence of action, and its tendency to produce a glassy hardness of the alloy.

Boronic copper is a well known commodity; it is ordinarily a pure copper, such as electrolytic copper, impregnated with boronic gases. Grade No. 3 Boronic Copper Alloy, which is the preferred grade, is a commercial product. There are several grades of boronic copper, which differ somewhat from each other in the proportion of boron in the copper.

Four boronic-copper alloys were experimented with to determine the relative effectiveness of the several grades; and for this purpose boroniccopper alloys designated as grades #2, #3, #4, F3 /2 and #5 S were used. In this system of grading, the proportion of boron relative to the copper in the alloy increases with the higher numbers. Thus, the #1 grade has the least boron, and the #5 S grade has the most boron.

It was found that when using the #2 grade, there resulted in the finished metal, a considerable number of blow holes and gas pockets, and the fluxing was not as good as in the higher numbered grades, With the use of the #3 grade, boronic-copper alloy, excellent fiuxing was experienced and there were no blow holes or gas pockets in the finished product. When using the #4 boronic copper F3 /z, there was experienced good fluxing and freedom from blow holes and gas pockets; although in this case, the tensile strength of the finished metal was slightly lower than when using the #3 grade boronic copper. When using the #5 boronic-copper alloy S,

there was freedom from blow holes and gas pockets, but considerably more brittleness was present in the finished metal. From this work, it follows that the intermediate grades, #3 and #4 FB /2 will ordinarily be preferred, with the #3 grade having the preference.

As noted above, the addition of silver as an additive will increase the corrosion resistance and the malleability; and the addition of silver may be in an amount of about 2 to 4% by weight based on the weight of the alloys set up in Examples I, II and III. A particularly good amount of silver for a good malleable alloy is about 3% by weight of the alloy, considering the boronic substance and/or aluminum, if any, to be present in amounts stated above, and the nickel, chromium, molybdenum and manganese to add up to the balance in the relative proportions stated in the above range or examples. When the alloy is composed of all these substances, examples of suit Aluminum able relative proportions are as follows; the parts being by weight:

3 Example 1 Example Exam 1e IV -=V VI Percent 5 Percent j Ferment -7l 70 69 19y- 23 1i 2 1 Silver 2 2 2, 4 4 Boronic copper (Grade No. 4,

33%) 3 1 2% Molybdenum 1% 2 Aluminum 2 3 1 1% "The following is a typical example of a relatively soft alloy which I can make according to .my invention:

Example VI I Percent 72 Shot form. 18 Metallic, pea size.

Powderiorin.

Shot form.

Shot for-m.

Powder form.

Tlfiin strips cut up to bits, or shot orm.

Boro-nic copper. Molybdenum S o r v-news:

In all vof the foregoing examples, the nickel, silver and boronic copper may be introduced into the crucible or furnace in shot form; the chromium may be in pea size metallic form; the manganese and molybdenum may be used in powder form and the aluminum may be in the form of thin out up strips or pieces.

The alloy can be made in accordance with the following procedure. I use a furnace, preferably an induction furnace, capable of being raised to a temperature of at least 3000 F.; and I first bring the furnace to a temperature of about 2000 F. I then place in ;the furnace .a crucible containing all of the nickel, chromium and molybdenum which is to be used, and also onehalf of all the boronic copper, when boronic copper is used. I have found that this preheating of the furnace to about 2000 F. before placing in it the crucible containing the ingredients will avoid the low oxidizing temperatures of nickel.

manganese will be added, the mass being again stirred upon this addition.

Where aluminum is used, as is ordinarily preferable to prevent the formation of gas pockets and blow holes in the product, this will be added after the temperature has been maintained for a few minutes at about 2800" F., after the addition of the manganese; and the aluminum will similarly be thoroughly stirred into the liquid mass. After the aluminum has been completely added, the temperature will be allowed to decrease to about 2700 R, whereupon the liquid mass will be poured into molds which have been heated to about 600 F.; and the molds containing the alloy will then be allowed to cool down to room temperature. Such molds can be made of a suitable substance such as cast iron or graphite.

It will be recognized that by my invention, 1 have provided an unusually strong non-ferrous alloy, which by proper use or non-use of the additives can be made soft or ductile, as desired, or on the other hand, can be made relatively hard. Furthermore, the alloy is resistant to acid and corrosion. Moreover, by proper variation of the proportions of the ingredients, it is possible to produce alloys of different grades of hardness, electrical conductivity and ductility. The softer grades of the alloy can be rolled into flats, or other desired shapes, or can be drawn into wire. Furthermore, the alloy can be soft soldered, brass soldered, gold soldered and electrically welded.

I claim:

1. A stainless non-ferrous alloy having the characteristics of higher tensile strength than nickel-chromium alloys and .of resistance to corrosion to acid, alkali, sea Water and corrosive gases, said alloy consisting of nickel, chromium, manganese and molybdenum in the approximate proportions of 69% to by weight of nickel, 16% to 25% by weight of chromium, 2% to 4% by weight of manganese and about to "2% by weight of molybdenum, based on the total weight of the nickel, chromium, manganese .and molybdenum in the alloy, and free of material subversive of said characteristics.

2. A non-ferrous alloy having the characteristics of higher tensile strength than nickel,- chromium alloys and of resistance to corrosion to acid, alkali, sea water and corrosive gases, said alloy consisting of nickel, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, and silver, the nickel being present in an amount of 69% to 80% by weight, the chromium being present in an amount of about 16% to 25% by weight, the

manganese being present in an amount of about 2% to 4% by weight, and the molybdenum being present in amount of about 1 to 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the nickel, chromium, manganese and molybdenum in the alloy, and the silver being present in an amount of about 2% to 6% by weight, based on the total weight ofthe nickel, chromium, manganese, molybdenum and silver.

3. A non-ferrous alloy having the characteristics of higher tensile strength than nickelchromium alloys and of resistance to corrosion to acid, alkali, sea water and corrosive gases, said alloy consisting of nickel, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, and aluminum, the nickel being present in an amount of 69% to 80% by weight, the chromium being present in an amount of about 16% to 25% by weight, the manganese being present in an amount of about 2% to 4% by weight, and the molybdenum being present in an amount of about to 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the nickel, chromium, manganese and molybdenum in the alloy, and the aluminum being present in an amount of approximately 1% by weight based on the total weight of the nickel, chromium, manganese, molybdenum and alumimun.

4. A non-ferrous alloy having the characteristics of higher tensile strength than nickelchromium alloys and of resistance to corrosion to acid, alkali, sea water and corrosive gases, said alloy consisting of nickel, chromium, manganese and molybdenum in the approximate proportions of 69% to 80% by weight of nickel, 16% to 25% by weight of chromium, 2% to 4% by weight of manganese and about /2% to 2% by weight of molybdenum, based on the total a minor but significant amount of boron, and ,free of material subversive of said characteristics.

5. A non-ferrous alloy having the characteristics of higher tensile strength than nickelchromium alloys and of resistance to corrosion to acid, alkali, sea water and corrosive gases, said alloy consisting of nickel, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, silver and boron, the nickel, chromium, manganese and molybdenum being in the approximate relative proportion of 69% to 80% by weight of nickel, 16% to 25% by weight of chromium, 2% to 4% by weight of manganese, to 2% by weight of molybdenum, and the silver being present in an amount of about 2% to 6% by Weight of the total alloy and the boron being present in a minor but significant amount.

6. A non-ferrous alloy having the characteristics of higher tensile strength than nickelchromium alloys and of resistance to corrosion to acid, alkali, sea water and corrosive gases, said alloy consisting of, by weight, about 70% nickel, about 29% chromium, about 2% manganese, about 2 /2% silver, about 1 /2% molybdenum and about 3% aluminum, and such re mainder as may exist being not subversive of said characteristics.

7. A non-ferrous nickel-chromium-manganesemolybdenum metal alloy having the characteristics of higher tensile strength than nickelchromium alloy and being resistant to corrosion by acid, alkali, sea water and corrosive gases, said alloy consisting of nickel in amounts ranging from about 69% to 80% by Weight, chromium in amounts ranging from about 16% to 25% by weight, manganese in amounts ranging from about 2% to 4% by weight, and molybdenum in amounts ranging from about to 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the nickelchromium-manganese and molybdenum in the alloy, such remainder as may exist being not subversive of the said characteristics.

8. A corrosion-resistant, non-ferrous nickelchromium-manganese-molybdenum metal alloy having the characteristics of higher tensile strength than a nickel-chromium alloy, and of being resistant to corrosion by acid, alkali, sea water and corrosive gases, said alloy consisting of nickel in amounts ranging from about 69% to by weight, chromium in amounts ranging from about 16% to 25% by weight, manganese in amounts ranging from about 2% to 4% by weight, and molybdenum in amounts ranging from about /2% to 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the nickel-chromium-manganese and molybdenum in the alloy, the remainder being material not subversive of the said characteristics, including silver in an amount of about 2% to 6% by weight, based on the total weight of the nickel, chromium, manganese, molybdenum and silver.

9. Anon-ferrous nickel-chromium-manganesemolybdenum metal alloy having the characteristics of higher tensile strength than a nickelchromium alloy and of being resistant to corrosion by acid, alkali, sea water and corrosive gases, said alloy consisting of nickel in amounts ranging from about 69% to 80% by weight, chromium in amounts ranging from about 16% to 25% by weight, manganese in amounts ranging from about 2% to 4% by weight, and molybdenum in amounts ranging from about to 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the nickelchromium-manganese and molybdenum in the alloy, the remainder being material not subversive of the said characteristics, including boron in a minor but significant amount MAX GORSCHALKI.

litoferenccs Cited in the file or" this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,115,239 Parr Oct. 27, 1914 1,489,166 Chevenard Apr. 1, 1924 1,572,996 Girin Feb. 16, 1926 2,480,432 Allen Aug. 30, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 26,940 Great Britain 1907 354,765 Great Britain Aug. 12, 1931

Claims

1. A STAINLESS NON-FERROUS ALLOY HAVING THE CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGHER TENSILE STRENGTH THAN NICKEL-CHROMIUM ALLOYS AND OF RESISTANCE TO CORROSION TO ACID, ALKALI, SEA WATER AND CORROSIVE GASES, SAID ALLOY CONSISTING OF NICKEL, CHROMIUM, MANAGANESE AND MOLYBDENUM IN THE APPROXIMATE PROPORTIONS OF 69% BY WEIGHT OF NICKEL, 16% TO 25% BY WEIGHT OF CHROMIUM, 2% TO 4% BY WEIGHT OF MANGANESE AND ABOUT 1/2% BY TO 2% BY WEIGHT OF MOLYBDENUM, BASED ON THE TOTAL WEIGHT OF THE NICKEL, CHROMIUM, MANGANESE AND MOLYBDENUM IN THE ALLOY, AND FREE OF MATERIAL SUBVERSIVE OF SAID CHARACTERISTICS.