Cluster formula of Fe-containing Monel alloys with high corrosion-resistance

Abstract

The cluster-plus-glue-atom model is applied in the composition interpretation of Monel alloys. This model considers ideal atomic nearest neighbor configurations among the constituent elements and has been used in understanding compositions of complex alloys like quasicrystals, amorphous alloys, and cupronickels. According to this model, any structure can be expressed by cluster formula [cluster](glue atom) x , x denoting the number of glue atoms matching one cluster. According to this model, two groups of experimental composition series [Fe 1 Ni 12 ]Cu x and [Fe y Ni 12 ]Cu 5 were designed which fell close to conventional Fe-containing Monel alloys. The designed alloys after solution treatment plus water quenching, are monolithic FCC Ni-based solid solutions. Among them, the [Fe 1 Ni 12 ]Cu 5 alloy has the highest corrosion resistance in simulated sea water, and its performance is superior to that of industrial Monel 400 alloy. ►A stable solid solution model is proposed using our “cluster-plus-glue-atom model”. ►This model is used to develop Monel corrosion resistant alloys. ►Single FCC structure is easily retained. ►The alloys show good corrosion properties. ►This work contributes to the general understanding of engineering alloys.