Effect of vacuum degree in VIM furnace on mechanical properties of Ni–Fe–Cr based alloy

Abstract

In order to investigate the effect of the vacuum degree in vacuum induction melting (VIM) furnace on the mechanical properties of Ni–Fe–Cr based alloy, four samples were prepared under different conditions. The chemical analysis results show that under the argon atmosphere, there is more dissipation in Al and Ti, whereas it is reduced by establishing the vacuum atmosphere. The gas analysis results show that the oxygen and nitrogen contents of the samples decrease with increasing vacuum degree. However, there is no dissipation in the gas content of the samples in higher degree of vacuum. In addition, the thermodynamic calculations show that the probability of TiO2 and Al2O3 formation is high due to the small value of the equilibrium oxygen. Higher vacuum degree reduces the tensile and yield strength of the alloys, while it enhances the elongation and reduction of area values due to the lower amount of the inclusions and evaporation of Al and Ti under higher vacuum. On the other hand, increasing vacuum degree changes the fracture mode from brittle to ductile.