Thermal properties of cast nickel based superalloys

Purpose: Evaluation of specific heat and thermal conductivity of nickel based superalloys. Design/methodology/approach: Investigation of thermal conductivity of commercial nickel based superalloys: In 713LC, In 100 and Udimet 700 was performed. Measurements were carried out from 20°C up to 1250°C using the laser flash method. The thermal conductivity was calculated as a function of density, specific heat and thermal diffusivity. Findings: Thermal conductivity of superalloys depends on the chemical composition of alloy and the temperature. Thermal conductivity increases with the increase of the temperature from 9.8 Wm-1K-1 at 23°C to 29.5 Wm-1K-1 at 1197°C for In 713LC. Research limitations/implications: Results can be used to describe the microstructure changes in the material during heat treatment. Practical implications: Thermal conductivity is an important physical property of material which enable to evaluate the usefulness of metallic material to high temperature structural applications. Originality/value: The paper presents the change in thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity and specific heat of cast nickel based superalloy as a function of temperature.