Computer simulation of carburization corrosion of nickel-base superalloys

A computer model for diffusion-controlled internal precipitation was used to simulate the corrosion behavior of Ni-based superalloys in carburizing atmospheres. The model is based on Crank-Nicholson finite difference solution of the diffusion equation. The code also includes the ternary cross diffusion effect due to substitutional alloying elements that are preferentially oxidized. The model can treat two sets of boundary conditions corresponding to the presence or absence of a protective oxide scale. It accounts for internal precipitation of corrosion products whenever thermodynamic solubility limits are exceeded. Up to four different carbides can be treated simultaneously. The solubility product is computed for each reaction and the amount of carbon that reacts is removed from the diffusion process. Under non-protective conditions, the predictions of model were compared to carburization profiles obtained experimentally in H₂-CH₄ environment tests. Results are presented for the formation of Cr, Mo, Ti, W, and Nb carbides in Ni-based superalloys. The predicted corrosion profiles are in qualitative agreement with experimental data.