An irradiation hardening of Inconel 718 produced by selective laser melting (SLM) was studied based on the microstructural observation and mechanical behavior. Ion irradiation for emulating neutron irradiation has been proposed owing to advantages such as low radiation emission and short experimental periods. To prevent softening caused by the dissolution of ' and '' precipitates due to irradiation, only solution annealing (SA) was performed. SLM SA Inconel 718 specimen was ion irradiated to demonstrate the difference in microstructure and mechanical properties between the irradiated and non-irradiated specimens. After exposing specimens to Fe3+ ions irradiation up to 100 dpa (displacement per atom) at an ambient temperature, the hardness of irradiated specimens was measured by nanoindentation as a function of depth. The depth distribution profile of Fe3+ and dpa were calculated by the Monte Carlo SRIM (Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter)-2013 code under the assumption of the displacement threshold energy of 40 eV. A transmission electron microscope was utilized to observe the formation of irradiation defects such as dislocation loops. This study reveals that the Frank partial dislocation loops induce irradiation hardening of SLM SA Inconel 718 specimens.

The directed energy deposition (DED) process of metal 3D printing technologies has been treated as an effective method for welding, repairing, and even 3-dimensional building of machinery parts. In this study, stainless steel 316L (STS316L) and Inconel 625 (IN625) alloy powders are additively manufactured using the DED process, and the microstructure of the fabricated STS316L/IN625 sample is investigated. In particular, there are no secondary phases in the interface between STS316L and the IN625 alloy. The EDS and Vickers hardness results clearly show compositionally and mechanically transient layers a few tens of micrometers in thickness. Interestingly, several cracks are only observed in the STS 316L rather than in the IN625 alloy near the interface. In addition, small-sized voids 200– 400 nm in diameter that look like trapped pores are present in both materials. The cracks present near the interface are formed by tensile stress in STS316L caused by the difference in the CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion) between the two materials during the DED process. These results can provide fundamental information for the fabrication of machinery parts that require joining of two materials, such as valves.

In order to investigate the low-cycle fatigue behavior of Inconel 718 alloy used for pressure vessels, the strain-controlled fatigue test was performed in the room and high temperatures of 550°C. High temperature test was done using an electric furnace attached on the hydraulic fatigue test system. Tensile strength and elastic modulus of the Inconel 718 alloy at the temperature of 550°C decreased by 8% and 10%, respectively, compared to those at the room temperature. Subjected to the repeated cyclic loading under the strain-control, the material exhibited cyclic softening behavior with decreasing yield strength at both room and high temperatures. The low-cycle fatigue properties determined in this research could be effectively used for the fatigue life estimation of high temperature components made of Inconel 718 alloy.

Material for high-speed airframe are typically selected such that high ablation resistance is maintained on the material surface while high pull-strength is maintained inside the material. However, in case of application to extremely severe condition, the material should have better mechanical properties. Thus, heat treatment or surface treatment is utilized to improve the mechanical properties. This study is conducted as a preliminary research to improve the mechanical properties of vehicle material considering the frictional heat produced during high-speed vehicle is in motion. In this study, Inconel 625 alloy, widely used material for the application of high-speed air vehicle, is ion nitriding processed and then mechanical property test and wear test on this material are conducted consequently. As results, mechanical properties such as tensile strength, yield strength and hardness are increased, and also wear rate is increased at particular condition.

To evaluate the development of the microstructure and mechanical properties on surface modified and post-heat-treated Inconel 718 alloy, this study was carried out. A friction stir process as a surface modification method was employed,and overlap welded Inconel 718 alloy as an experimental material was selected. The friction stir process was carried out ata tool rotation speed of 200 rpm and tool down force of 19.6-39.2kN; post-heat-treatment with two steps was carried out at720oC for 8h and 620oC for 6h in vacuum. To prevent the surface oxidation of the specimen, the method of using argongas as shielding was utilized during the friction stir process. As a result, applying the friction stir process was effective todevelop the grain refinement accompanied by dynamic recrystallization, which resulted in enhanced mechanical properties ascompared to the overlap welded material. Furthermore, the post-heat-treatment after the friction stir process accelerated theformation of precipitates, such as gamma prime (γ') and MC carbides, which led to the significant improvement of mechanicalproperties. Consequently, the microhardness, yield, and tensile strengths of the post-heat-treated material were increased morethan 110%, 124% and 85%, respectively, relative to the overlap welded material. This study systematically examined therelationship between precipitates and mechanical properties.

Inconel 718 alloy has excellent mechanical properties at room temperature, high temperature and cryogenic conditions. UTS of base metal is about 900MPa at room temperature; this is increased up to 1300MPa after heat treatment & aging-hardening. Mechanical properties of Inconel 718 Alloy were similar to those shown in the the results for tensile test; mechanical properties of Inconel 718 alloy's GTAW were similar to those of base metal's properties at room temperature. Mechanical properties at cryogenic conditions were better than those at room temperature. Heat-treated Inconel 718, non- filler metal GTAW on Inconel 718 and GTAW used filler metal on Inconel 718's UTS was 1400MPa at cryogenic condition. As a result, the excellent mechanical properties of Inconel 718 alloy under cryogenic conditions was proved through tensile tests under cryogenic conditions. In addition, weldability of Inconel 718 alloy under cryogenic conditions was superior to that of its base-metal. In this case, UTS of hybrid joint (IS-G) at -100˚C was 900MPa. Consequently, UTS of Inconel 718 alloy is estimated to increase from -100˚C to a specific temperature below -100˚C. Therefore, Inconel 718 alloy is considered a pertinent material for the production of Lox Pipe under cryogenic conditions.

가압 경수로형 원전에 사용되는 Alloy 600 증기발생기 전열관재료의 입계응력부식균열 거동에 미치는 냉간변형의 영향을 1차 냉각수 모사조건에서 정속인장시험방법으로 조사하였다. 인장 냉간변형은 응력부식균열을 크게 가속화 시키지는 않았으며 변형량이 25%이상인 경우에는 응력부식균열이 발생하지 않았다. 이 현상은 냉간 변형량 및 형태에 따른 미소변형 및 응력의 불균질성에 영향을 받는 것으로 사려되며 응력의 크기는 직접적인 영향을 주지 않는 것으로 보인다. 국부적인 큰 응력구배가 존재하는 경우 균열의생성 및 성장이 현저히 가속화되었는데 이는 원전 1차측 응력부식균열 기구가 응력구배에 의존하는 과정과 연관되어 있다는 증거이다. Hump 시편을 이용한 정속인장시험방법은 짧은 실험기간내에 원전 1차측 응력부식균열 특성을 평가할 수 있는 방법이었다.