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粉末冶金铌合金的研究进展

崔子振1,李启军1,梅 恩2,李星宇2,陈 刚2

(1.航天材料及工艺研究所,北京 100076;2.北京科技大学新材料技术研究院,北京 100083)

摘 要:粉末冶金铌合金因其组织均匀、晶粒细小、力学性能优异,是航空航天、国防军工及核工业等领域不可或缺的高温结构材料。本文综述了铌合金粉末制备、成形与烧结、增材制造工艺及其组织性能调控方面的最新进展,重点介绍了氢化-脱氢、等离子旋转电极雾化、电极感应气雾化、电子束雾化法及近球形粉末改性处理等先进粉体制备技术,分析了金属注射成形、热等静压、外场辅助烧结和增材制造粉末冶金铌合金的发展现状,对比了不同合金体系及制备工艺下粉末冶金铌合金的力学性能,指出粉末冶金铌合金未来在低成本粉体高效制备、强韧化新途径、黏结剂辅助3D 打印和高性能复杂构件制备等方面的发展方向。

关键词:粉末冶金铌合金;粉体制备;烧结致密化;增材制造;力学性能

铌是密度最低的难熔金属(密度为8.57 g/cm3),具有高熔点、优异的高温强度和比强度、良好的冷热加工性能、焊接和耐腐蚀性能,在航空航天、国防军工、核工业等领域具有不可替代的作用[1-2]。然而,铌及其合金的传统制备多采用 “铸锭冶金+形变加工”工艺,包括熔炼、铸造、开坯、热加工、冷加工及热处理等工序,存在工艺复杂、材料利用率低、成本高、材料组织粗大及成分偏析等问题,严重限制了铌合金的性能提升和应用拓展[3-4]

近年来,粉末冶金工艺因其独特的优势,在铌合金制备领域受到了广泛关注。与传统工艺相比,粉末冶金技术制备的铌合金具有微观组织均匀、无偏析、晶粒细小等优点,且能够实现复杂构件的近终成形,显著提高材料利用率和生产效率[5-8]。粉末冶金铌合金成分设计主要参照铸锻铌合金,以W、Mo、Hf、Zr、Ta、Ti、C为主要合金元素,其中第二相强化以碳化物强化为主。表1为部分典型铌合金的成分及物理性能。值得注意的是,粉末冶金铌合金的性能高度依赖于粉体质量、成形方法及致密化工艺。不同成形工艺对铌及铌合金粉末的粒径和形貌提出了不同的要求。此外,铌合金对杂质元素(如C、N、O 等)极为敏感,这些杂质会显著降低材料的塑韧性,因此严格控制杂质含量是粉末冶金铌合金制备过程中的关键[9]

表1 典型铌合金的成分及物理性能
Tab.1 Composition and physical properties of typical niobium alloys

Alloy designation Nominal composition/wt.%Density/(g·cm-3)Melting point/℃Coefficient of linear expansion/(×10-6 K-1)Annealing temperature/℃Cb-752Nb-10W-2.5Zr8.83-4.501 023~1 371982~1 093 Fs-85Nb-10W-28Ta-1Zr10.612 5925.001 093~1 3711 010 SCb-291Nb-10W-10Ta9.612 5997.801 316~1 3991 093 D-43Nb-10W-1Zr-0.1C9.032 5934.501 3161 203 C103Nb-10Hf-1Ti-0.7Zr8.862 3494.501 038~1 316871 C-129YNb-10W-10Hf-0.1Y9.502 3994.731 038~1 093982 B-66Nb-5Mo-5V-1Zr8.452 3004.911 203~1 3711 093 Cb-1ZrNb-1Zr8.662 4003.74982~1 203899~982 Nb-521Nb-5W-2Mo-1Zr8.852 4857.401 350~1 5001 200~1 300 Nb-Ti-AlNb-40Ti-7Al<7--880~1 000-Nb-SiNb-5.5Si-1 916--1 500 Recrystallization temperature/℃

本文系统综述了铌及铌合金粉末的制备方法、成形与烧结致密化工艺、增材制造工艺,对比分析了不同成分和工艺对铌合金微观组织及力学性能的影响,进一步探讨了粉末冶金铌合金的研究方向及未来发展趋势,为高性能粉末冶金铌合金的开发和应用提供理论和技术参考。

1 铌及铌合金粉末制备工艺

铌及铌合金因其高熔点(2 460 ℃)和高反应活性,使得高品质粉末制备成为制约其粉末冶金工艺推广应用的一大技术瓶颈。目前,铌合金粉末的制备主要采用氢化-脱氢法、等离子旋转电极雾化法、电极感应气雾化法及电子束雾化法等技术。然而,这些方法在实现高纯度、高粒度均匀性、低成本及大批量铌合金粉末制备等方面仍面临诸多挑战,亟需进一步突破。

1.1 氢化-脱氢法

氢化-脱氢法(hydrogenation-dehydrogenation,HDH)是一种低成本、批量化制备铌合金粉体的重要方法,其基本原理是利用金属铌在吸氢和脱氢过程中力学性质的显著变化实现粉末制备,主要包括氢化、制粉及脱氢3 个步骤。①是铌的氢化,将低纯度的铌粉制成铌锭或铌棒,分割成小块后在氢气气氛下于400~800 ℃加热渗氢(Nb+1/2x H2⇌NbHx),通过调节反应温度及氢气分压能够控制金属的吸氢和脱氢反应[10]。氢化反应速率取决于氢原子对金属的渗透速率[10]。金属表面氧化膜会抑制氢原子扩散,降低氢化效率,因此在氢化前需要对金属块进行酸洗去除氧化膜以提高反应速率。在氢化反应中温度对反应速率的影响最大,氢气分压次之,而氢化时间影响最小[11-12]。②是制粉,利用破碎、粉化设备将块状氢化铌在惰性气体保护下进行破碎、分级,得到氢化铌粉末。③是去氢,氢化物粉末进行高真空加热脱氢处理即可获得最终粉体。Gabriel 等[13]对氢化铌脱氢过程进行研究,发现氢化铌在380℃开始发生分解,且升温速率对脱氢速率具有重要影响,高的加热速率能够降低氢化铌完全分解温度,促进氢化物分解。由于脆性氢化物倾向于沿解理面或晶界破裂,使得氢化-脱氢所制备的铌合金粉末颗粒呈现不规则多边形(图1a)。目前,该工艺已成功应用于Nb[10,14]、Nb-Si[12,15]、Nb-Ti[16]、Nb-Ta[17]等多种铌合金粉体的制备。

图1 不同工艺制备铌合金粉末形貌:(a)氢化-脱氢;(b)等离子旋转电极雾化;(c)电极感应气雾化;(d)流化改性处理;(e)气流磨处理[20,22,25-26]
Fig.1 Morphology of niobium alloy powders prepared via different processes:(a)HDH;(b)PREP;(c)EIGA;(d)fluidization modification treatment;(e)JM[20,22,25-26]

然而,氢化-脱氢铌合金粉体存在杂质氧及非金属夹杂含量较高等问题[12,16]。粉体氧含量的控制是制备高品质氢化-脱氢粉末的关键,需要进一步研究氢化-脱氢工艺中氧含量控制机制,降低粉末氧含量。粉末中的杂质含量受原料及工艺流程的共同影响。使用电子束精炼高纯度铌锭替代碳热还原铌条,能够将粉末中的氧含量降低至0.146%[11]。为了获得高纯铌合金粉末,德国H.C.Starck 公司使用Ca、Mg 等活泼金属与氢化铌、氢化钽混合加热脱氢降氧,制备得到含氧量低于300 ug/g 的铌粉,但这会导致粉末中金属杂质含量偏高。马海燕等[14]在此基础上使用Mg 蒸汽对脱氢过程降氧,有效降低了粉末中的氧含量及金属杂质含量。宁夏东方钽业股份有限公司开发出了氢化-脱氢铌合金粉末批量化制备全流程降氧提纯技术,生产的Nb 粉纯度达到99.9%[10]

1.2 等离子旋转电极雾化法

等离子旋转电极雾化法(plasma rotating electrode process,PREP)是将铌锭加工成棒状自耗电极,高速旋转的电极棒料端面被等离子弧熔化,形成熔融液膜,熔融金属在高速旋转离心力作用下破碎成微小液滴,并在冷却介质(真空、Ar 或He)中快速凝固成球形颗粒[18]。如图1b 所示,PREP 粉末球形度高、孔隙率低,但是粉末较粗(几十到几百微米),细粉产率较低[18-19]。通过提高电极旋转速率,增大旋转电极直径,调节等离子电流改变金属熔化速率、控制气流扰动熔融金属液体等方法有望进一步提高细粉产率。Li 等[20]使用PREP 法制备了粒度为30~165 μm的Nb-Ti 合金粉末,随着粉末颗粒尺寸的降低及冷却速率的增大使得显微组织结构从枝晶转变为胞晶。Mikler 等[6]使用PREP 法制备了粒度为50~500 μm的C103 合金粉末,几乎没有行星粉存在。等离子旋转电极法制备的铌合金粉末间隙夹杂物较少,纯度较高,但生产成本较高。

1.3 电极感应气雾化法

电极感应气雾化法(electrode induction gas atomization,EIGA)采用非接触式感应熔化金属棒,通过惰性气流破碎金属液,液滴冷却凝固得到近球形粉末[21]。使用电极感应熔融金属解决了金属熔体与陶瓷坩埚接触污染难题,能够制备高纯度铌合金粉末[22-24]。ALD 公司使用EIGA 制备Nb 合金粉末,粉末堆积密度高,达到理论密度的69%,且细粉产率高于PREP工艺,粒径小于45 μm 的粉末颗粒占比达到15%以上[22,24]。此外,EIGA 工艺在高冷却速率和低熔体流量协同作用下,与传统气雾化工艺相比,粉末团聚少,流动性更优异(图1c)[22]。但目前EIGA 工艺主要集中在制备低熔点Nb 合金粉末,对于添加W、Mo 等元素的高熔点Nb 合金未见报道,未来需进一步提高EIGA 的使用上限。

1.4 电子束雾化法

电子束雾化法(electron beam atomization,EBA)将电子束熔炼与离心雾化相结合,是获取高纯铌合金粉末的有效途径。其原理是在真空条件下使用高能电子束熔化金属铌锭,金属液滴落于快速旋转的水冷铜盘上,旋转盘将金属液滴抛开。液滴由于表面张力的作用呈球形,在与容器壁的碰撞中迅速冷却,得到球形粉末。除真空条件外,铌粉也可以在He 或Ar 气氛下制备,且在气氛中的冷却速率大于真空条件,粉末粒径更加细小。Hebsur 等[5]使用EBA 法制备出粒度为63 μm 的球形WC-3009 合金粉末。通过调整电子束能量及旋转速度,能够对粒度分布进行小范围调整。

1.5 近球形粉末改性处理

铌合金因其高熔点特性,使得传统雾化工艺难以高效、低成本地制备微细(粒径低于45 μm)球形粉末,严重制约了高性能铌合金制品在增材制造领域的发展与应用。为了突破这一瓶颈,流化改性处理(fluidization modification treatment) 与气流磨(jet milling,JM)处理作为近球形粉末形貌改性的关键技术,被广泛应用于低成本氢化-脱氢铌合金粉末的表面改性。

粉末流化改性技术在流化床反应器内进行,通过高温(450~900 ℃)及高速气流(2~8 L/min 高纯氩气)条件,对不规则形状粉末进行近球形流化改性。这一技术具有低成本、高效率的特点。其改性机理主要包括:①粉末颗粒在高速气流中发生碰撞和摩擦,产生巨大的冲击力和剪切力,使粉末的尖锐部位发生塑性变形,从而消除不规则粉末的表面棱角;②细粒径粉末与粗粉碰撞后黏附于粗粉表面,有效减少超细粉末的比例,最终获得粒度分布较窄的近球形粉末。因此,流化改性处理不仅显著改善粉末的球形度,还能优化其粒度分布,从而大幅提升粉末的流动性。以氢化脱氢Nb521 合金粉末为例,处理前粉末形貌不规则且细粒径粉末(<10 μm)占比较高。经过流化改性处理后(图1d),粉末的粒径分布明显窄化,球形度显著提高,流动性指数可达66,同时杂质含量得到有效控制[25]

气流磨技术利用高速气流对粉体进行粉碎整形和分级处理。其工作原理是,将粉末颗粒在高速气流中加速,通过颗粒之间的碰撞、摩擦以及与磨腔内壁的碰撞,实现粉体的粉碎细化和整形;同时,借助气流分级装置对粉碎后的粉体进行分级,从而得到粒度分布较窄的近球形粉末。如图1e 所示,经过气流磨处理的氢化-脱氢Nb-521 合金粉末呈现出近球形特征,完全满足增材制造对粉末高流动性的要求,并且室温处理能够有效避免粉末氧化[26-27]

总之,雾化法制备的铌及铌合金粉末球形度高,但存在制造成本高、细粉收得率低的问题;相比于雾化法,流化改性和气流磨技术在制备近球形铌合金粉末方面具有低成本、工艺简单、杂质可控的独特优势,处理粉末能基本满足铌合金3D 打印和注射成形的技术要求。

2 铌及铌合金粉末成形及烧结致密化工艺

2.1 金属注射成形

金属注射成形(metal injection molding,MIM)技术在解决小型复杂铌合金构件制备难题方面具有独特优势。该技术具有大规模、高效率制备复杂形状产品的能力,同时保证产品的组织结构均匀性和高尺寸精度。其工艺流程主要包括:首先将原料粉末与黏结剂混合,随后在注射成形机上以黏结剂为流动载体实现充模成形,再通过溶剂脱脂或热脱脂工艺去除成形坯中的黏结剂,最后经烧结致密化及后续热处理得到近终形零件。

Aggarwal 等[28-29]以7 μm 左右不规则形状铌粉为原料进行MIM 成形。在2 000 ℃烧结条件下成功制备出组织均匀的纯铌制品,其致密度达到98%,碳含量控制在2×10-2%,氧含量为3×10-2%。值得注意的是,烧结过程中对杂质氧含量的控制至关重要,过高的氧含量会显著降低铌合金塑韧性。研究发现,铌及铌合金坯体脱脂后在高真空气氛中进行烧结时,NbO 和NbO2 的气化逸出能有效降低烧结体中的氧含量[30-31]。具体而言,在1 800 ℃以下烧结时,C 与O反应逸出;当温度高于1 800 ℃时,NbO 和NbO2发生汽化,使氧含量从2 000 ug/g 降至500 ug/g[31]。Sandim 等[30]以采用HDH 工艺制备的铌粉(粉末氧含量为6 200 ug/g)为原料,经2 000 ℃/3 h 真空烧结后使坯体氧含量降低至500 ug/g。然而,当烧结温度高于1 800 ℃时,晶界迁移率增大导致晶粒显著长大,特别是在1 900 ℃以上时,会出现晶粒异常长大现象。

德国Mulser 等[32-34]的研究则聚焦于Nb-Si合金的制备。他们分别采用球磨粉末和EIGA 粉末为原料,经1 525 ℃烧结制备出Nb-Si 合金(Nb-20Si-23Ti-4Hf-3Cr-6Al,原子分数/%)。研究表明,球磨粉末(<45 μm)烧结样品相对密度达到99.1%,经HIP 处理后进一步提升至99.4%;而EIGA 粉末(<25 μm)制品相对密度为98.5%,HIP 处理后达到99.2%[32]。值得注意的是,使用球磨合金化粉末代替球形粉末不仅能够充分发挥MIM 工艺的低成本优势,而且球磨合金化得到的高活性粉体还能有效促进烧结过程[35-36]

2.2 热等静压

热等静压(hot isostatic pressing,HIP)技术是指在密闭环境中,粉末在高压流体的静压力作用下在同一时间内各方向上均衡受压而形成密度分布均匀和强度较高的压坯的成形技术。热等静压工艺在复杂形状结构制品的高致密化方面具有独特优势,常用于C103(Nb-10Hf-1Ti)和WC-3009(Nb-30Hf-9W)等难烧结合金粉末的高致密化成形[6-7,37-39]。热等静压工艺对成形件致密化具有重要影响,在低温高压和高温低压状态下,粉末热激活扩散及塑性变形不充分导致烧结不致密,只有在高温高压状态下粉末致密化过程才能完成,得到接近完全致密的成形件。图2显示了热等静压态纯Nb、C103 及WC-3009 合金的微观组织[6-7],样品基本没有气孔,且具有均匀的等轴晶结构。将EBA 法制成的WC-3009 球形粉末进行热等静压,不但可以省去冷、热加工工序,而且制备的合金消除了铸锭组织的偏析,力学性能基本达到铸锻件水平。如表2 所示,HIP 铌合金展现出优异的力学性能[6-7,39]。Wadsworth 等[39]使用HDH 粉末制备HIPC103 合金,室温屈服强度、抗拉强度分别达到430、530 MPa,高于锻造态C103 合金(~311 MPa),但是伸长率(~26%)低于锻造制品(~40%)。Mikler[6]报道了采用HIP 制备的C103 合金室温屈服强度为392 MPa,优于商业C103 合金(~359 MPa),高温蠕变性能与锻造C103 合金相当[39]。可见,HIP 在制备高密度、高性能铌合金方面具有显著优势。

图2 热等静压成形不同铌合金的典型微观组织:(a)Nb;(b)C103;(c)WC-3009[6-7]
Fig.2 Microstructural morphology of different niobium alloys formed by HIP:(a)Nb;(b)C103;(c)WC-3009[6-7]

表2 粉末冶金铌合金室温拉伸力学性能
Tab.2 Tensile mechanical properties of P/M niobium alloys at room temperature

AlloyDensification processPowderYield strength/MPaUltimate tensile strength/MPaElongation/%Ref.NbHIPHDH14328848[7]HIPHDH282--[40]PREP285--HIPHDH43053026[39]HIPPREP378-3.2[6]WC-3009HPEBA-83015[5]C103

2.3 外场辅助烧结技术

外场辅助烧结技术(field-assisted sintering technology, FAST)通过施加外部物理场(如电场、压力等)加速材料的烧结过程,例如热压、放电等离子体烧结(spark plasma sintering,SPS)等,具有低温、短时加工的特点。该技术对于难烧结的Nb-Si 基和Nb-Al基复合材料的致密化成形具有独特优势。热压工艺通过高温高压促进Nb-16Si 合金原位合成,调控球磨时间细化粉末并增加Si 固溶度,可使烧结组织从长条状转变为近等轴状(图3a),硬度达10.68 GPa,断裂韧性为10.98 MPa·m1/2,较铸锭合金提高约103%[41-43]。热压烧结温度为1 500 ℃时即可制备出相对密度高达99%的Nb-16Si 合金[44]。放电等离子体烧结利用脉冲电流实现低温快速致密化,使铌的烧结温度较传统无压烧结温度降低近1 000 ℃[30-31]。SPS 过程中合金的相组成对烧结温度较敏感,因为脉冲电流诱导粉体颗粒表面熔化,促进强烈的界面反应,形成Nb5Si3 相包裹Nb、Si 颗粒的岛状结构,且随Si 含量增加,液相烧结强化,未反应Nb 颗粒减小(图3b)[45-49]。1 500 ℃时亚稳相Nb3Si 消失,形成Nb\Nb5Si3 双相结构,相对密度达99.59%[50]

图3 不同外场辅助烧结技术成形Nb-Si 合金的典型微观组织:(a)热压;(b)放电等离子烧结[42,50]
Fig.3 Microstructures of the Nb-Si alloys formed via different field assisted sintering techniques:(a)HP;(b)SPS[42,50]

热压工艺成形铌合金具有两种典型微观组织[66-68]:①由于烧结过程中β-Nbss 相与σ-Nb2Al 相反应生成δ-Nb3Al 相,使得β-Nbss 呈岛状分布在连续δ-Nb3Al 相中;②δ-Nb3Al 相从过饱和固溶体β-Nbss相中呈柱状组织析出,使得β-Nbss 相与δ-Nb3Al 相片层状间隔连续分布,呈现更优异的力学性能。协同调控微观组织和相组成是提高热压Nb-Si 基复合材料力学性能最有效的方法。采用预混Nb/Nb5Si3 粉末,控制粒径分布,形成连续韧性基体结构,并结合细化晶粒下位错激活机制使材料断裂韧性提升至15.8 MPa·m1/2[52-53]。构建韧性相β-Nbss 与硬质相的梯度异质层状结构可有效提高材料韧性,具有梯度结构的热压Nb-Si 断裂韧性达14.89 MPa·m1/2[51]。在合金设计和相组成调控方面,添加Ti、Fe 元素可诱导亚稳相转变从而提升材料韧塑性。Wang 等[54]在Nb-16Si 合金中添加Ti 元素,抑制Nb3Si 相生成,获得长条状Nbss 组织,使断裂韧性达到16.3 MPa·m1/2。喻吉良等[55-57]采用热压工艺制备的Nb-16Si-2Fe 合金显示出超塑性,Fe 元素促进生成液相Nb4Fe3Si5协调晶界滑移而提升合金力学性能。研究证明Ti、Al、Cr 等元素能有效细化铌合金晶粒尺寸(1~2 μm),激活a/2<111>位错,使断裂韧性增加至18.4 MPa·m1/2[8,58]。此外,添加W、Mo 及碳纤维、碳纳米管进行反应烧结,能够显著提升Nb-Si 基复合材料的高温力学性能[49,59-65]

3 铌及铌合金增材制造工艺

近年来,增材制造(additive manufacturing,AM)技术为铌及铌合金的高效、精密加工开辟了全新途径,可实现高精度薄壁、多孔或梯度结构、轻量化蜂窝结构等拓扑优化铌合金的近终成形,提升部件热力学性能与功能性。目前,激光粉末床熔融、电子束粉末床熔融、激光定向能量沉积及黏结剂喷射成形等技术在制备铌及铌合金方面均有报道。

3.1 激光粉末床熔融

激光粉末床熔融(laser powder bed fusion,L-PBF)技术是一种基于高能激光束融合金属粉末的增材制造技术。其基本流程为:在惰性气体保护下,将金属粉末均匀铺展在基板上,激光束根据三维模型切片数据选择性扫描熔化粉末层,逐层堆积形成致密三维零件。使用L-PBF 成形铌及铌合金构件展现出优异的成形精度与表面质量控制[69-71]。在高温度梯度(106~107 K/m)和高冷却速率(105~107 K/s)作用下,L-PBF Nb521 合金展现超细柱状晶(图4b)、高密度位错、高体积分数小角度晶界及位错胞状结构等独特微观结构,赋予材料优异的力学性能。Liu 等[9]采用L-PBF 成形金属铌,成形件呈现强<111> 织构,高位错密度及高比例小角度晶界,使其屈服和抗拉强度分别达到553、639 MPa,伸长率为26%。Awasthi等[72]使用L-PBF 成形C103 合金,成形件呈现强<100>织构,在高密度位错及位错胞状亚结构的协同作用下,合金具有比锻造态优异的室温强度,但由于内部微孔缺陷使得伸长率偏低(~19%)。L-PBF 成形金属铌结构件对氧含量十分敏感,当氧含量(质量分数)从0.05%增至0.23%,伸长率骤降至1.7%,表明杂质氧显著恶化金属铌的韧塑性[9]。针对该问题,可在铌合金中加入Zr 元素,既利用Zr 吸氧而产生净化作用,还能捕获游离氧形成ZrO2 强化相,从而显著提升铌合金的力学性能[73]。Chen 等[26-27]采用L-PBF 成形方法制备出Nb-521 合金,利用原位形成ZrO2 粒子显著提高了合金的强塑性,制备的Nb-521 合金抗拉强度达到629 MPa,伸长率达17.8%。

图4 不同增材制造工艺成形铌合金典型微观组织:(a)EBM Nb;(b)L-PBF Nb521;(c)L-DED Nb-17Si-23Ti[73-75]
Fig.4 Microstructures of the Nb alloys formed via different additive manufacturing techniques:(a)EBM Nb;(b)L-PBF Nb521;(c)L-DED Nb-17Si-23Ti[73-75]

3.2 电子束粉末床熔融

电子束粉末床熔融(electron beam powder bed fusion,EB-PBF)技术与激光粉末床熔融技术具有相似的工艺流程,EB-PBF 可在高真空环境下使用高能电子束作为能量源。图4为不同增材制造工艺成形铌合金典型微观组织[73-75]。与L-PBF 相比,EB-PBF具有成形效率高、杂质氧含量低、能量输入密度高、粉末床预热温度高、温度梯度低(105~106 K/m)、冷却速率慢(103~105 K/m)等特点,因此,EB-PBF 制备的铌合金热应力小,位错密度低。Terrazas 等[74]采用EB-PBF 成功制备出力学性能优于传统铸锻件的新一代金属铌超导射频腔。此外,高电子束能量密度和高的粉末床温度使得合金柱状晶显著粗化,因此EB-PBF 铌合金晶粒尺寸大于L-PBF 合金(图4a),材料强度较低。李会霞等[19]使用EB-PBF 成形Nb-521合金,晶粒沿(200)晶面择尤生长,形成粗大柱状晶,并伴有弥散Nb2C、ZrC 颗粒生成,这是由于逐层打印过程中合金受到循环加热处理,促进碳化物沉淀析出。Yang 等[77]研究了EB-PBF 成形Nb-521 过程中碳化物沉淀析出行为,发现长棒状Nb2C 和点状(Nb,Zr)C、Nb2C 碳化物在晶界和晶内均匀分布,随着打印进行,在热循环作用下,晶界碳化物的形态由链条装转变为点状,晶内棒状碳化物破碎分解,呈球形均匀分布。

表3 主要总结了L-PBF 和EB-PBF 制备铌合金的力学性能对比,可以看出L-PBF 铌合金的强度较高而韧塑性较低,而EB-PBF 铌合金的强度较低而韧塑性较高,这是由两者的技术特点决定的。一方面,两者的熔融温度和冷却速率不同,L-PBF 具有高温度梯度和高冷却速率的特点,所制备的样品晶粒细小,位错密度高,有利于提高铌合金的强度,而EB-PBF 温度梯度和冷却速率较低,样品晶粒粗大,材料强度较低;另一方面,L-PBF 对杂质氧较敏感,氧含量控制难,导致材料的韧塑性较差,而EB-PBF可在高真空环境进行,降低了氧对材料韧塑性的恶化作用。

表3 增材制造铌合金室温拉伸性能
Tab.3 Tensile properties of AM niobium alloys at room temperature

Note:(1)RFPS:radio frequency plasma spherification

AlloyPowderForming processYield strength/MPaUltimate tensile strength/MPaElongation/%Ref.Nb HDHL-PBF55363926[9]EIGAL-PBF52532416[71]PREPEB-PBF14122534.25[74]HDH+JML-PBF+HIP529.6678.75.91[26]L-PBF395628.717.8[27]Nb-521 531.8622.89.1 PREPL-PBF 546.3623.47.4 541.5624.68.4 PREPE-PBF30738416.5[19][73]L-PBF560.43-16.67 C103RFPS(1)L-PBF410.5-20.79 L-PBF+HIP452.46-18.88 EIGAL-PBF54059519[72][69]

3.3 激光定向能量沉积

激光定向能量沉积(laser directed energy deposition, L-DED)基于高能激光束熔融和同轴/侧向送粉,通过逐层沉积成形三维结构件,适合于多材料(如Nb-Si)的原位复合成形。激光功率是影响成形件质量的关键工艺参数。激光功率过低会导致粉末熔化不完全,使成形件致密化不完全、表面粗糙及晶粒粗大;而过高功率会导致球化和元素烧损,影响成形质量[78-80]。在L-DED 制备Nb-Si 合金过程中,由于L-DED 的快速非平衡凝固特性,会抑制Nb3Si→Nbss+Nb5Si3 反应,使室温组织主要由Nbss 和Nb3Si两相组成Si 含量较高时会析出少量Nb5Si3 相。刘伟等[81]研究了Si 元素含量对L-DED 制备Nb-Si 合金显微组织演变的影响,随着Si 含量从7%(原子分数,下同)增至12%,组织由Nbss 和Nb3Si 转变为初生Nbss 和Nbss/Nb3Si 共晶组织;当Si 含量达到18%时,呈现全共晶组织;Si 含量增至25%时,则形成β-Nb5Si3和Nbss/Nb3Si 共晶组织。如图4c 所示,L-DED 成形的Nb-17Si-23Ti(质量分数,%)合金表现出明显的择尤取向,Nbss 与(Nb,Ti)3Si 相分别具有<100> 和<110> 织构,枝晶臂间距约为1~2 μm,较定向凝固小1 个数量级,材料断裂韧性达到20.3 MPa·m1/2[75]。合金元素的添加对L-DED 成形Nb-Si 合金具有显著影响。Li 等[82]研究了合金元素对L-DED 制备Nb-Si合金组织性能的影响规律,发现添加Zr 元素能够促进Nb3Si 向γ-Nb5Si3 的转变,提高合金的室温断裂韧性;添加Mo 元素能够稳定β-Nb5Si3 相,提高合金高温强度[83]

3.4 黏结剂喷射成形

黏结剂喷射成形(binder jetting,BJ)是一种基于粉末床的间接增材制造技术,通过黏结剂的融化-固化完成成形,然后通过脱脂、烧结致密化完成零部件制备,其成形工作原理如图5 所示[84]。关键工艺流程包括粉末铺展-黏结剂微滴喷射-逐层堆叠-黏结剂固化脱粉-脱脂烧结。黏结剂喷射成形与激光/电子束粉末床熔融技术相比具有①成形效率高,具备规模化生产潜力;②材料兼容性强,具备多材料多尺度结构调控能力;③室温成形,无需高温熔融,能耗低,避免材料氧化及热裂纹的问题;④成形件几何自由度高,无需支撑,突破传统悬垂结构设计限制;⑤具有与MIM 相似脱脂、烧结致密化过程,避免了凝固组织的各向异性问题。Liu 等[84]已使用BJ 技术制备出高性能难熔金属多孔结构件。Goncharov 等[85]使用BJ 成形Nb-Si 合金,成形件经1 460 ℃烧结,使成形件内部Si 熔化产生液相烧结促进致密化,且组织呈现类似传统粉末冶金制品的等轴晶结构。因此,黏结剂喷射成形能有效避免传统3D 打印构件热裂纹和各向异性问题,该技术在铌及铌合金制造领域仍处于探索阶段,是铌合金增材制造领域的重要发展方向之一。

图5 黏结剂喷射成形原理示意图:(a)黏结剂喷射成形;(b)固化;(c)脱脂和烧结[84]
Fig.5 Process diagram for binder jetting:(a)binder jet printing;(b)curing;(c)debinding and sintering[84]

4 总结与展望

粉末冶金铌合金是一类具有重要应用价值的关键高温结构材料,由于熔点高、活性大等原因,其制备技术难度大,为了进一步推动粉末冶金铌合金发展,仍需要从高品质粉体高效制备、金属及非金属夹杂控制、新的成形工艺和低成本制备技术等方面开展相关基础和应用研究。

(1)开发氢化-脱氢、近球形粉体改性、返回料粉体利用等低成本、短流程粉体制备新技术,探索粉体制备过程粒径和形貌控制、氧含量控制新方法。

(2)热等静压是制备高性能粉末冶金铌合金最有效的途径,需要进一步在计算机辅助热等静压包套设计及材料利用率的提升方向深入研究,推动粉末冶金铌合金的工程应用。

(3)开发粉末冶金铌合金的强韧化新途径,探索第二相强化在提高合金高温力学性能方面的作用。对于烧结态呈脆性的Nb-Si、Nb-Al 基合金,其断裂韧性还无法满足当前航空结构件要求,需深入研究。

(4)开发粉末冶金铌合金的近终成形新技术。黏结剂辅助3D 打印技术通过黏结剂的融化-固化完成成形,然后通过与粉末注射成形类似的脱脂、烧结致密化过程完成零部件的制备,不存在热应力开裂和凝固组织的各向异性问题,且成形效率显著提高,是粉末冶金铌合金发展的重要方向。

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Research Progress on Niobium Alloys Prepared via Powder Metallurgy

CUI Zizhen1,LI Qijun1,MEI En2,LI Xingyu2,CHEN Gang2
(1. Aerospace Research Institute of Material & Processing Technology,Beijing 100076; 2. Institute for Advanced Materials and Technology,University of Science and Technology Beijing,Beijing 100083,China)

Abstract: Powder metallurgy niobium alloys, which are characterized by their homogeneous microstructure, fine-grained structure, and superior mechanical properties, serve as critical high-temperature structural materials in the aerospace,defense, and nuclear industries. This paper systematically reviews recent advances in the preparation of niobium alloy powders, forming and sintering densification processes, additive manufacturing techniques, and microstructure-property optimization. Special emphasis is placed on state-of-the-art powder preparation technologies, including the hydrogenation-dehydrogenation process, plasma rotating electrode process, electrode induction gas atomization, electron beam atomization, and near-spherical powder modification techniques. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis of current developments in forming and densification methods such as metal injection molding, hot isostatic pressing, field-assisted sintering technology, and additive manufacturing is provided. By comparing the mechanical properties of powder metallurgy niobium alloys under diverse alloy systems and processing routes, this study elucidates the intrinsic relationships among processing parameters, microstructure evolution, and performance outcomes. Finally, future research directions are proposed, encompassing cost-effective high-efficiency powder synthesis, novel strategies for strength-toughness synergy,optimization of binder-assisted 3D printing processes, and breakthroughs in manufacturing technologies for high-performance complex components.

Key words: powder metallurgy niobium alloy; powder preparation; sintering densification; additive manufacturing;mechanical property

中图分类号:TB36;TF125

文献标识码:A

文章编号:1000-8365(2025)03-0203-12

DOI:10.16410/j.issn1000-8365.2025.5015

收稿日期:2025-01-26

基金项目:国家自然科学基金(52474387,52374366);博士后创新人才支持计划(BX20230043)

作者简介:崔子振,1985 年生,高级工程师.主要从事难熔金属靶材研究方面的工作.Email:cuizzhcalt@sina.com

通信作者:李星宇,1995 年生,特聘副研究员.研究方向为难熔金属.Email:lixy@ustb.edu.cn

引用格式:崔子振,李启军,梅恩,李星宇,陈刚.粉末冶金铌合金的研究进展[J].铸造技术,2025,46(3):203-214.

CUI Z Z, LI Q J, MEI E, LI X Y, CHEN G. Research progress on niobium alloys prepared via powder metallurgy[J].Foundry Technology,2025,46(3):203-214.