These elements are more difficult


to check and detect. It is difficult to establish numerical values for content and they are extremely difficult for the producer of alloying elements to remove. For example, in the 70s there were


several hundred PPM of silver (Ag) found in a nickel base high temperature alloy used for turbine blades in a jet engine. This element reduced the alloy’s high temperature creep rupture strength. Since 1970, CM has worked


hard to control the gas content and other trace elements in its alloys. CM carefully choose the elemental quality used for each alloy produced in their furnaces and since that time they have better equipment to control the analysis which alloys CM to detect extremely low levels of an element. Today, CM is analyzing more than


50 different elements in most of the alloys they produce under the vacuum process.


Detrimental trace elements


can affect mechanical properties, alloy performance castability and weldability. A great deal of research over last 50 years has developed the complexity and the temperature capability of cast superalloys, this has resulted in the increase and variety of single crystal and DS alloys in the industry.


Q A


What are the challenges the industry is facing today?


The main challenge the industry is facing today is the available


vacuum capacity and technical capability to serve the investment casting market. Many existing casting companies


are increasing their melting capacities through the acquisition of new furnaces. There are new casting companies being created in China and in the Middle East. The existing alloy producing capacity may not be adequate to serve all of the varied investment casting markets. Today, most of alloy producers are working very hard to increase the capacities of their existing furnaces.


Q


Cannon Muskegon is a global supplier for the investment


®


casting industry. Can you tell us how this position was achieved in Europe where local competitors are present?


A


Over the past 22 years, CM has invested in installing capacity


with new vacuum alloy furnaces: • V6 5000 lbs. capacity in 1997 • V4 15000 / 16000 lbs. capacity in 1999


• V5 500 lbs. capacity in 2001 • V7 15000/ 16000 lbs. capacity in 2002 In 1995, Cannon understood


that to develop alloy sales activity in Europe, it was necessary to have an office and a warehouse in here. I set up an office which is now located at 29 rue Marbeuf in Paris and established a bonded warehouse which is in the port in Gennevilliers. This AMA office in Paris is able to


address questions from CM’s European customers during normal European business hours. CM is located in the EST of the United States, six hours behind European business hours. CM is shipping weekly several


containers which arrive to our warehouse in Gennevilliers. Material is either redispatched to its final destination or put into stock in our bonded warehouse. At any time, the European customers can be informed about the location of their material. The Paris office and warehouse


work to collect revert from all CM’s European customers. This revert will be used to produce blend heats. All of the revert is collected in our Gennevilliers warehouse and consolidated with other customer revert to be sent to CM. The Paris office has complete visibility and management of the logistics.


Q


Your main dedication is related with study, development and


commercialization of premium cast alloys and superalloys. What can you tell us about the effect of the advance in alloys vs the advance of the investment casting applications? To what extent do the benefits of the jet engines and IGTs of today have been achieved through alloys development and new alloys? What is the outlook for the future in terms of advance alloys vs new applications?


A


The latest flight gas turbines require advanced cast superalloys


for very complex components to operate at higher temperatures and stress.


Examples of structural part


alloys which exceed the 625°C max capability of IN 718 include: • RS 5 (675°C) • Weldable Waspalloy (700°C) • CM 939 Weldable (800°C) • CM 247 LC (Rene ‘108) (1000°C) Castability, (fluidity and resistance


to hot cracking) cleanliness, weldability, microstructure control are critical features. Improved 3rd generation SX alloys


are facilitating increased turbine operating temperatures – including dual wall cooled airfoils. Hot gas temperatures can exceed 1650°C. These alloys include: • CMSX-4 Plus (SLS) • DD9 (BIAM,China) • VGM4 (VIAM, Russia) • VGM5 (VIAM, Russia) • Rene’N-636 Alloy


and component


developments have resulted in flight engines with 15-25% improvement in fuel efficiency and 50% increase in specific power from the same size turbine engine package. Large combined cycle IGTs with


very complex cooled, large 1st stage SX blades now exceed 61% thermal efficiency.


Q A Q


Is your company involved in joint or collaborative research


programmes with OEMs? How does your company understand what are going to be the requirements of the future applications?


Yes, CM has collaborative research programs with OEMs


but the specifics are strictly confidential and I cannot speak about them.


Alloy components are strategical, subject sometimes


to volatility in terms of supply, affected by legal or political issues leading to price variation and availibility. What sort of policies and risk management does your company apply to overcome these issues and ensure the supply to your customers?


May 2019 ❘ 15


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