New materials enable unprecedented improvement in turbine performance

The power industry is poised to make the biggest leap in steam turbine efficiency in over 100 years by moving to new superalloys tailored for the application. Previous component size barriers have been eliminated by crafting components that fit existing aero superalloy-production facilities. Un-certainty associated with unvalidated superalloy-Figto-steel welds is avoided by using a strategy that does not require welds in rotating components. Alloy property levels at operating temperatures up to 1400°F match properties achieved in standard materials for established lower temperature configurations, eliminating pressure to compromise traditional safety margins. Use of new high-temperature materials in advanced ultrasupercritical steam turbines will benefit the world through reduced use of critical fuels, corresponding reduction in.