VDM® Alloy 699 XA, also known as Nicrofer 6830 Al, is a high-temperature nickel-based alloy developed by VDM Metals (a company under ACERINOX). This alloy is designed for exceptional performance in extreme environments, offering excellent resistance to carburization, metal dusting, oxidation, and creep at temperatures up to 1,000°C (1,832°F). Below is a summary of its key characteristics, including chemical composition, properties, equivalent grades, and applications.
Chemical Composition
VDM® Alloy 699 XA has a carefully balanced composition to ensure its high-temperature performance:
- Nickel (Ni): Balance
- Chromium (Cr): 26.0–30.0% (enhances oxidation and carburization resistance)
- Aluminum (Al): 1.9–3.0% (forms a protective alumina layer)
- Iron (Fe): ≤2.5% (low iron content improves metal dusting resistance)
- Manganese (Mn): ≤0.5%
- Silicon (Si): ≤0.5%
- Titanium (Ti): ≤0.6%
- Niobium (Nb): ≤0.6%
- Copper (Cu): ≤0.5%
- Zirconium (Zr): ≤0.1%
- Carbon (C): 0.005–0.1%
- Nitrogen (N): ≤0.05%
- Phosphorus (P): ≤0.000%
- Sulfur (S): ≤0.01%
- Boron (B): ≤0.008%
This composition, as per UNS N06699 and DIN 17742 standards, ensures the alloy’s durability in harsh conditions.
Properties
VDM® Alloy 699 XA exhibits a combination of mechanical, physical, and corrosion-resistant properties:
- Physical Properties:
- Density: 8.02 g/cm³ (0.29 lb/in³) at 20°C.
- Melting Range: 1,370–1,390°C (2,498–2,534°F).
- Thermal Conductivity: Increases from 10.5 W/m·K at 20°C to 26.4 W/m·K at 1,000°C.
- Coefficient of Thermal Expansion: 13.8×10⁻⁶/K at 20°C, rising to 17.9×10⁻⁶/K at 1,000°C.
- Mechanical Properties (Solution-Annealed Condition):
- Yield Strength (R_p0.2): 240 MPa at 20°C, decreasing to 120 MPa at 700°C.
- Tensile Strength (R_m): 610 MPa at 20°C.
- Elongation (A): 40% at 20°C.
- Hardness: 84 HRB.
- Impact Strength (ISO V-notch): ≥70 Joule at 20°C.
- Corrosion Resistance:
- Outstanding resistance to carburization and metal dusting due to high Cr, Al additions, and low Fe content.
- Superior oxidation resistance up to 1,000°C, comparable to VDM® Alloy 602 CA, thanks to a tight, adherent alumina layer.
- Creep Resistance: Matches the performance of VDM® Alloy 601, with a design life of 100,000 hours under statistical creep conditions.
- Workability: Comparable to VDM® Alloy 601, with good weldability in pure argon environments.
Equivalent Grades
VDM® Alloy 699 XA is standardized under:
- UNS: N06699
- DIN: 2.4842 – NiCr30Al
- Applicable standards include DIN 17742, ASTM B166/B168 (for rod, bar, sheet, plate, strip), and ISO 18274 (for welding materials).
Applications
VDM® Alloy 699 XA is widely used in high-temperature applications within the chemical and petrochemical industries, including:
- Reformers: For chemical and petrochemical processes.
- Methanol and Ammonia Synthesis: In production plants requiring high resistance to corrosive gases.
- Hydrogen Production: For components exposed to high temperatures and carburizing environments.
- Syngas Cooling in E-Fuel Production: To handle extreme thermal and chemical stresses.
Conclusion
VDM® Alloy 699 XA is a high-performance alloy tailored for demanding high-temperature environments. Its unique chemical composition ensures excellent resistance to carburization, metal dusting, and oxidation, while its mechanical properties and workability make it a reliable choice for critical applications in the chemical, petrochemical, and energy sectors. With equivalent grades recognized internationally, this alloy is a versatile solution for industries requiring durability and performance under extreme conditions.
Understanding Metal Dusting and the Role of VDM® Alloy 699 XA
What is Metal Dusting?
Metal dusting is a complex form of high-temperature corrosion closely related to carburization, occurring in environments with high carbon activity. Despite over 50 years of research, not all mechanisms of metal dusting are fully understood. This phenomenon typically manifests between 400°C and 800°C, where the material surface experiences localized attacks in the form of troughs or holes. These attacks appear randomly distributed, and nearby, dark grey to black dust-like corrosion products form—hence the term "metal dusting." The risk of metal dusting increases with high carbon concentrations in the process gas or on the material surface, influenced by factors such as gas pressure, flow velocity, and time. The incubation period (time until initial material damage) is extended with higher alloying content of elements like nickel, chromium, aluminum, and silicon.
Mechanisms and Control of Metal Dusting
Metal dusting involves the catalytically controlled decomposition of carbon compounds into elemental carbon, which plays a central role in the corrosion process. Effective control requires action on both the material and process sides to block this catalytic activity, thereby interrupting the reaction chain leading to metal dusting. Recent material advancements, such as VDM® Alloy 699 XA, have significantly extended the incubation period while limiting the depth of damage, offering improved resistance to this form of corrosion.
VDM® Alloy 699 XA: A Solution to Metal Dusting
VDM® Alloy 699 XA (designated as 2.4842/N06699) is a high-temperature nickel-based alloy specifically engineered to combat metal dusting and other forms of high-temperature corrosion. Its key characteristics include:
- Excellent Metal Dusting Resistance: The alloy’s composition, with high levels of nickel, chromium, and aluminum, and low iron content, significantly delays the onset of metal dusting and reduces the severity of localized attacks.
- Creep Resistance: VDM® Alloy 699 XA offers creep resistance comparable to VDM® Alloy 601, ensuring long-term structural integrity under high-temperature stress, with a design life of up to 100,000 hours.
- Good Workability (Welding): The alloy can be easily welded in pure argon environments, making it practical for fabrication in industrial applications.
Conclusion
Metal dusting remains a challenging form of high-temperature corrosion due to its complex mechanisms and random attack patterns. However, advancements in material science, exemplified by VDM® Alloy 699 XA, provide a robust solution. With its excellent resistance to metal dusting, strong creep resistance, and good workability, this alloy is well-suited for demanding applications in industries such as chemical processing, petrochemical production, and syngas-related processes, where high carbon activity and elevated temperatures are prevalent.