Rene 65 was developed as a nickel-base, gamma prime strengthened, aerospace turbine disk superalloy to provide increased temperature capability compared to direct age (DA) 718 and bridge the performance and cost gap between traditional cast and wrought alloys and powder alloys. A full scale development program was successfully executed to define a robust processing window resulting in successful production introduction of the alloy. Conventional hot die forging, over a wide range of strain rate processes, has been demonstrated as well as successful ring rolling. Optimized heat treatment processing has resulted in approximately 90oC temperature capability increase over DA718 with excellent fatigue and damage tolerance capability. This paper presents results for alloy development, forge processing, heat treatment, microstructure characterization and mechanical property assessment.

ATI Specialty Materials has collaborated with General Electric Aviation in the development of Rene 65, a highly alloyed gamma-prime strengthened nickel-base superalloy produced using advanced ingot metallurgy practices to develop a uniform fine-grain microstructure for disk and ring applications. This paper addresses the key product characteristics o f Rene 65 billet including grain structure, thermal response and microcleanliness. Billet hot workability is presented as well as ultrasonic capability of the billet.