This paper presents the results of structural phase analysis of MAR-M247 superalloy. Analysis was performed at initial and in as casted state after various type of solution annealing in the range 900 °C to 1240 °C with cooling in water. Presented polycrystalline alloy is heat resisting nickel superalloy, especially usable for highly strained components in the industry producing stationary gas turbines and aircraft engines. Analysis was performed using of a Quanta FEG 450 scanning electron microscope with micro-analytic system Trident APEX-4 which have identified presented minor phase. Attention was also paid to its eventual changes after different type of solution annealing.

Significant structural steels for nuclear power engineering are chromium-nickel austenitic stainless steels. The presented paper evaluates the kinetics of the fatigue crack growth of AISI 304L and AISI 316L stainless steels in air and in corrosive environments of 3.5% aqueous NaCl solution after the application of solution annealing, stabilizing annealing, and sensitization annealing. Comparisons were made between the fatigue crack growth rate after each heat treatment regime, and a comparison between the fatigue crack growth rate in both types of steels was made. For individual heat treatment regimes, the possibility of the development of intergranular corrosion was also considered. Evaluations resulted in very favourable corrosion fatigue characteristics of the 316L steel. After application of solution and stabilizing annealing at a comparable ∆K level, the fatigue crack growth rate was about one half compared to 304L steel. After sensitization annealing of 316L steel, compared to stabilizing annealing, the increase of crack growth rate during corrosion fatigue was slightly higher. The obtained results complement the existing standardized data on unconventional characteristics of 304L and 316L austenitic stainless steels.

Cobalt-based superalloys are among the most important materials for application in the demanding conditions of the glass industry. These superalloys with extended life are due to their excellent heat-resistant properties an important part of glass tools, especially of spinning discs. In the submitted paper, a material analysis of the commercially produced cast cobalt superalloy for spinning discs, including metallographic analysis supplemented by an electron X-ray analysis of minority phases, is carried out. An assessment of harmful gases, in particular oxygen and nitrogen, has also been carried out. They appear to be the cause of defects that often lead to the subsequent degradation of the material.

The paper deals with the influence of microstructural changes of the nickel superalloy (NiS) on heat transport changes in MAR-M247. The dissolving annealing within the temperature interval of 900 – 1240°C and cooling in water has been applied to enhance structural changes. It has been shown that the narrow connection between the γ’ phase morphology changes, as well as values of density, thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity. In the dissolving annealing process, the γ’ particles change in certain cycles from fine to rough and back to fine one. Obtained results of changes of thermal conductivity, density and specific heat capacity correlate with image analysis and electron microscopy observation.

Contamination of steel by excessive amount of non metallic inclusions leads tosignificant deterioration of its quality and consequent degradation. Cause of degradation of forgedrotors for steam turbines made of NiCrMoV steel grade is examined in this paper. Metallographicand electron-microscopic analyses were performed, including X-ray microanalysis for detecting thepurity of the forging being examinated. Concurrently, the consequence of failed technologicalproduction process, namely the influence of broken brick for argon blowing at the casting ladle, wasalso examined.