7. Powder-metallurgy superalloys

7.1 1960-1980

At the end of the 1960s, scientists believed that powder metallurgy would be a more suitable means of production for the manufacture of alloys enriched with hardening elements, destined for the most highly stressed parts of the new generation of fighter aircraft engines. By introducing argon injection atomization of superalloys after vacuum induction melting, the Federal-Mogul laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has taken the first step in this challenge.

Federal-Mogul was acquired by Special Metals Corporation (now PCC Group) and qualified for IN100 (Pratt & Whitney), Astroloy (various engine manufacturers) and René 95 (General Electric). In 1972, Special Metals built its Princeton plant, which became the world's first production facility for...