GH3044 (GH44) Nickel-Based Alloy

GH3044 (also designated GH44) is a Chinese solid-solution strengthened nickel-based oxidation-resistant alloy. With high chromium and tungsten additions, it offers good oxidation resistance and high ductility with moderate thermal strength at service temperatures up to about 900 °C, and is widely used for stamped and welded sheet-metal components of aero-engine combustors and afterburners.

Overview

• Material designation: GH3044 (GH44)
• Type: Solid-solution strengthened Ni-base oxidation-resistant alloy
• Close equivalents: ÉI686 (ЭИ686), XN60VT (ХН60ВТ), VZh90 (ВЖ90) — Russian grades
• Standards: GJB 2612-1996, GJB 1952-1994, GJB 3020-1997, GJB 3165-1998, GJB 3317-1998, GJB 3318-1998
• Service temperature: up to 900 °C
• Available forms: Plate, sheet, strip, wire, tube, round bar and ring forgings

Chemical Composition (wt%)

Physical Properties

Mechanical Properties (typical)

High ductility and moderate thermal strength are retained below 900 °C. Actual values may vary with condition and governing standard.

Oxidation Resistance

• Good oxidation resistance in air up to 1200 °C;
• Oxidation rate at 900 °C: approx. 0.0971 g/m²·h.

Microstructure

• After solution treatment at 1200 °C, the structure is essentially single-phase austenite with small amounts of MC and M23C6 carbides;
• M23C6 precipitates in chain form along grain boundaries, increasing with ageing time;
• Additional WCr solid-solution precipitates form as particles in grains and at boundaries, growing with ageing time.

Fabrication

• Hot working: ingot forging heating at 1170 °C ±10 °C, finishing temperature not below 900 °C; slab rolling at 1190 °C ±10 °C; thin-sheet hot rolling at 1130 °C ±10 °C, finishing rolling not below 800 °C;
• Cold working: total cold-rolling reduction for thin sheet approx. 30 %;
• Welding: excellent weldability by GTAW (TIG), spot welding or seam welding, with low cracking tendency in TIG welding.

Heat Treatment

• Hot-rolled and cold-rolled sheet and strip are supplied in the solution-treated condition: 1120–1160 °C, air cool.

Melting Process

• Electric-arc furnace, non-vacuum induction furnace, or vacuum induction melting + electroslag remelting / vacuum arc remelting.

Typical Applications

• Stamped and welded sheet-metal structures of aero-engine main combustors and afterburners;
• Mounting flanges, ducts and guide vanes;
• Other components requiring oxidation resistance and moderate strength below 900 °C.

For detailed datasheets, mill certificates or inquiries on specific sizes and tolerances, please contact our sales & engineering team.