ASSESSMENT OF THE PROSPECTS FOR THE USE OF CHROMIUM BERILLIDES (CrBe₁₂) AS A MATERIAL FOR STEAM TURBINE BLADES OPERATING IN ULTRA-CRITICAL WATER VAPOR CONDITIONS

This paper evaluates the prospects for using chromium beryllides (CrBe₁₂) as a candidate material for the blades of steam turbines operating under supercritical steam conditions. A diffusion model of oxidation has been developed, taking into account the formation of a Cr₂ O₃ -enriched protective layer and its possible degradation due to cracking. It is shown that at a temperature of 600°C, chromium beryllides are characterized by a significantly lower oxide layer growth rate compared to ferritic-martensitic steels and titanium alloys, and a comparable or lower rate compared to nickel superalloys. It is assumed that the low density of CrBe₁₂ leads to a significant reduction in centrifugal stresses. The analysis conducted showed that CrBe₁₂ can be considered a promising candidate material for further research regarding components of nextgeneration steam turbine systems in a temperature range up to 650°C. However, the results obtained should be considered preliminary and require direct verification under ultra-superheated steam conditions, as well as through additional analysis of creep, fatigue, and thermal-cyclic resistance.

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