US20060165553A1 - Ni base alloy - Google Patents
Ni base alloy Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060165553A1 US20060165553A1 US10/546,130 US54613005A US2006165553A1 US 20060165553 A1 US20060165553 A1 US 20060165553A1 US 54613005 A US54613005 A US 54613005A US 2006165553 A1 US2006165553 A1 US 2006165553A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- nickel
- polymer electrolyte
- electrolyte fuel
- fuel cell
- base alloy
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0204—Non-porous and characterised by the material
- H01M8/0206—Metals or alloys
- H01M8/0208—Alloys
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22C—ALLOYS
- C22C19/00—Alloys based on nickel or cobalt
- C22C19/03—Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel
- C22C19/05—Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel with chromium
- C22C19/051—Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel with chromium and Mo or W
- C22C19/052—Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel with chromium and Mo or W with the maximum Cr content being at least 40%
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22C—ALLOYS
- C22C19/00—Alloys based on nickel or cobalt
- C22C19/03—Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel
- C22C19/05—Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel with chromium
- C22C19/051—Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel with chromium and Mo or W
- C22C19/053—Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel with chromium and Mo or W with the maximum Cr content being at least 30% but less than 40%
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22C—ALLOYS
- C22C19/00—Alloys based on nickel or cobalt
- C22C19/03—Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel
- C22C19/05—Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel with chromium
- C22C19/051—Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel with chromium and Mo or W
- C22C19/055—Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel with chromium and Mo or W with the maximum Cr content being at least 20% but less than 30%
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22C—ALLOYS
- C22C19/00—Alloys based on nickel or cobalt
- C22C19/03—Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel
- C22C19/05—Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel with chromium
- C22C19/058—Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel with chromium without Mo and W
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
Definitions
- the present invention relates to nickel-base alloys.
- Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-44416, Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-44417 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-27444, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- FIG. 1 schematically shows the construction of such a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which includes hydrogen electrodes 1 , oxygen electrodes 2 , first platinum catalysts 3 and second platinum catalysts 3 ′, solid electrolyte membranes (proton exchange membrane) 4 , and unit cells 5 .
- Each unit cell 5 has a solid electrolyte membrane 4 , on either side of which is provided a first platinum catalyst 3 and a second platinum catalyst 3 ′.
- a hydrogen electrode 1 is provided outside of the first platinum catalyst 3
- an oxygen electrode 2 is provided outside of the second platinum catalyst 3 ′.
- a plurality of unit cells 5 are stacked with separators 6 therebetween by using at least two support plates 7 and fasteners 8 such as bolts and nuts.
- Power generation principle within a unit cell 5 of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell having this type of construction takes place as follows. Hydrogen obtained from natural gas, methanol or the like is supplied to the hydrogen electrode 1 , where the first platinum catalyst 3 on the hydrogen electrode 1 side is used to decompose the hydrogen into hydrogen ions and electrons. The electrons are led out as electricity to the exterior, flow through an external load circuit (not shown), and reach the oxygen electrode 2 .
- the hydrogen ions pass through a solid electrolyte membrane 4 composed of a polymer electrolyte-type ion-exchange membrane that allows only hydrogen ions to pass through, and migrate to the oxygen electrode 2 side.
- the hydrogen ions, electrons and oxygen react under the influence of the second platinum catalyst 3 ′ to form water.
- the role of the solid electrolyte membrane 4 is to allow hydrogen gas to pass through as hydrogen ions, for which it needs to be wet. Because the hydrogen ions, electrons and oxygen react to form water on the oxygen electrode 2 side, keeping the solid electrolyte membrane 4 wet is not a problem. However, the hydrogen electrode 1 side which is separated from the oxygen electrode 2 side by the solid electrolyte membrane 4 is not in this way supplied with water and thus ends up dry.
- water 9 discharged from the oxygen electrode 2 side is received by a manifold 10 , passed through a pipe 11 , and supplied with the aid of a pump 12 to the solid electrolyte membrane 4 on the hydrogen electrode 1 side.
- the water 9 discharged from the oxygen electrode 2 side is received by the manifold 10 , passed through the pipe 11 , and fed by means of a pump 12 to the solid electrolyte membrane 4 on the hydrogen electrode 1 side, thereby ensuring the wetness of the solid electrolyte membrane 4 on the hydrogen electrode 1 side.
- the solid electrolyte membrane 4 used in polymer electrolyte fuel cells generally has been administered sulfonation treatment, the water 9 discharged from the oxygen electrode 2 side has sulfonic acid acidity and is thus mildly corrosive.
- the manifolds 10 and pipes 11 which receive water 9 to be corrosion resistant.
- the solid electrolyte membranes used in polymer electrolyte fuel cells have been subjected to fluorination rather that sulfonation treatment.
- the water 9 discharged from the oxygen electrode 2 side will as a result have hydrofluoric acid acidity.
- throughholes are provided in the hydrogen electrode 1 and the oxygen electrode 2 .
- the sulfonic acid acidic or hydrofluoric acid acidic water 9 that is discharged from the oxygen electrode 2 side passes through the throughholes (not shown) and comes into contact with the separator 6 .
- the sulfonic acid acidic or hydrofluoric acid acidic water 9 that is discharged from the oxygen electrode 2 side, recirculated, and reaches the hydrogen electrode 1 side also passes through the throughholes (not shown) and comes into contact with the separator 6 .
- corrosion resistance is required also of the separators 6 .
- These components such as manifolds 10 , pipes 11 and separators 6 that require corrosion resistance are generally made of a stainless steel such as SUS316L.
- the sulfuric acid acidic or hydrofluoric acid acidic water produced on the oxygen electrode 2 side disperses and settles on the support plates 7 , fasteners 8 such as bolts and nuts, and the like, corrode these as well. Therefore, stainless steels such as SUS316L are also used in the support plates 7 and fasteners 8 such as bolts and nuts.
- structural members excluding unit cells 5 , for assembling polymer electrolyte fuel cells, such as support plates 7 , fasteners 8 , manifolds 10 , pipes 11 and separators 6 (collectively referred to hereinafter as “structural members for polymer electrolyte fuel cells”) (see, for example, JP-A No. 2001-6714, JP-A No. 2000-299121, JP-A No. 2000-331696 and the like).
- Another object of this invention is to provide structural members for forming polymer electrolyte fuel cells, which structural members are composed of a nickel-base alloy that undergoes very little leaching of ions in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell environment wherein the environment is used when stacking unit cells of the polymer electrolyte fuel cells for forming assembly.
- nickel-base alloys which include at least 29% but less than 42% (all percentages here and below are by weight) of chromium.
- the nickel-base alloys include more than 1% and not more than 3% of tantalum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen and 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, and furthermore optionally may include one or more from among 0.1 to 2% molybdenum, 0.05 to 1.0% iron and 0.01 to 0.1% silicon.
- the balance of the nickel-base alloys are nickel and unavoidable inadvertent impurities.
- the nickel-base alloys which have a composition wherein the carbon contained as inadvertent impurities is set to 0.05% or less, have a corrosion rate of less than 0.1 mm/year in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Furthermore, the nickel-base alloys achieve very little leaching of ions in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. We have thus learned that these nickel-base alloys have effects, in structural members for forming the polymer electrolyte fuel cells, that are even better than those of prior-art materials such as stainless steels.
- nickel-base alloys which include at least 43% and not more than 50% of chromium.
- the nickel-base alloys include 0.1 to 2% molybdenum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen and 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, and which optionally may include one or both 0.05 to 1.0% iron and 0.01 to 0.1% silicon.
- the balance of the nickel-base alloys is nickel and unavoidable inadvertent impurities.
- the nickel-base alloys which moreover have a composition wherein the carbon contained as inadvertent impurities is set to 0.05% or less have a corrosion rate of less than 0.1 mm/year in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- the nickel-base alloys achieve very little leaching of ions in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. We have thus learned that these nickel-base alloy have effects, in structural members for forming the polymer electrolyte fuel cells, that are even better than those of prior-art materials such as stainless steels.
- the first to sixth aspects of the invention are based on these findings.
- the invention provides:
- a nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, at least 29% but less than 42% chromium, more than 1% and not more than 3% tantalum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen and 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities, the amount of carbon included in the alloy as inadvertent impurities being not more than 0.05%.
- the invention provides:
- a nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, at least 29% but less than 42% chromium, more than 1% and not more than 3% tantalum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen, 0.05 to 0.5% manganese and 0.1 to 2% molybdenum, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities, the amount of carbon included in the alloy as inadvertent impurities being not more than 0.05%.
- the invention provides:
- a nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, at least 29% but less than 42% chromium, more than 1% and not more than 3% tantalum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen, 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, and one or both of 0.05 to 1.0% iron and 0.01 to 0.1% silicon, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities, the amount of carbon included in the alloy as inadvertent impurities being not more than 0.05%.
- the invention provides:
- a nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, at least 29% but less than 42% chromium, more than 1% and not more than 3% tantalum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen, 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, 0.1 to 2% molybdenum, and one or both of 0.05 to 1.0% iron and 0.01 to 0.1% silicon, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities, the amount of carbon included in the alloy as inadvertent impurities being not more than 0.05%.
- the nickel-base alloy of the above first, second, third or fourth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a structural member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- the nickel-base alloy of the above first, second, third or fourth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a manifold member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- the nickel-base alloy of the above first, second, third or fourth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a pipe member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- the nickel-base alloy of the above first, second, third or fourth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a fastener member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- the nickel-base alloy of the above first, second, third or fourth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a support plate member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- the nickel-base alloy of the above first, second, third or fourth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a separator member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- the invention provides (11) a nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, more than 43% and not more than 50% chromium, 0.1 to 2% molybdenum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen, and 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities, the amount of carbon included in the alloy as inadvertent impurities being not more than 0.05%.
- the invention provides (12) a nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, more than 43% and not more than 50% chromium, 0.1 to 2% molybdenum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen, 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, and one or both of 0.05 to 1.0% iron and 0.01 to 0.1% silicon, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities, the amount of carbon included in the alloy as inadvertent impurities being not more than 0.05%.
- the nickel-base alloys of the fifth and sixth aspects undergo very little leaching of ions in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, they are particularly effective as structural members for the assembly of polymer electrolyte fuel cell, such as support plates 7 , fasteners 8 , manifolds 10 , pipes 11 and separators 6 . Accordingly, the following inventions are also provided.
- the nickel-based alloy of the above fifth or sixth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a structural member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- the nickel-based alloy of the above fifth or sixth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a manifold member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- the nickel-based alloy of the above fifth or sixth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a pipe member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- the nickel-based alloy of the above fifth or sixth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a fastener member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- the nickel-based alloy of the above fifth or sixth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a support plate member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- the nickel-based alloy of the above fifth or sixth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a separator member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the construction of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- the presence of both chromium and tantalum dramatically increases corrosion resistance. At least 29% chromium must be present in such cases. However, the presence of 42% or more chromium, in combination with tantalum, makes the formation of a single phase difficult to achieve and increases the amount of metal ions that leach out, which is undesirable. Hence, the chromium content has been set to at least 29% but less than 42%. A chromium content of 35 to 41% is preferred.
- the tantalum content must be more than 1%.
- a tantalum content of at least 1.1 but less than 2.5% is preferred.
- nitrogen, manganese and magnesium serves to improve the phase stability. That is, nitrogen, manganese and magnesium stabilize the Ni-fcc phase which is the matrix, thus promoting the entry of chromium into a solid solution and discouraging the deposition of a second phase.
- nitrogen content at a nitrogen content of less than 0.001%, there is no phase stabilizing effect.
- nitrogen content has been set at 0.001 to 0.04%, and preferably 0.005 to 0.03%.
- the manganese content has been set at 0.05 to 0.5%, and preferably 0.1 to 0.4%.
- the magnesium content has been set at 0.001 to 0.05%, and preferably 0.002 to 0.04%.
- Molybdenum has the effect in particular of suppressing an increase in the leaching of metal ions when the sulfuric acid concentration rises within an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell containing a trace amount of sulfuric acid. Molybdenum is thus added as an optional ingredient. It is effective at a concentration of at least 0.1%, but if more than 2% is present, the phase stability deteriorates, discouraging entry of the Cr-bcc phase into a solid solution. As a result, microcells form between the Ni-fcc phase serving as the matrix and the Cr-bcc phase, which has the undesirable effect of increasing the leaching of metal ions. Accordingly, the level of molybdenum included in the nickel-base alloy of this invention has been set at 0.1 to 2%. A range of more than 0.1 but less than 0.5% is preferred.
- Iron and silicon have strength-enhancing effects and are thus added as optional ingredients. Iron is effective at a content of 0.05% or more, but when present at above 1%, the leaching of metal ions in an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell increases. Hence, the iron content has been set at 0.05 to 1%, and preferably at least 0.1% but less than 0.5%.
- silicon is effective at a content of 0.01% or more, but when present at above 0.1%, the leaching of metal ions in an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell increases.
- the silicon content has been set at 0.01 to 0.1%, and preferably 0.02 to 0.05%.
- Carbon is present as an inadvertent impurity.
- the presence of a large amount of carbon results in the formation of a carbide with chromium in the vicinity of crystal grain boundaries, increasing the leaching of metal ions. Therefore, the lower the carbon content the better.
- the upper limit in the carbon content present among inadvertent impurities has been set at 0.05%.
- a carbon content of 0% is preferred.
- the carbon content may be substantially from 0.001 to 0.05%.
- chromium is effective for suppressing the leaching of metal ions.
- the presence of more than 43% is required, but machining becomes difficult at a level of more than 50%.
- the chromium present in the nickel-base alloy of this invention has been set to more than 43% and not more than 50%.
- a chromium content of 43.1 to 47% is preferred.
- Molybdenum has the effect in particular of suppressing an increase in the leaching of metal ions when the sulfuric acid concentration rises within an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell containing a trace amount of sulfuric acid. It is effective when present in a concentration of at least 0.1%, but at a concentration of more than 2%, the phase stability deteriorates, discouraging entry of the Cr-bcc phase into solid solution. As a result, microcells form between the Ni-fcc phase serving as the parent phase and the Cr-bcc phase, resulting in an increase in the leaching of metal ions. Accordingly, the molybdenum content in the nickel-base alloy of this invention has been set at 0.1 to 2%. A range of more than 0.1% but less than 0.5% is preferred.
- nitrogen, manganese and magnesium serves to improve the phase stability. That is, nitrogen, manganese and magnesium stabilize the Ni-fcc phase which is the matrix, thus promoting the entry of chromium into a solid solution and discouraging the deposition of a second phase.
- nitrogen content at a nitrogen content of less than 0.001%, there is no phase stabilizing effect.
- the nitrogen content has been set at 0.001 to 0.04%, and preferably 0.005 to 0.03%.
- the manganese content has been set at 0.05 to 0.5%, and preferably 0.1 to 0.4%.
- the magnesium content has been set at 0.001 to 0.05%, and preferably 0.002 to 0.04%.
- Iron and silicon have strength-enhancing effects and are thus added as optional ingredients. Iron is effective at a content of 0.05% or more, but when present at above 1%, the leaching of metal ions in an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell increases. Hence, the iron content has been set at 0.05 to 1%, and preferably at least 0.1% but less than 0.5%.
- silicon is effective at a content of 0.01% or more, but when present at above 0.1%, the leaching of metal ions in an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell increases.
- the silicon content has been set at 0.01 to 0.1%, and preferably 0.02 to 0.05%.
- Carbon is present as an inadvertent impurity. Carbon forms a carbide with chromium in the vicinity of crystal grain boundaries, increasing the leaching of metal ions. Therefore, the lower the carbon content the better. Hence, the upper limit in the carbon content present among inadvertent impurities has been set at 0.05%. A carbon content of 0% is preferred. The carbon content may be substantially from 0.001 to 0.05%.
- low carbon-content starting materials were prepared. These starting materials were melted and cast in an ordinary high-frequency melting furnace to produce nickel-base alloy ingots having a thickness of 12 mm. These ingots were subjected to homogenizing heat treatment at 1230° C. for 10 hours. Next, while maintaining the temperature within a range of 1000 to 1230° C., the ingots were reduced to a final thickness of 5 mm by hot rolling at a thickness reduction rate of 1 mm per pass. The resulting plates were then subjected to solid solution treatment in which they were held at 1200° C. for 30 minutes then water quenched. Next, the surfaces were buffed, giving nickel-base alloy plates 1 to 20 according to the invention (Examples 1 to 20) and comparative nickel-base alloy plates 1 to 10 (Comparative Examples 1 to 10).
- a prior-art alloy plate 1 (Prior-Art Example 1) made of SUS304 stainless steel and having a thickness of 5 mm and a prior-art alloy plate 2 (Prior-Art Example 2) made of SUS316L stainless steel and of the same thickness were also prepared.
- nickel-base alloy plates 1 to 21 (Examples), comparative nickel-base alloy plates 1-10 (Comparative Examples) and prior-art alloy plates 1 and 2 (Prior-Art Examples) were each cut into test pieces having a length of 10 mm and a width of 50 mm.
- the test pieces were surface polished by finishing with waterproof emery paper #400, following which they were ultrasonically degreased in acetone for five minutes.
- a 1,000 ppm H 2 SO 4 solution and a 500 ppm H 2 SO 4 solution were prepared as test solutions which simulate the sulfuric acid acidic water that forms in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- a 500 ppm HF solution and a 50 ppm HF solution were also prepared as test solutions which simulate the hydrofluoric acid acidic water that forms in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- polypropylene test containers were prepared for use.
- test pieces from nickel-base alloy plates 1 to 21 (Examples), comparative nickel-base alloy plates 1 to 10 (Comparative Examples) and prior-art alloy plates 1 and 2 (Prior-Art Examples) were individually placed, together with 200 ml portions of the test solutions prepared above, in the polypropylene test containers. These were then vacuum degassed in a glove box, and sealed by closure with a lid within a hydrogen atmosphere. The sealed polypropylene test containers were placed in a test chamber set at 80° C. and held therein for 500 hours.
- the polypropylene test containers were subsequently removed and cooled, following which the elements that leached out into the H 2 SO 4 solutions and the HF solutions were quantitatively determined by inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy, and the total amount of metal ions that leached from each test piece was measured. This total amount of leached metal ions was divided by the surface area of the test piece to give the amount of leached metal ions per unit surface area. The results are shown in Tables 3 and 4.
- Example 1 1.01 0.19 0.42 0.18
- Example 2 1.18 0.19 0.41 0.21
- Example 3 0.30 0.08 0.24 0.05
- Example 4 0.42 0.11 0.31 0.07
- Example 5 0.86 0.10 0.24 0.15
- Example 6 0.49 0.12 0.28 0.09
- Example 7 0.77 0.12 0.27 0.13
- Example 8 0.74 0.12 0.26 0.13
- Example 9 0.60 0.12 0.27 0.10
- Example 10 0.67 0.13 0.28 0.12
- Example 11 0.72 0.11 0.25 0.12
- Example 12 0.74 0.15 0.34 0.13
- Example 13 0.69 0.13 0.29 0.12
- Example 14 0.70 0.15 0.33 0.12
- the nickel-base alloy plates in Examples 1 to 21 according to the first to fourth aspects of the invention have much lower amounts of metal ions leached per unit surface area of the test pieces than the alloy plates 1 and 2 in Prior-Art Examples 1 and 2.
- low carbon-content starting materials were prepared. These starting materials were melted and cast in an ordinary high-frequency induction furnace, thereby producing 12 mm thick ingots of the ingredient compositions shown in Tables 5 to 7. These ingots were subjected to homogenizing heat treatment at 1230° C. for 10 hours. Next, while maintaining the temperature within a range of 1000 to 1230° C., the ingots were reduced to a final thickness of 5 mm by hot rolling at a thickness reduction rate of 1 mm per pass. The resulting plates were then subjected to solution heat treatment in which they were held at 1200° C. for 30 minutes then water quenched. Next, the surfaces were buffed, giving nickel-base alloy plates 22 to 41 according to the invention (Examples) and comparative nickel-base alloy plates 11 to 20 (Comparative Examples) having the ingredient compositions shown in Tables 5 to 7.
- a prior-art alloy plate 3 made of SUS304 stainless steel and having a thickness of 5 mm and a prior-art alloy plate 4 (Prior-Art Example) made of SUS316L stainless steel and of the same thickness were also prepared.
- inventive nickel-base alloy plates 22 to 41 (Examples), comparative nickel-base alloy plates 11-20 (Comparative Examples) and prior-art alloy plates 3 and 4 (Prior-Art Examples) were each cut into test pieces having a length of 10 mm and a width of 50 mm.
- the test pieces were surface polished by finishing with waterproof emery paper #400, following which they were ultrasonically degreased in acetone for five minutes.
- a 1,000 ppm H 2 SO 4 solution and a 500 ppm H 2 SO 4 solution were prepared as test solutions which simulate the sulfuric acid acidic water that forms in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- a 500 ppm HF solution and a 50 ppm HF solution were also prepared as test solutions which simulate the hydrofluoric acid acidic water that forms in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- polypropylene test containers were prepared for use.
- test pieces from inventive nickel-base alloy plates 22 to 41 (Examples), comparative nickel-base alloy plates 11 to 20 (Comparative Examples) and prior-art alloy plates 3 and 4 (Prior-Art Examples) were individually placed, together with 200 ml portions of the test solutions prepared above, in the polypropylene test containers. These were then vacuum degassed in a glove box, and sealed by closure with a lid within a hydrogen atmosphere. These sealed polypropylene test containers were placed in a test chamber set at 80° C. and held therein for 500 hours.
- the polypropylene test containers were subsequently removed and cooled, following which the elements that leached out into the H 2 SO 4 solutions and the HF solutions were quantitatively determined by inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy, and the total amount of metal ions that leached from each test piece was measured. This total amount of leached metal ions was divided by the surface area of the test piece to give the amount of leached metal ions per unit surface area. The results are shown in Tables 5 to 7.
- Amount of Amount of metal ions metal ions Amount of Amount of leached by leached by metal ion metal ion Ingredient composition (wt %) 1,000 ppm 500 ppm leached by leached by Ni and H 2 SO 4 H 2 SO 4 500 ppm HF 50 ppm HF Ni-base inadvertent solution solution solution solution alloy Cr Mo Mg N Mn Fe Si C# impurities (ppm/cm 2 ) (ppm/cm 2 ) (ppm/cm 2 ) (ppm/cm 2 ) EX 36 43.1 0.42 0.036 0.027 0.14 — — 0.03 balance 0.32 0.12 1.22 0.42 EX 37 46.3 0.34 0.026 0.010 0.26 — — 0.02 balance 0.16 0.06 0.60 0.20 EX 38 44.1 0.42 0.008 0.016 0.22 0.18 0.04 0.02 balance 0.24 0.09 0.93 0.31 EX 39 46.0 0.42 0.034 0.005 0.21 0.11 0.05 0.
- the nickel-base alloy plates in Examples 22 to 42 according to the fifth and sixth aspects of the invention have much lower amounts of metal ion leached per unit surface area of the test pieces than the alloy plates 3 and 4 in Prior-Art Examples 3 and 4.
- the nickel-base alloys of the invention undergo very little leaching of metal ions in an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Therefore, by assembling polymer electrolyte fuel cells using components made of the nickel-base alloys of the invention, deterioration of the solid electrolyte membrane can be suppressed, enabling polymer electrolyte fuel cells with a longer lifetime to be achieved. This invention will thus be of great industrial benefit.
- the nickel-base alloys of the invention are most effective when used in an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell containing sulfuric acid or hydrofluoric acid.
- these nickel-base alloys are not limited only to use under such circumstances, and also undergo very little leaching of metal ions in an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell containing formic acid.
- the inventive metal-base alloys can also be used to make components for drug manufacturing equipment from which the leaching of metal ions cannot be tolerated.
Abstract
A nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, at least 29% but less than 42% chromium, more than 1 and not more than 3% tantalum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen and 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities. A nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, more than 43% and not more than 50% chromium, 0.1 to 2% molybdenum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen, and 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities. The amount of carbon included as inadvertent impurities is not more than 0.05%.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to nickel-base alloys. Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-44416, Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-44417 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-27444, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- 2. Background Art
- Polymer electrolyte fuel cells which operate at low temperatures ranging from room temperature to 80° C. can be built to compact dimensions and thus are expected to be used in automotive and portable fields. Development work on such fuel cells is proceeding rapidly.
FIG. 1 schematically shows the construction of such a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which includes hydrogen electrodes 1,oxygen electrodes 2,first platinum catalysts 3 andsecond platinum catalysts 3′, solid electrolyte membranes (proton exchange membrane) 4, andunit cells 5. Eachunit cell 5 has asolid electrolyte membrane 4, on either side of which is provided afirst platinum catalyst 3 and asecond platinum catalyst 3′. A hydrogen electrode 1 is provided outside of thefirst platinum catalyst 3, and anoxygen electrode 2 is provided outside of thesecond platinum catalyst 3′. In order to stack theseunit cells 5 together with interveningseparators 6 to form the polymer electrolyte fuel cell, a plurality ofunit cells 5 are stacked withseparators 6 therebetween by using at least twosupport plates 7 and fasteners 8 such as bolts and nuts. - Power generation principle within a
unit cell 5 of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell having this type of construction takes place as follows. Hydrogen obtained from natural gas, methanol or the like is supplied to the hydrogen electrode 1, where thefirst platinum catalyst 3 on the hydrogen electrode 1 side is used to decompose the hydrogen into hydrogen ions and electrons. The electrons are led out as electricity to the exterior, flow through an external load circuit (not shown), and reach theoxygen electrode 2. The hydrogen ions pass through asolid electrolyte membrane 4 composed of a polymer electrolyte-type ion-exchange membrane that allows only hydrogen ions to pass through, and migrate to theoxygen electrode 2 side. On theoxygen electrode 2 side, the hydrogen ions, electrons and oxygen react under the influence of thesecond platinum catalyst 3′ to form water. The role of thesolid electrolyte membrane 4 is to allow hydrogen gas to pass through as hydrogen ions, for which it needs to be wet. Because the hydrogen ions, electrons and oxygen react to form water on theoxygen electrode 2 side, keeping thesolid electrolyte membrane 4 wet is not a problem. However, the hydrogen electrode 1 side which is separated from theoxygen electrode 2 side by thesolid electrolyte membrane 4 is not in this way supplied with water and thus ends up dry. Hence, to ensure the wetness of thesolid electrolyte membrane 4 on the hydrogen electrode 1 side,water 9 discharged from theoxygen electrode 2 side is received by amanifold 10, passed through apipe 11, and supplied with the aid of apump 12 to thesolid electrolyte membrane 4 on the hydrogen electrode 1 side. - As just described, the
water 9 discharged from theoxygen electrode 2 side is received by themanifold 10, passed through thepipe 11, and fed by means of apump 12 to thesolid electrolyte membrane 4 on the hydrogen electrode 1 side, thereby ensuring the wetness of thesolid electrolyte membrane 4 on the hydrogen electrode 1 side. However, because thesolid electrolyte membrane 4 used in polymer electrolyte fuel cells generally has been administered sulfonation treatment, thewater 9 discharged from theoxygen electrode 2 side has sulfonic acid acidity and is thus mildly corrosive. Hence, there is a need for themanifolds 10 andpipes 11 which receivewater 9 to be corrosion resistant. - In some cases, the solid electrolyte membranes used in polymer electrolyte fuel cells have been subjected to fluorination rather that sulfonation treatment. The
water 9 discharged from theoxygen electrode 2 side will as a result have hydrofluoric acid acidity. In such cases, there will similarly be a need for themanifolds 10 andpipes 11 which receivewater 9 to be corrosion resistant. - In addition, throughholes (not shown) are provided in the hydrogen electrode 1 and the
oxygen electrode 2. The sulfonic acid acidic or hydrofluoric acidacidic water 9 that is discharged from theoxygen electrode 2 side passes through the throughholes (not shown) and comes into contact with theseparator 6. Moreover, the sulfonic acid acidic or hydrofluoric acidacidic water 9 that is discharged from theoxygen electrode 2 side, recirculated, and reaches the hydrogen electrode 1 side also passes through the throughholes (not shown) and comes into contact with theseparator 6. Hence, corrosion resistance is required also of theseparators 6. - These components such as
manifolds 10,pipes 11 andseparators 6 that require corrosion resistance are generally made of a stainless steel such as SUS316L. In addition, the sulfuric acid acidic or hydrofluoric acid acidic water produced on theoxygen electrode 2 side disperses and settles on thesupport plates 7, fasteners 8 such as bolts and nuts, and the like, corrode these as well. Therefore, stainless steels such as SUS316L are also used in thesupport plates 7 and fasteners 8 such as bolts and nuts. That is, stainless steels such as SUS316L are known to be used in the structural members, excludingunit cells 5, for assembling polymer electrolyte fuel cells, such assupport plates 7, fasteners 8,manifolds 10,pipes 11 and separators 6 (collectively referred to hereinafter as “structural members for polymer electrolyte fuel cells”) (see, for example, JP-A No. 2001-6714, JP-A No. 2000-299121, JP-A No. 2000-331696 and the like). - At a corrosion rate of less than 0.1 mm/year, structural members for polymer electrolyte fuel cells are generally rated as “excellent” and the corrosion resistance of the stainless steel is also generally rated as “excellent.” However, a elution amount of metal ions from stainless steel is large. Such metal ions that have leached from the stainless steel degrade the solid electrolyte membrane, which can dramatically shorten the life of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Accordingly, there has existed a desire for the development of metal materials that undergo very little leaching of metal ions.
- It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a nickel-base alloy which achieves very little elution amount of ions in the environment wherein the polymer electrolyte fuel cell is formed. Another object of this invention is to provide structural members for forming polymer electrolyte fuel cells, which structural members are composed of a nickel-base alloy that undergoes very little leaching of ions in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell environment wherein the environment is used when stacking unit cells of the polymer electrolyte fuel cells for forming assembly.
- As a result of extensive investigations conducted on ways of obtaining metal materials that undergo very little leaching of metal ions in an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, we have found that nickel-base alloys which include at least 29% but less than 42% (all percentages here and below are by weight) of chromium. The nickel-base alloys include more than 1% and not more than 3% of tantalum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen and 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, and furthermore optionally may include one or more from among 0.1 to 2% molybdenum, 0.05 to 1.0% iron and 0.01 to 0.1% silicon. The balance of the nickel-base alloys are nickel and unavoidable inadvertent impurities. The nickel-base alloys, which have a composition wherein the carbon contained as inadvertent impurities is set to 0.05% or less, have a corrosion rate of less than 0.1 mm/year in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Furthermore, the nickel-base alloys achieve very little leaching of ions in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. We have thus learned that these nickel-base alloys have effects, in structural members for forming the polymer electrolyte fuel cells, that are even better than those of prior-art materials such as stainless steels.
- We have also discovered that nickel-base alloys which include at least 43% and not more than 50% of chromium. The nickel-base alloys include 0.1 to 2% molybdenum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen and 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, and which optionally may include one or both 0.05 to 1.0% iron and 0.01 to 0.1% silicon. The balance of the nickel-base alloys is nickel and unavoidable inadvertent impurities. The nickel-base alloys which moreover have a composition wherein the carbon contained as inadvertent impurities is set to 0.05% or less have a corrosion rate of less than 0.1 mm/year in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The nickel-base alloys achieve very little leaching of ions in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. We have thus learned that these nickel-base alloy have effects, in structural members for forming the polymer electrolyte fuel cells, that are even better than those of prior-art materials such as stainless steels.
- The first to sixth aspects of the invention are based on these findings.
- In a first aspect, the invention provides:
- (1) a nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, at least 29% but less than 42% chromium, more than 1% and not more than 3% tantalum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen and 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities, the amount of carbon included in the alloy as inadvertent impurities being not more than 0.05%.
- In a second aspect, the invention provides:
- (2) a nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, at least 29% but less than 42% chromium, more than 1% and not more than 3% tantalum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen, 0.05 to 0.5% manganese and 0.1 to 2% molybdenum, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities, the amount of carbon included in the alloy as inadvertent impurities being not more than 0.05%.
- In a third aspect, the invention provides:
- (3) a nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, at least 29% but less than 42% chromium, more than 1% and not more than 3% tantalum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen, 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, and one or both of 0.05 to 1.0% iron and 0.01 to 0.1% silicon, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities, the amount of carbon included in the alloy as inadvertent impurities being not more than 0.05%.
- In a fourth aspect, the invention provides:
- (4) a nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, at least 29% but less than 42% chromium, more than 1% and not more than 3% tantalum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen, 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, 0.1 to 2% molybdenum, and one or both of 0.05 to 1.0% iron and 0.01 to 0.1% silicon, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities, the amount of carbon included in the alloy as inadvertent impurities being not more than 0.05%.
- (5) The nickel-base alloy of the above first, second, third or fourth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a structural member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- (6) The nickel-base alloy of the above first, second, third or fourth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a manifold member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- (7) The nickel-base alloy of the above first, second, third or fourth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a pipe member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- (8) The nickel-base alloy of the above first, second, third or fourth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a fastener member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- (9) The nickel-base alloy of the above first, second, third or fourth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a support plate member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- (10) The nickel-base alloy of the above first, second, third or fourth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a separator member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- In a fifth aspect, the invention provides (11) a nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, more than 43% and not more than 50% chromium, 0.1 to 2% molybdenum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen, and 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities, the amount of carbon included in the alloy as inadvertent impurities being not more than 0.05%.
- In a sixth aspect, the invention provides (12) a nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, more than 43% and not more than 50% chromium, 0.1 to 2% molybdenum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen, 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, and one or both of 0.05 to 1.0% iron and 0.01 to 0.1% silicon, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities, the amount of carbon included in the alloy as inadvertent impurities being not more than 0.05%.
- Because the nickel-base alloys of the fifth and sixth aspects undergo very little leaching of ions in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, they are particularly effective as structural members for the assembly of polymer electrolyte fuel cell, such as
support plates 7, fasteners 8,manifolds 10,pipes 11 andseparators 6. Accordingly, the following inventions are also provided. - (13) The nickel-based alloy of the above fifth or sixth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a structural member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- (14) The nickel-based alloy of the above fifth or sixth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a manifold member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- (15) The nickel-based alloy of the above fifth or sixth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a pipe member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- (16) The nickel-based alloy of the above fifth or sixth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a fastener member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- (17) The nickel-based alloy of the above fifth or sixth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a support plate member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- (18) The nickel-based alloy of the above fifth or sixth aspect may be included in, or make up all of, a separator member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the construction of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. - Limits for each element in the compositions of the nickel-base alloys according to the first to fourth aspects which undergo very little leaching of ions in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell are explained below in detail.
- Chromium and Tantalum:
- In an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell containing a trace amount of hydrofluoric acid, the presence of both chromium and tantalum dramatically increases corrosion resistance. At least 29% chromium must be present in such cases. However, the presence of 42% or more chromium, in combination with tantalum, makes the formation of a single phase difficult to achieve and increases the amount of metal ions that leach out, which is undesirable. Hence, the chromium content has been set to at least 29% but less than 42%. A chromium content of 35 to 41% is preferred.
- Similarly, the tantalum content must be more than 1%. However, the presence of more than 3% tantalum, in combination with chromium, compromises the phase stability and increases the amount of metal ions that leach out, which is undesirable. Accordingly, the tantalum content has been set to more than 1% and not more than 3%. A tantalum content of at least 1.1 but less than 2.5% is preferred.
- Nitrogen, Manganese and Magnesium:
- The presence of nitrogen, manganese and magnesium serves to improve the phase stability. That is, nitrogen, manganese and magnesium stabilize the Ni-fcc phase which is the matrix, thus promoting the entry of chromium into a solid solution and discouraging the deposition of a second phase. However, at a nitrogen content of less than 0.001%, there is no phase stabilizing effect. On the other hand, when more than 0.04% nitrogen is present, nitrides form and the leaching of metal ions in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell increases. Hence, the nitrogen content has been set at 0.001 to 0.04%, and preferably 0.005 to 0.03%.
- Likewise, at a manganese content of less than 0.05%, there is no phase stabilizing effect, whereas the presence of more than 0.5% increases the leaching of metal ions in an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Hence, the manganese content has been set at 0.05 to 0.5%, and preferably 0.1 to 0.4%.
- Similarly, at a magnesium content of less than 0.001%, there is no phase stabilizing effect, whereas the presence of more than 0.05% increases the leaching of metal ions in an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Hence, the magnesium content has been set at 0.001 to 0.05%, and preferably 0.002 to 0.04%.
- Molybdenum:
- Molybdenum has the effect in particular of suppressing an increase in the leaching of metal ions when the sulfuric acid concentration rises within an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell containing a trace amount of sulfuric acid. Molybdenum is thus added as an optional ingredient. It is effective at a concentration of at least 0.1%, but if more than 2% is present, the phase stability deteriorates, discouraging entry of the Cr-bcc phase into a solid solution. As a result, microcells form between the Ni-fcc phase serving as the matrix and the Cr-bcc phase, which has the undesirable effect of increasing the leaching of metal ions. Accordingly, the level of molybdenum included in the nickel-base alloy of this invention has been set at 0.1 to 2%. A range of more than 0.1 but less than 0.5% is preferred.
- Iron and Silicon:
- Iron and silicon have strength-enhancing effects and are thus added as optional ingredients. Iron is effective at a content of 0.05% or more, but when present at above 1%, the leaching of metal ions in an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell increases. Hence, the iron content has been set at 0.05 to 1%, and preferably at least 0.1% but less than 0.5%.
- Similarly, silicon is effective at a content of 0.01% or more, but when present at above 0.1%, the leaching of metal ions in an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell increases. Hence, the silicon content has been set at 0.01 to 0.1%, and preferably 0.02 to 0.05%.
- Carbon:
- Carbon is present as an inadvertent impurity. The presence of a large amount of carbon results in the formation of a carbide with chromium in the vicinity of crystal grain boundaries, increasing the leaching of metal ions. Therefore, the lower the carbon content the better. Hence, the upper limit in the carbon content present among inadvertent impurities has been set at 0.05%. A carbon content of 0% is preferred. The carbon content may be substantially from 0.001 to 0.05%.
- Next, limits for each element in the compositions of the nickel-base alloys according to the fifth and sixth aspects which undergo very little leaching of ions in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell are explained below in detail.
- Chromium:
- In an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell containing a trace amount of sulfuric acid, chromium is effective for suppressing the leaching of metal ions. In such cases, the presence of more than 43% is required, but machining becomes difficult at a level of more than 50%. Accordingly, the chromium present in the nickel-base alloy of this invention has been set to more than 43% and not more than 50%. A chromium content of 43.1 to 47% is preferred.
- Molybdenum:
- Molybdenum has the effect in particular of suppressing an increase in the leaching of metal ions when the sulfuric acid concentration rises within an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell containing a trace amount of sulfuric acid. It is effective when present in a concentration of at least 0.1%, but at a concentration of more than 2%, the phase stability deteriorates, discouraging entry of the Cr-bcc phase into solid solution. As a result, microcells form between the Ni-fcc phase serving as the parent phase and the Cr-bcc phase, resulting in an increase in the leaching of metal ions. Accordingly, the molybdenum content in the nickel-base alloy of this invention has been set at 0.1 to 2%. A range of more than 0.1% but less than 0.5% is preferred.
- Nitrogen, Manganese and Magnesium:
- The presence of nitrogen, manganese and magnesium serves to improve the phase stability. That is, nitrogen, manganese and magnesium stabilize the Ni-fcc phase which is the matrix, thus promoting the entry of chromium into a solid solution and discouraging the deposition of a second phase. However, at a nitrogen content of less than 0.001%, there is no phase stabilizing effect. On the other hand, when more than 0.04% is present, nitrides form and the leaching of metal ions in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell increases. Hence, the nitrogen content has been set at 0.001 to 0.04%, and preferably 0.005 to 0.03%.
- Likewise, at a manganese content of less than 0.05%, there is no phase stabilizing effect, whereas the presence of more than 0.5% increases the leaching of metal ions in an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Hence, the manganese content has been set at 0.05 to 0.5%, and preferably 0.1 to 0.4%.
- Similarly, at a magnesium content of less than 0.001%, there is no phase stabilizing effect, whereas the presence of more than 0.05% increases the leaching of metal ions in an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Hence, the magnesium content has been set at 0.001 to 0.05%, and preferably 0.002 to 0.04%.
- Iron and Silicon:
- Iron and silicon have strength-enhancing effects and are thus added as optional ingredients. Iron is effective at a content of 0.05% or more, but when present at above 1%, the leaching of metal ions in an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell increases. Hence, the iron content has been set at 0.05 to 1%, and preferably at least 0.1% but less than 0.5%.
- Similarly, silicon is effective at a content of 0.01% or more, but when present at above 0.1%, the leaching of metal ions in an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell increases. Hence, the silicon content has been set at 0.01 to 0.1%, and preferably 0.02 to 0.05%.
- Carbon:
- Carbon is present as an inadvertent impurity. Carbon forms a carbide with chromium in the vicinity of crystal grain boundaries, increasing the leaching of metal ions. Therefore, the lower the carbon content the better. Hence, the upper limit in the carbon content present among inadvertent impurities has been set at 0.05%. A carbon content of 0% is preferred. The carbon content may be substantially from 0.001 to 0.05%.
- In each example, low carbon-content starting materials were prepared. These starting materials were melted and cast in an ordinary high-frequency melting furnace to produce nickel-base alloy ingots having a thickness of 12 mm. These ingots were subjected to homogenizing heat treatment at 1230° C. for 10 hours. Next, while maintaining the temperature within a range of 1000 to 1230° C., the ingots were reduced to a final thickness of 5 mm by hot rolling at a thickness reduction rate of 1 mm per pass. The resulting plates were then subjected to solid solution treatment in which they were held at 1200° C. for 30 minutes then water quenched. Next, the surfaces were buffed, giving nickel-base alloy plates 1 to 20 according to the invention (Examples 1 to 20) and comparative nickel-base alloy plates 1 to 10 (Comparative Examples 1 to 10).
- In a similar process, low carbon-content starting materials were melted and cast in an ordinary high-frequency melting furnace, thereby producing nickel-base alloy precision-cast ingots having a thickness of 5 mm. These ingots were subjected to homogenizing heat treatment at 1230° C. for 10 hours, then were water quenched. This procedure yielded a nickel-base alloy plate 21 according to the invention (Example 21) having the ingredient composition shown in Table 2.
- A prior-art alloy plate 1 (Prior-Art Example 1) made of SUS304 stainless steel and having a thickness of 5 mm and a prior-art alloy plate 2 (Prior-Art Example 2) made of SUS316L stainless steel and of the same thickness were also prepared.
- These nickel-base alloy plates 1 to 21 (Examples), comparative nickel-base alloy plates 1-10 (Comparative Examples) and prior-art alloy plates 1 and 2 (Prior-Art Examples) were each cut into test pieces having a length of 10 mm and a width of 50 mm. The test pieces were surface polished by finishing with waterproof emery paper #400, following which they were ultrasonically degreased in acetone for five minutes.
- A 1,000 ppm H2SO4 solution and a 500 ppm H2SO4 solution were prepared as test solutions which simulate the sulfuric acid acidic water that forms in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. A 500 ppm HF solution and a 50 ppm HF solution were also prepared as test solutions which simulate the hydrofluoric acid acidic water that forms in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. In addition, polypropylene test containers were prepared for use.
- The test pieces from nickel-base alloy plates 1 to 21 (Examples), comparative nickel-base alloy plates 1 to 10 (Comparative Examples) and prior-art alloy plates 1 and 2 (Prior-Art Examples) were individually placed, together with 200 ml portions of the test solutions prepared above, in the polypropylene test containers. These were then vacuum degassed in a glove box, and sealed by closure with a lid within a hydrogen atmosphere. The sealed polypropylene test containers were placed in a test chamber set at 80° C. and held therein for 500 hours.
- The polypropylene test containers were subsequently removed and cooled, following which the elements that leached out into the H2SO4 solutions and the HF solutions were quantitatively determined by inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy, and the total amount of metal ions that leached from each test piece was measured. This total amount of leached metal ions was divided by the surface area of the test piece to give the amount of leached metal ions per unit surface area. The results are shown in Tables 3 and 4.
TABLE 1 Ni- Ingredient composition (wt %) base Ni and alloy inadvertent plate Cr Ta Mg N Mn Mo Fe Si C# impurities EX 1 30.7 2.01 0.016 0.012 0.18 — 0.12 0.021 0.02 balance EX 2 29.3 2.41 0.014 0.008 0.24 — — — 0.02 balance EX 3 41.6 1.01 0.019 0.011 0.14 — — — 0.01 balance EX 4 37.6 1.11 0.011 0.021 0.29 — — — 0.02 balance EX 5 33.4 2.96 0.012 0.013 0.14 — — — 0.02 balance EX 6 37.6 1.48 0.001 0.014 0.19 — — — 0.02 balance EX 7 34.2 2.36 0.049 0.007 0.16 — — — 0.02 balance EX 8 34.7 2.34 0.016 0.002 0.17 — — — 0.01 balance EX 9 36.4 1.87 0.023 0.039 0.11 — — — 0.02 balance EX 10 35.2 1.96 0.026 0.025 0.05 — — — 0.02 balance EX 11 35.3 2.38 0.021 0.018 0.49 — — — 0.02 balance EX 12 33.6 1.77 0.018 0.029 0.24 0.11 — — 0.02 balance EX 13 34.8 1.98 0.015 0.020 0.16 1.98 — — 0.02 balance EX 14 34.1 1.76 0.033 0.025 0.11 — 0.5 — 0.02 balance EX 15 33.7 1.87 0.031 0.030 0.16 — 0.99 — 0.02 balance EX 16 34.8 2.34 0.026 0.017 0.38 — — 0.01 0.02 balance EX 17 34.8 2.17 0.028 0.021 0.18 — — 0.09 0.03 balance
C# indicates the amount of carbon included as inadvertent impurities.
-
TABLE 2 Ingredient composition (wt %) Ni-base Ni and alloy inadvertent plate Cr Ta Mg N Mn Mo Fe Si C# impurities EX 18 32.5 2.27 0.030 0.006 0.26 0.21 0.14 — 0.02 balance EX 19 35.1 1.75 0.032 0.028 0.23 — 0.33 0.06 0.01 balance EX 20 34.1 1.69 0.021 0.013 0.11 0.22 — 0.04 0.02 balance EX 21 34.7 1.76 0.023 0.027 0.39 0.31 0.24 0.03 0.01 balance CE 1 28.5* 1.56 0.018 0.032 0.24 — — — 0.02 balance CE 2 43.5* 1.86 0.015 0.035 0.21 — — — 0.02 balance CE 3 32.5 0.9* 0.014 0.034 0.13 — — — 0.02 balance CE 4 35.0 3.30* 0.017 0.022 0.27 — — — 0.01 balance CE 5 36.2 1.83 —* 0.012 0.38 — — — 0.02 balance CE 6 35.4 1.62 0.055* 0.015 0.22 — — — 0.02 balance CE 7 35.7 1.45 0.022 —* 0.09 — — — 0.02 balance CE 8 34.8 1.67 0.024 0.045* 0.37 — — — 0.01 balance CE 9 36.1 1.45 0.016 0.019 0.04* — — — 0.01 balance CE 10 34.2 1.57 0.017 0.028 0.55* — — 0.02 balance Prior-Art SUS304 Example 1 Prior Art SUS316L Example 2
*An asterisk indicates a value outside the compositional range of the invention.
C# indicates the amount of carbon included as inadvertent impurities.
-
TABLE 3 Amount of Amount of metal ions metal ions Amount of Amount of leached by leached by metal ions metal ions 1,000 ppm 500 ppm leached by leached by H2SO4 H2SO4 500 ppm HF 50 ppm HF Ni-base solution solution solution solution alloy (ppm/cm2) (ppm/cm2) (ppm/cm2) (ppm/cm2) Example 1 1.01 0.19 0.42 0.18 Example 2 1.18 0.19 0.41 0.21 Example 3 0.30 0.08 0.24 0.05 Example 4 0.42 0.11 0.31 0.07 Example 5 0.86 0.10 0.24 0.15 Example 6 0.49 0.12 0.28 0.09 Example 7 0.77 0.12 0.27 0.13 Example 8 0.74 0.12 0.26 0.13 Example 9 0.60 0.12 0.27 0.10 Example 10 0.67 0.13 0.28 0.12 Example 11 0.72 0.11 0.25 0.12 Example 12 0.74 0.15 0.34 0.13 Example 13 0.69 0.13 0.29 0.12 Example 14 0.70 0.15 0.33 0.12 Example 15 0.74 0.15 0.33 0.13 Example 16 0.74 0.12 0.26 0.13 Example 17 0.72 0.13 0.27 0.12 Example 18 0.87 0.15 0.32 0.15 Example 19 0.65 0.14 0.31 0.11 Example 20 0.69 0.15 0.34 0.12 Example 21 0.67 0.14 0.31 0.12 -
TABLE 4 Amount of Amount of metal ions metal ions Amount of Amount of leached by leached by metal ions metal ions 1,000 ppm 500 ppm leached by leached by H2SO4 H2SO4 500 ppm HF 50 ppm HF Ni-base solution solution solution solution alloy (ppm/cm2) (ppm/cm2) (ppm/cm2) (ppm/cm2) Comp. Ex. 1 3.65 1.98 3.88 2.12 Comp. Ex. 2 2.01 0.96 2.45 1.02 Comp. Ex. 3 2.63 1.56 1.36 0.99 Comp. Ex. 4 1.98 1.05 1.88 0.87 Comp. Ex. 5 cracks arose during test piece fabrication Comp. Ex. 6 2.12 0.98 2.19 0.87 Comp. Ex. 7 cracks arose during test piece fabrication Comp. Ex. 8 3.36 1.12 2.45 1.14 Comp. Ex. 9 cracks arose during test piece fabrication Comp. Ex. 10 2.31 1.12 3.20 1.26 Prior-Art 56.2 19.8 72.1 18.8 Example 1 Prior-Art 33.3 10.2 36.8 9.4 Example 2 - As is apparent from the results shown in Tables 1 to 4, the nickel-base alloy plates in Examples 1 to 21 according to the first to fourth aspects of the invention have much lower amounts of metal ions leached per unit surface area of the test pieces than the
alloy plates 1 and 2 in Prior-Art Examples 1 and 2. The test pieces from the nickel-base alloy plates in Comparative Examples 10 to 10, which fall outside the scope of this invention, either had somewhat high amounts of metal ions leached or gave rise to cracks during machining of the test plates. - In each example, low carbon-content starting materials were prepared. These starting materials were melted and cast in an ordinary high-frequency induction furnace, thereby producing 12 mm thick ingots of the ingredient compositions shown in Tables 5 to 7. These ingots were subjected to homogenizing heat treatment at 1230° C. for 10 hours. Next, while maintaining the temperature within a range of 1000 to 1230° C., the ingots were reduced to a final thickness of 5 mm by hot rolling at a thickness reduction rate of 1 mm per pass. The resulting plates were then subjected to solution heat treatment in which they were held at 1200° C. for 30 minutes then water quenched. Next, the surfaces were buffed, giving nickel-base alloy plates 22 to 41 according to the invention (Examples) and comparative nickel-
base alloy plates 11 to 20 (Comparative Examples) having the ingredient compositions shown in Tables 5 to 7. - In a similar process, low carbon-content starting materials were melted and cast in an ordinary high-frequency melting furnace, thereby producing 5 mm thick precision-cast ingots of the ingredient compositions shown in Table 6. These ingots were subjected to homogenizing heat treatment at 1230° C. for 10 hours, then were water quenched. This procedure yielded a nickel-base alloy plate 42 according to the invention (Example).
- A prior-art alloy plate 3 (Prior-Art Example) made of SUS304 stainless steel and having a thickness of 5 mm and a prior-art alloy plate 4 (Prior-Art Example) made of SUS316L stainless steel and of the same thickness were also prepared.
- These inventive nickel-base alloy plates 22 to 41 (Examples), comparative nickel-base alloy plates 11-20 (Comparative Examples) and prior-
art alloy plates 3 and 4 (Prior-Art Examples) were each cut into test pieces having a length of 10 mm and a width of 50 mm. The test pieces were surface polished by finishing with waterproof emery paper #400, following which they were ultrasonically degreased in acetone for five minutes. - A 1,000 ppm H2SO4 solution and a 500 ppm H2SO4 solution were prepared as test solutions which simulate the sulfuric acid acidic water that forms in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. A 500 ppm HF solution and a 50 ppm HF solution were also prepared as test solutions which simulate the hydrofluoric acid acidic water that forms in the environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. In addition, polypropylene test containers were prepared for use.
- The test pieces from inventive nickel-base alloy plates 22 to 41 (Examples), comparative nickel-
base alloy plates 11 to 20 (Comparative Examples) and prior-art alloy plates 3 and 4 (Prior-Art Examples) were individually placed, together with 200 ml portions of the test solutions prepared above, in the polypropylene test containers. These were then vacuum degassed in a glove box, and sealed by closure with a lid within a hydrogen atmosphere. These sealed polypropylene test containers were placed in a test chamber set at 80° C. and held therein for 500 hours. - The polypropylene test containers were subsequently removed and cooled, following which the elements that leached out into the H2SO4 solutions and the HF solutions were quantitatively determined by inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy, and the total amount of metal ions that leached from each test piece was measured. This total amount of leached metal ions was divided by the surface area of the test piece to give the amount of leached metal ions per unit surface area. The results are shown in Tables 5 to 7.
TABLE 5 Amount of Amount of metal ions metal ions Amount of Amount of leached by leached by metal ion metal ion Ingredient composition (wt %) 1,000 ppm 500 ppm leached by leached by Ni and H2SO4 H2SO4 500 ppm HF 50 ppm HF Ni-base inadvertent solution solution solution solution alloy Cr Mo Mg N Mn Fe Si C# impurities (ppm/cm2) (ppm/cm2) (ppm/cm2) (ppm/cm2) EX 22 44.0 0.90 0.011 0.017 0.06 0.10 0.04 0.02 balance 0.25 0.09 0.90 0.32 EX 23 43.2 0.28 0.039 0.006 0.18 — — 0.02 balance 0.31 0.11 1.12 0.40 EX 24 49.8 0.41 0.030 0.009 0.10 — — 0.03 balance 0.10 0.07 0.37 0.13 EX 25 45.1 0.11 0.022 0.017 0.22 — — 0.02 balance 0.20 0.06 0.71 0.25 EX 26 43.1 1.99 0.026 0.010 0.08 — — 0.02 balance 0.34 0.12 1.17 0.42 EX 27 45.1 0.41 0.034 0.011 0.07 — — 0.01 balance 0.20 0.06 0.72 0.25 EX 28 43.5 0.32 0.038 0.002 0.11 — — 0.02 balance 0.29 0.10 1.05 0.37 EX 29 44.1 0.32 0.037 0.038 0.10 — — 0.02 balance 0.25 0.09 0.90 0.31 EX 30 46.0 0.42 0.002 0.018 0.05 — — 0.02 balance 0.16 0.12 0.62 0.21 EX 31 44.6 0.44 0.049 0.020 0.48 — — 0.01 balance 0.23 0.09 0.81 0.28 EX 32 45.1 0.43 0.034 0.014 0.10 0.05 — 0.02 balance 0.20 0.06 0.73 0.25 EX 33 42.9 0.42 0.014 0.007 0.19 0.99 — 0.02 balance 0.34 0.12 1.29 0.44 EX 34 44.0 0.43 0.015 0.018 0.14 — 0.01 0.02 balance 0.25 0.09 0.94 0.32 EX 35 43.7 0.41 0.027 0.018 0.09 — 0.09 0.02 balance 0.27 0.10 1.02 0.35
C# indicates the amount of carbon included as inadvertent impurities.
-
TABLE 6 Amount of Amount of metal ions metal ions Amount of Amount of leached by leached by metal ion metal ion Ingredient composition (wt %) 1,000 ppm 500 ppm leached by leached by Ni and H2SO4 H2SO4 500 ppm HF 50 ppm HF Ni-base inadvertent solution solution solution solution alloy Cr Mo Mg N Mn Fe Si C# impurities (ppm/cm2) (ppm/cm2) (ppm/cm2) (ppm/cm2) EX 36 43.1 0.42 0.036 0.027 0.14 — — 0.03 balance 0.32 0.12 1.22 0.42 EX 37 46.3 0.34 0.026 0.010 0.26 — — 0.02 balance 0.16 0.06 0.60 0.20 EX 38 44.1 0.42 0.008 0.016 0.22 0.18 0.04 0.02 balance 0.24 0.09 0.93 0.31 EX 39 46.0 0.42 0.034 0.005 0.21 0.11 0.05 0.02 balance 0.18 0.07 0.64 0.21 EX 40 44.6 0.32 0.029 0.022 0.18 0.26 0.03 0.02 balance 0.25 0.08 0.83 0.28 EX 41 43.5 0.44 0.005 0.021 0.09 0.13 0.02 0.02 balance 0.29 0.10 1.10 0.38 EX 42 44.4 0.43 0.023 0.022 0.31 — — 0.01 balance 0.22 0.08 0.88 0.29 CE 11 42.5* 0.51 0.014 0.031 0.22 — — 0.02 balance 4.11 1.45 3.04 1.12 CE 12 50.4* 0.54 0.033 0.034 0.27 — — 0.02 balance cracks arose during test piece fabrication CE 13 44.4 —* 0.026 0.033 0.32 — — 0.02 balance 3.21 0.55 3.25 0.16 CE 14 44.8 2.3* 0.034 0.024 0.25 — — 0.03 balance cracks arose during test piece fabrication CE 15 45.6 0.85 —* 0.013 0.27 — — 0.02 balance cracks arose during test piece fabrication CE 16 45.4 0.61 0.058* 0.015 0.20 — — 0.02 balance 3.33 1.23 3.72 1.23 CE 17 45.3 0.44 0.037 —* 0.07 — — 0.02 balance cracks arose during test piece fabrication
*An asterisk indicates a value outside the compositional range of the invention.
C# indicates the amount of carbon included as inadvertent impurities.
-
TABLE 7 Amount of Amount of metal ions metal ions Amount of Amount of leached by leached by metal ion metal ion Ingredient composition (wt %) 1,000 ppm 500 ppm leached by leached by Ni and H2SO4 H2SO4 500 ppm HF 50 ppm HF Ni-base inadvertent solution solution solution solution alloy Cr Mo Mg N Mn Fe Si C# impurities (ppm/cm2) (ppm/cm2) (ppm/cm2) (ppm/cm2) CE 18 44.2 0.68 0.032 0.045* 0.16 — — 0.02 balance 3.26 1.56 3.01 1.05 CE 19 46.1 0.46 0.035 0.019 0.04* — — 0.01 balance cracks arose during test piece fabrication CE 20 44.7 0.59 0.034 0.026 0.55* — — 0.02 balance 3.42 1.84 3.45 1.88 Prior-Art SUS304 56.2 19.8 72.1 18.8 Example 3 Prior-Art SUS316L 33.3 10.2 36.8 9.4 Example 4
*An asterisk indicates a value outside the compositional range of the invention.
C# indicates the amount of carbon included as inadvertent impurities.
- As is apparent from the results shown in Tables 5 to 7, the nickel-base alloy plates in Examples 22 to 42 according to the fifth and sixth aspects of the invention have much lower amounts of metal ion leached per unit surface area of the test pieces than the
alloy plates - The nickel-base alloys of the invention undergo very little leaching of metal ions in an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Therefore, by assembling polymer electrolyte fuel cells using components made of the nickel-base alloys of the invention, deterioration of the solid electrolyte membrane can be suppressed, enabling polymer electrolyte fuel cells with a longer lifetime to be achieved. This invention will thus be of great industrial benefit.
- As noted above, the nickel-base alloys of the invention are most effective when used in an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell containing sulfuric acid or hydrofluoric acid. However, these nickel-base alloys are not limited only to use under such circumstances, and also undergo very little leaching of metal ions in an environment for forming a polymer electrolyte fuel cell containing formic acid. Furthermore, in addition to use in polymer electrolyte fuel cells, the inventive metal-base alloys can also be used to make components for drug manufacturing equipment from which the leaching of metal ions cannot be tolerated.
Claims (42)
1. A nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, at least 29% but less than 42% chromium, more than 1% and not more than 3% tantalum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen and 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities, the amount of carbon included in the alloy as inadvertent impurities being not more than 0.05%.
2. A nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, at least 29% but less than 42% chromium, more than 1% and not more than 3% tantalum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen, 0.05 to 0.5% manganese and 0.1 to 2% molybdenum, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities, the amount of carbon included in the alloy as inadvertent impurities being not more than 0.05%.
3. A nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, at least 29% but less than 42% chromium, more than 1% and not more than 3% tantalum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen, 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, and one or both of 0.05 to 1.0% iron and 0.01 to 0.1% silicon, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities, the amount of carbon included in the alloy as inadvertent impurities being not more than 0.05%.
4. A nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, at least 29% but less than 42% chromium, more than 1% and not more than 3% tantalum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen, 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, 0.1 to 2% molybdenum, and one or both of 0.05 to 1.0% iron and 0.01 to 0.1% silicon, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities, the amount of carbon included in the alloy as inadvertent impurities being not more than 0.05%.
5. A structural member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 1 .
6. A manifold member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 1 .
7. A pipe member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 1 .
8. A fastener member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 1 .
9. A support plate member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 1 .
10. A separator member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 1 .
11. A nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, more than 43% and not more than 50% chromium, 0.1 to 2% molybdenum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen, and 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities, the amount of carbon included in the alloy as inadvertent impurities being not more than 0.05%.
12. A nickel-base alloy comprising, by mass, more than 43% and not more than 50% chromium, 0.1 to 2% molybdenum, 0.001 to 0.05% magnesium, 0.001 to 0.04% nitrogen, 0.05 to 0.5% manganese, and one or both of 0.05 to 1.0% iron and 0.01 to 0.1% silicon, with the balance being nickel and inadvertent impurities, the amount of carbon included in the alloy as inadvertent impurities being not more than 0.05%.
13. A structural member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 11 .
14. A manifold member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 11 .
15. A pipe member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 11 .
16. A fastener member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 11 .
17. A support plate member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 11 .
18. A separator member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 11 .
19. A structural member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 2 .
20. A structural member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 3 .
21. A structural member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 4 .
22. A manifold member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 2 .
23. A manifold member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 3 .
24. A manifold member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 4 .
25. A pipe member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 2 .
26. A pipe member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 3 .
27. A pipe member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 4 .
28. A fastener member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 2 .
29. A fastener member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 3 .
30. A fastener member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 4 .
31. A support plate member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 2 .
32. A support plate member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 3 .
33. A support plate member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 4 .
34. A separator member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 2 .
35. A separator member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 3 .
36. A separator member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 4 .
37. A structural member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 12 .
38. A manifold member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 12 .
39. A pipe member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 12 .
40. A fastener member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 12 .
41. A support plate member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 12 .
42. A separator member for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which member is made of the nickel-base alloy according to claim 12.
Applications Claiming Priority (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2003-44416 | 2003-02-21 | ||
JP2003044417A JP4174715B2 (en) | 2003-02-21 | 2003-02-21 | Ni-based alloy with extremely low ion elution in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell environment |
JP2003044416 | 2003-02-21 | ||
JP2003-44417 | 2003-02-21 | ||
JP2004027444A JP4174722B2 (en) | 2003-02-21 | 2004-02-04 | Ni-based alloy with extremely low ion elution in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell environment |
JP2004-27444 | 2004-02-04 | ||
PCT/JP2004/001995 WO2004074528A1 (en) | 2003-02-21 | 2004-02-20 | Ni BASE ALLOY |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060165553A1 true US20060165553A1 (en) | 2006-07-27 |
Family
ID=32912840
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/546,130 Abandoned US20060165553A1 (en) | 2003-02-21 | 2004-02-20 | Ni base alloy |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060165553A1 (en) |
EP (2) | EP1908854B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004074528A1 (en) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20010018139A1 (en) * | 2000-01-24 | 2001-08-30 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Fuel gas production system for fuel cells |
US20020172849A1 (en) * | 2001-04-06 | 2002-11-21 | Qinbai Fan | Low cost metal bipolar plates and current collectors for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells |
US20030068523A1 (en) * | 2001-02-28 | 2003-04-10 | Yasushi Kaneta | Corrosion-resistant metallic member, metallic separator for fuel cell comprising the same, and process for production thereof |
US20030134174A1 (en) * | 2000-12-28 | 2003-07-17 | Jun Akikusa | Fuel cell module and structure for gas supply to fuel cell |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH05311386A (en) * | 1992-05-08 | 1993-11-22 | Kobe Steel Ltd | Powdery material for thermal spraying excellent in corrosion resistance and erosion resistance at high temperature |
JPH0790440A (en) * | 1993-09-20 | 1995-04-04 | Sumitomo Special Metals Co Ltd | Metallic material for fused carbonate type fuel cell |
JPH09256087A (en) * | 1996-03-18 | 1997-09-30 | Mitsubishi Materials Corp | Heat transfer tube for waste heat boiler utilizing waste incineration exhaust gas, excellent in high temperature corrosion resistance |
JP4719948B2 (en) * | 1999-06-16 | 2011-07-06 | 住友電気工業株式会社 | Separator for polymer electrolyte fuel cell |
JP3864771B2 (en) * | 2001-12-05 | 2007-01-10 | 三菱マテリアル株式会社 | Corrosion-resistant Ni-base alloy separator plate for high-strength polymer electrolyte fuel cells that can be thinned |
CN100338247C (en) * | 2002-01-08 | 2007-09-19 | 三菱麻铁里亚尔株式会社 | Nickel-based alloy with excellent corrosion resistance in inorganic-acid-containing supercritical water environment |
JP2005317479A (en) * | 2004-04-30 | 2005-11-10 | Daido Steel Co Ltd | Metal separator for fuel cell, its manufacturing method, metallic material for fuel cell and fuel cell |
-
2004
- 2004-02-20 EP EP07121127A patent/EP1908854B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-02-20 WO PCT/JP2004/001995 patent/WO2004074528A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2004-02-20 EP EP04713189A patent/EP1595963A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2004-02-20 US US10/546,130 patent/US20060165553A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20010018139A1 (en) * | 2000-01-24 | 2001-08-30 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Fuel gas production system for fuel cells |
US20030134174A1 (en) * | 2000-12-28 | 2003-07-17 | Jun Akikusa | Fuel cell module and structure for gas supply to fuel cell |
US20030068523A1 (en) * | 2001-02-28 | 2003-04-10 | Yasushi Kaneta | Corrosion-resistant metallic member, metallic separator for fuel cell comprising the same, and process for production thereof |
US20020172849A1 (en) * | 2001-04-06 | 2002-11-21 | Qinbai Fan | Low cost metal bipolar plates and current collectors for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1908854A1 (en) | 2008-04-09 |
EP1595963A4 (en) | 2006-06-14 |
EP1908854B1 (en) | 2011-10-19 |
EP1595963A1 (en) | 2005-11-16 |
WO2004074528A1 (en) | 2004-09-02 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
KR101597721B1 (en) | Titanium material for solid polymer fuel cell separators, method for producing same, and solid polymer fuel cell using same | |
EP1235290B1 (en) | Stainless steel separator for fuel cells, method for making the same, and solid polymer fuel cell including the same | |
EP1717329A1 (en) | Ferritic stainless steel for solid polymer fuel cell separator and solid polymer fuel cell | |
WO2011013832A1 (en) | Stainless steel for fuel cell separators which has excellent electrical conductivity and ductility, and process for production thereof | |
CN103882266A (en) | Nickel-based alloy for fused salt reactor and preparation method of nickel-based alloy | |
JP3397169B2 (en) | Austenitic stainless steel and polymer electrolyte fuel cell for polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator | |
JP2000294255A (en) | Solid high polymer fuel cell | |
JP2003187828A (en) | Ferritic stainless steel for solid oxide type fuel cell member | |
WO2006012129A2 (en) | Stainless steel alloy and bipolar plates | |
US20060165553A1 (en) | Ni base alloy | |
JP4174722B2 (en) | Ni-based alloy with extremely low ion elution in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell environment | |
JP2007191763A (en) | Austenitic stainless steel for separator of polymer-electrolyte fuel cell, and separator of fuel cell | |
JP5217755B2 (en) | Stainless steel for fuel cell separator and fuel cell separator | |
JP4174715B2 (en) | Ni-based alloy with extremely low ion elution in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell environment | |
JP2000303151A (en) | Ferritic stainless steel for conducting electrical parts, solid high polymer type fuel battery separator and solid high polymer type fuel battery | |
JP2005166276A (en) | Stainless steel for solid polymer fuel cell separator, the solid polymer fuel cell separator using the same, and solid polymer fuel cell | |
JP2000328205A (en) | Ferritic stainless steel for conductive electric parts and fuel cell | |
US7014938B2 (en) | Separator for fuel cell | |
JP2000265248A (en) | Ferritic stainless steel for solid high polymer type fuel battery separator | |
JP2020111806A (en) | Stainless steel sheet and method for producing the same, separator for fuel battery, fuel battery cell, and fuel battery stack | |
KR102497442B1 (en) | Austenitic stainless steel for polymer fuel cell separator with improved contact resistance and manufacturing method thereof | |
CN110212210B (en) | Stainless steel base material, separator for fuel cell, and fuel cell | |
US20230032485A1 (en) | Stainless steel for separator of polymer fuel cell having excellent corrosion resistance | |
JP6308330B2 (en) | Titanium alloy, titanium material, separator, cell, and polymer electrolyte fuel cell | |
KR101819697B1 (en) | Austenitic stainless steel having excellent corrosion resistance at welded part and high-temperature creep resistance and method of manufacturing the same |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SUGAHARA, KATSUO;REEL/FRAME:017688/0570 Effective date: 20050630 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |