About the TCS Ni-based Superalloys Database (TCNI)

TCS Ni-based Superalloys Database (TCNI) is a thermodynamic and properties database for Ni-based alloys and superalloys. All necessary volume data (including molar volume and thermal expansivity) for various alloy phases is available. The database also comes with the description of electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity, as well as surface tension and viscosity of the liquid. In addition, the elastic moduli and elastic constants are also included.

TCNI13 Thermophysical and Elastic Properties

Ni-based superalloys exhibit excellent mechanical strength and resistance to creep at high temperatures, good surface stability and fatigue, resistance to oxidation and hot corrosion. The nickel–aluminum system is the binary basis for Ni-based superalloy compositions. As the amount of aluminium added is large enough, an ordered L12 phase (γ’) forms from the FCC matrix (γ) with the nominal composition of Ni3Al. Today's superalloys can also be based on cobalt or nickel-iron. All these kinds of alloys usually contain at least ten alloying elements, with each one being added for a specific purpose. Due to this complexity in chemistry, it has traditionally taken a long time to optimize properties of existing alloys and to develop completely new alloys.

The database has been developed in a CALPHAD spirit with all of the constituent binary systems assessed for their full range of composition including all phases, plus all of the Ni-rich ternary systems, and many other ternary systems as well, in order to give an accurate thermodynamic description of the multicomponent systems of interest for various Ni-based alloys and superalloys including, but not limited to:

  • Hastelloy and the Haynes alloys
  • Inconel alloys
  • Waspaloy
  • René alloys
  • Incoloy
  • TMS alloys
  • CMSX single crystal alloys
  • Experimental Co-based superalloys and medium- to high-entropy alloys

The database can be used with our entire suite of products: Thermo-Calc, the Add-on Diffusion (DICTRA), Precipitation (TC-PRISMA), and/or Additive Manufacturing Modules, and all available SDKs.

The thermodynamic database is compatible with the corresponding mobility database TCS Ni-alloys Mobility Database (MOBNI) that provides kinetic data for those working with the add-on kinetic modules – the Diffusion Module (DICTRA) and the Precipitation Module (TC-PRISMA) – as well as a few specific calculation types, such as Scheil with back diffusion. The current version of the mobility database is MOBNI6.

TCS Ni-based Superalloys Database (TCNI) is also integral to the Nickel Model Library, which is a package of property models used to set up calculations in the Property Model Calculator that are common to those working with nickel-based alloys. The library includes models intended for those working in the nickel industry: Antiphase Boundary Energy, Coarsening, Equilibrium with Freeze-in Temperature, Solvus for Ordered Phase, and Strain-Age Cracking.

The Nickel Model Library is available for free to all users who have licenses for both of the nickel databases TCNI (version 11 or newer) and MOBNI (version 5 or newer) and valid Maintenance & Support Subscription (M&SS).

There are examples available to both demonstrate the validation of the database and to showcase the types of calculations that can be used for different materials or application areas depending on the database.

About the Database Examples

Some general use case examples of how the TCNI13 database can be used include the following. Use it to calculate:

  • Isothermal or vertical section phase diagrams
  • Liquidus temperatures
  • γ’ solvus temperatures
  • Partitioning of alloying elements between γ and γ’ phases
  • Amount of phases at varying temperatures
  • Predict Young's modulus with elastic properties

Then in combination with the Add-on Diffusion (DICTRA), Precipitation (TC-PRISMA), and/or Additive Manufacturing Modules you can also calculate such things as:

  • Interdiffusion in coating/substrate systems
  • Diffusion in ordered γ’ and B2 phases
  • Growth or dissolution of minor phases, such as TCP phases and carbides
  • Concurrent nucleation, growth/dissolution and coarsening of precipitates
  • Temporal evolution of particle size distribution
  • Average particle radius and number density

It is possible to combine several databases to make calculations using Thermo‑Calc. For more information related to a specific type of problem, contact one of our support specialists at info@thermocalc.com. The experts are available to make recommendations on the most suitable database to use for your needs.

TCNI: TCS Ni-based Superalloys Database Revision History. The current version of the database is TCNI13. See the link for any subversion release details.

Dr. Nathalie Dupin and Prof. Bo Sundman are acknowledged for many valuable discussions and important contributions during the original development, implementation and improvements to this database.