The nickel-cobalt-chromium wrought Alloy 780 (DIN no. 2.4960) was developed for aerospace engine or other components for a potential operation temperature higher than 700°C. The higher level of mechanical strength in comparison to Alloy 718 makes Alloy 780 a promising candidate for replacement of Alloy 718, which application is limited in the operation temperature up to max, 650°C due to the instability of the gamma double prime phase that transforms into the delta-phase after longer exposure times at those higher temperatures, and of other alloys that are used at higher operation temperatures. Alloy 780 has the additional advantage of a better hot workability in comparison to certain other alloys that are used for operation temperatures at 700°C or higher. Whereas these alloys, that are used for those higher operation temperatures, are difficult to weld or even not weldable. Alloy 780 has a good weldability behaviour due to relatively low precipitation kinetics based on a moderate aluminium content of approx. 2.1 wt.% and a low titanium content of approx. 0.3 wt.%. Therefore Alloy 780 exhibits an advantage for wide application areas.

Because of the good weldability of Alloy 780 VDM Metals International has seen the potential to develop this alloy for additive manufacturing processes as well. VDM Metals has successfully produced powder and evaluated processing ability of Alloy 780 in additive manufacturing processes like the laser powder bed fusion process.

Within this report investigation results of printed test specimens of Powder Alloy 780 are presented with respect to examined mechanical properties from tensile tests at ambient temperature and elevated temperatures at and higher than 650°C and results of stress- rupture and creep tests at high test temperatures as well. The test results will be compared between forged and printed test specimens of Alloy 780 and with mechanical properties of printed Alloy 718 and will be discussed to the properties of other alloys as well.

The potential of Powder Alloy 780 gave the motivation for a development of a high temperature version of Powder Alloy 780 for higher operation temperatures especially for additive manufacturing applications.