Why are nickel-chromium alloys used in jet engines and gas turbines?

Nickel-chromium alloys are essential for jet engines and gas turbines because they provide the high strength, surface stability, and corrosion resistance required to operate under extreme temperatures and severe mechanical stress.12

While nickel alone has limited inherent resistance to oxidation at high temperatures, the addition of 15–20 percent chromium vastly improves this resistance. These superalloys are further enhanced by the addition of elements such as cobalt, tungsten, molybdenum, titanium, aluminum, and niobium, which allow the materials to maintain their structural integrity in the demanding environment of a turbine. Specifically, the inclusion of small amounts of aluminum and titanium enables these alloys to be strengthened through precipitation treatment.21

The development of these specialized nickel-chromium compositions was a critical breakthrough that made the modern jet-aircraft engine possible. Today, they remain the predominant material used in the turbine sections of jet engines and are increasingly utilized for industrial power applications.21