High Temperature Alloys
There is an incredible range of high temperature alloys; however,
nickel seems to be the most popular metallic base used in high temp alloys. In addition to nickel-based alloys, some popular non-nickel-based high temperature alloys include zirconium alloys, tantalum alloys and
tungsten alloys. Chromium is another metallic element that is popular in high temperature alloys, not as a base but in a small amount like 20%, in order to provide the alloy with superior oxidation and corrosion resistance. As a result of their high performance characteristics, high temperature alloys are advantageous for applications in industries such as: industrial manufacturing, in which the alloys are used for
heat treating equipment and components such as flame holders, furnace baffles and more; electronics, for usage in components such as printed wiring board (PWB) plating systems; aerospace, to be utilized in thrust reverse assemblies, jet engines, fuel nozzles, rocket motors and more; and power generation, in nuclear power components such as nuclear reactors and nuclear steam generator tubing.
Although there is a broad spectrum of high temperature alloys, there are some that are much more commonly utilized than others, particularly in industrial applications. These more popular types of high temperature alloys include Hastelloy®, Inconel® and Haynes®. While Hastelloy® and Inconel® are both examples of nickel-based high temperature alloys Haynes® is an example of a cobalt-based high temperature alloy. Cobalt-based high temperature alloys comprise the second largest group of high temperature alloys, right behind the nickel-based alloys. Hastelloy® is characterized by other properties besides high temperature resistance, including the ability to survive under high-stress and within highly corrosive environments. Predominantly formed from nickel, other alloying elements found in Hastelloy® include molybdenum, chromium, manganese, titanium and carbon. Also predominantly a nickel alloy, Inconel® also contains a large amount of chromium as well as smaller amounts of elements such as iron, copper, silicone and manganese. Inconel® features extreme oxidation and corrosion resistance. Lastly, Haynes® is predominantly formed from cobalt but can also include elements such as copper, chromium, manganese and iron. Certain grades of Haynes® offer beneficial characteristics such as high carburization, nitriding and galling resistance.