How precision alloys differ from other metals

The development of high-tech industries has led to an increase in requirements for the metals used. Now the physical and mechanical characteristics of some of them must strictly comply with regulated standards.

Modern industry needs materials whose electrical resistance, ductility, strength, corrosion resistance and other parameters exactly correspond to specified values. The logical response to this request was the production of precision alloys — alloyed metals that have the required set of performance qualities. Their main difference from other similar materials is their strict compliance of the chemical composition with established standards.

What are precision alloys

The content of alloying additives, classification, marking, technical characteristics and applications of precision alloys are regulated by GOST 10994-74. According to this document, such materials are divided into several main groups:

• alloys with regulated elastic properties — have a unique ability to return to their original state after deformation; they are used in springs, sensitive elements and other products where shape stability under static and dynamic loads is important;
• superconducting steels — a special class of precision alloys that have unique electrical properties at low temperatures (-269°C... +20°C) are widely used in creating cryogenic equipment, as well as superconducting magnets and magnetic systems;
• materials with high electrical resistance — they have high plasticity and increased resistance to corrosion, make it possible to produce wire with a thickness of 0.02 mm, which has almost the same electrical resistance along its entire length, and are used for the manufacture of heating elements for both household appliances and industrial equipment;
• metals with a given coefficient of thermal expansion — the change in the linear dimensions of parts made of such materials when the temperature rises by 1°C is strictly regulated, which makes it possible to use them in instruments and devices that require accurate measurements and stable operation under various temperature conditions;
• soft magnetic steels — have high magnetic permeability, which makes them ideal for use in areas where good compliance with magnetic fields is required; they are used in the manufacture of transformers, induction sensors and other devices for which it is important to minimize energy losses;
• magnetic-hard materials — are able to hold strong magnetic fields, which is why they are widely used in permanent magnets, magnetic systems and various electromechanical devices;
• thermobimetals — they consist of two or more layers of metals connected over the entire surface, are characterized by the ability to change their shape when the temperature rises or falls, which makes them valuable for use in various protection devices, such as relays, circuit breakers, fuses, etc.

Accurate compliance of the chemical compositions of precision alloys with the data specified in regulatory documents is a fundamental requirement, as this makes it possible to ensure stable and predictable properties of materials, which is important for their successful use in various technical and scientific fields.

Where precision alloys are used

In industry, the alloys presented are used in the manufacture of high-precision parts and tools, where it is necessary to ensure strict dimensional compliance and shape stability. They are also used in electronics and electrical engineering to create components with certain electrical properties, as well as in medicine for the production of medical equipment and implants.

In scientific research, precision steels play a key role in creating complex test benches and laboratory facilities. Their precise properties and unique characteristics allow scientists to conduct the most reliable experiments and obtain reliable results. In technological processes, such materials are used to create sensors, controllers and other devices that provide automatic control and regulation in various systems.

However, production of precision alloys is a complex and technologically demanding process. The manufacture of these materials requires strict adherence to chemical formulas and fusion processes, as well as careful quality control at every stage of production. Today, the St. Petersburg PZPS plant is the only metallurgical enterprise in Russia capable of providing a full cycle of production of such materials — from smelting metal to sending it to the customer cold rolled strip or wires a few microns thick.

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