Modern science and high-tech industry are impossible without precision alloys — materials with unique physical characteristics achieved through a strictly controlled chemical composition and production technology. These alloys are used in a wide variety of fields: from magnetic transformer cores and thermostable components of measuring instruments to aircraft engine turbine parts and sealed spacecraft connections.
The history of the creation of precision alloys is a path of scientific discovery, engineering experiments and continuous improvement. Let us consider how this field of metallurgy developed, what alloys have become key and how they are used today.
Invar is the first precision alloy developed at the end of the 19th century by the French physicist Charles Edouard Guillaume. The scientist was looking for a more affordable alternative to expensive platinum-iridium alloys to create standards of length and weight. In the first half of the 20th century, the field of use of precision alloys expanded significantly: they were used in aviation, electrical engineering, and instrument making.
After World War II, rapid scientific and technological progress caused an increase in demand for materials with high performance accuracy. Precision alloys have become actively used in radio electronics due to their stable magnetic and electrical properties.
These alloys they are characterized by high magnetic permeability and low coercive force, which makes them ideal for working in alternating magnetic fields: transformers, throttles, electromagnets and various sensors.
Permalloy is an iron-nickel alloy with high magnetic permeability and low coercive force, developed in 1913 by engineer Gustav Elmen at Western Electric (later Bell Labs) laboratories.
During the rapid development of telephone communication and radio, engineers were faced with the problem of signal losses in transformers. Conventional ferromagnets (for example, iron) had too high a coercive force, which caused energy losses during remagnetization. In the 1860s, telegraph cables were only 10 to 12 words per minute. In 1902, Carl Emil Krarup proposed wrapping the cable with iron wire to compensate for losses, which would increase inductance and turn it into a loaded line to reduce distortion. However, iron was not sufficiently permeable to compensate for transatlantic cable length. After a lengthy search, it was discovered that wrapping it with permalloy tape made it possible to quadruple the speed of signal transmission via telegraph cable.
Appearance permalloy in 1913, it was the result of research by American engineer Gustav Elmen, who sought to create a material with the best magnetic characteristics. Classic permalloy contained 79% nickel and 21% iron, and this composition is still considered one of the optimal.
Stages of permalloy development:
Today, permalloy is widely used in modern pulse transformers, microcircuits, medical equipment, magnetic screens, and even in precision mechanical devices.
Another alloy developed in 1929 by Gustav Elmen at Bell Labs in the United States. The permendure was created due to the need for materials with improved magnetic properties for a growing number of electrical and electronic devices. The researchers experimented with different combinations of metals to improve the magnetic characteristics of the materials. As a result, it was developed permendure — an alloy of iron, cobalt and vanadium.
Key advantages of the permendure:
Since its inception, the permendure has been widely used in various industries, including electrical engineering, electronics and instrument making. Its unique magnetic properties have made it an indispensable material for creating efficient and reliable devices.
Permendur is used in the manufacture of:
At PZPS, you can purchase cold-rolled tape from permalloy stamps 50N, 50NP, 79NM and permendure 49K2FA-VI — an alloy with high magnetic uniformity and stable characteristics after heat treatment.
A number of technical problems require that when temperatures fluctuate over a wide range, the material does not change its geometric dimensions. This is important in instrument making, optical technology, aerospace, nuclear power and electronics.
Discovery invara (from English. invariable, i.e. “unchanging”) belongs to Swiss physicist Charles Edouard Guillaume, who in 1908 found that when an iron alloy contains ~ 36% nickel, the coefficient of thermal expansion drops sharply. This discovery was the result of long experiments and research in the field of alloys and led to a revolution in precision engineering and measurement technology. For opening an invar Charles Guillaume won the Nobel Prize in 1920.
Alloy features:
Invar practically does not change its size when the temperature changes over a wide range. This property has made invar a valuable material for the manufacture of parts and equipment where dimensional stability is important.
Invar application:
Brand 36N, produced at the PZPS, meets the classic characteristics of an invar and is successfully used in the most important tasks.
Kovar — an iron-nickel-cobalt alloy designed to combine metal and borosilicate glass. Its temperature coefficient of linear expansion is selected to coincide with the TCLR of glass, which prevents the destruction of sealed cases during thermal cycling.
The exact date of the creation of the kowar is unknown, but its discovery took place around the same time as Invara, at the beginning of the 20th century. This alloy was developed for use in conditions of temperature changes.
Kovar is an alloy with a unique TCLR that is close to the expansion coefficient of borosilicate glass: 4.9—5.1×10₂ 1/°C. Applications:
At PZPS, you can buy cold-rolled strip made of Kovar brand 29NK, which ensures tight and reliable connections between metals and ceramics or glass.
Such materials have been used in heating elements and resistors.
Fehral — an alloy of iron, chromium and aluminum. It has high heat-resistant properties and is widely used in industry for the manufacture of heating elements.
There is no exact data on the time and place of creation of the fehral, but its development dates back to the period of active development of metallurgy and electrical engineering in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. At this time, scientists and engineers around the world were looking for new materials that could withstand high temperatures and be resistant to corrosion.
Fehral was developed as a material that can withstand extreme operating conditions, such as high temperatures and an oxidizing environment. Due to its unique properties, it quickly found application in various industries, including the production of electric heaters, furnaces and other devices that require increased heat resistance of materials.
Fechral properties:
Over time fehral has become one of the most popular materials for the manufacture of heating elements due to its reliability, durability and relatively low cost. He continues be used in various industries to this day.
PZPS produces cold-rolled fechral alloy strips of X15Yu5, X23U5 and X23U5T grades.
Nichrome (from the words “nickel” and “chrome”) was developed in 1905 by Albert Marsh, an English physicist and metallurgist, and was the first material widely used in household electric heaters.
Composition:
Benefits:
Initially, nichrome was used in industry to create heating elements for electric ovens, toasters, hair dryers and other equipment. Over time, nichrome has found use in other areas, including aviation, astronautics and the chemical industry. It is used to create parts that must withstand high temperatures.
Today, nichrome continues to be one of the most popular materials for the manufacture of heating elements and other parts that require high heat resistance and corrosion resistance. At PZPS, you can buy cold-rolled nichrome strip X15N60-N — for household heaters, X20N80-N — for high-temperature applications and laboratory equipment.
Precision alloys have become an integral part of modern industry and science. Their creation is the result of many years of research, engineering ingenuity and the continuous development of metallurgical technologies. Permalloy, Invar, Kovar, Permendur, Fechral and Nichrome combine accurate and complex calculations phase diagrams and control at the atomic level. Satellites, electronic devices, medical sensors and high-temperature units are impossible without them.
PZPS makes a significant contribution to the development and production of precision materials. Our company cooperates with scientific institutes and provides industry high-quality materials.
At the PZPS you can order cold rolled strip from all the alloys described (permalloi, invar, kovar, permendur, fechral, nichrome).
PZPS is your reliable partner in production high-precision materials. We provide consistent quality, technical support and an individual approach to each client.
