Feature

High-performance alloys: Picking the right material

Alloy Wire International’s Andrew du Plessis explores the ever-changing world of the high-performance alloy and why spring manufacturers’ pursuit of more demanding applications means picking the right material will become even more complex.

04/01/2022 15:22:56

High-performance alloys (HPAs), often referred to as ‘superalloys’, are materials that exhibit certain key characteristics which make them suited for use in highly demanding applications.

These include resistance to high temperatures, good mechanical strength, resistance to creep (deformation through long-term exposure to high levels of stress), and resistance to oxidation or corrosion.

Whilst they have been around for a couple of centuries in basic forms, the development of many of the HPAs now commonplace in industry was driven in the first half of the 20th century, by the advent of the jet engine. This required materials that could work at higher temperatures and withstand higher levels of stress than many pre-existing materials...

Read the full article in DPA's January issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.