Materials database

Weldable high-strength 7xxx aluminium — unique because most 7xxx alloys have poor weldability. Low Cu content gives better SCC resistance than 7075. Good mechanical property recovery after welding. Used for railway carriages, military bridges, mobile cranes, aircraft freight containers, and structural transport components.

Ultra-high-strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy — Zn 7.2-8.4%, higher than 7075 (5.1-6.1%). T73 temper: UTS 510-570 MPa with improved stress corrosion resistance over T6. Used for aircraft structural forgings (landing gear, wing spars), missile components, and high-strength fasteners. Developed for thick-section forgings where 7075-T6 SCC resistance is insufficient.

High-strength aerospace aluminium developed by Alcoa for thick-plate applications. Zr addition (instead of Cr) reduces quench sensitivity for superior properties in thick sections. T7451 temper gives excellent SCC resistance + fracture toughness. Used for fuselage frames, bulkheads, wing spars, and thick structural aerospace components.

THE aerospace aluminum — Al-Zn5.6-Mg-Cu precipitation-hardened to the highest strength of any common aluminum alloy. T6 strength rivaling mild steel at 1/3 the density. Poor weldability and corrosion resistance vs 5xxx/6xxx. Used for aircraft wing skins, fuselage frames, high-stress structural components, and competitive cycling/climbing equipment. Often Alclad for corrosion protection.

The classic high-strength aerospace aluminium alloy. Al-Zn-Mg-Cu composition provides the highest strength of all common aluminium alloys in T6 temper. Poor weldability and limited corrosion resistance. Used for aircraft structures, M16 rifle receivers, rock climbing gear, and precision mold plates.

High-purity damage-tolerant Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy — controlled Fe+Si (<0.22% total) for maximum fracture toughness. T7351: UTS 490-530 MPa with KIc ~33 MPa√m (vs ~26 for 7075-T6). THE alloy for fatigue-critical fuselage skins where crack growth rate matters most. Used for lower wing skins, fuselage skins of wide-body aircraft (Boeing 747/777), and any primary structure requiring damage tolerance.

Ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber — THE outdoor/weather elastomer. Saturated backbone gives outstanding ozone, UV, and weathering resistance. Excellent resistance to steam, hot water, and polar solvents. NOT resistant to oils/fuels (opposite of NBR). Good electrical insulation. ρ 0.85-1.3 (lightest common rubber). Used for automotive door/window seals, roofing membranes, radiator hoses, HVAC gaskets, and pond liners.

Fluoroelastomer — THE high-temperature and chemical-resistant rubber. Outstanding resistance to oils, fuels, acids, and solvents at temperatures up to 200°C (short-term 230°C). Fluorine content (64-70%) determines chemical resistance. Trade names: Viton (Chemours), Tecnoflon (Solvay), Dai-El (Daikin). 5-10x more expensive than NBR. Used for aerospace fuel seals, chemical process seals, automotive fuel injector O-rings, semiconductor processing, and any seal exposed to aggressive chemicals at high temperature.

Cr-Mo-V hot-work tool steel — close relative of H13 with slightly lower C and V. Good hot hardness, thermal fatigue resistance and toughness. Used for forging dies, extrusion tooling, mandrels, and die-casting tools. Often preferred over H13 where higher toughness is needed.

The most widely used hot-work tool steel globally. Excellent combination of hot hardness, toughness, and thermal fatigue resistance. Used for die-casting dies (aluminum, zinc, magnesium), forging dies, extrusion tooling, and hot shear blades.

Improved version of Hastelloy C-276 with better resistance to oxidizing media and higher chromium. Considered the most versatile Ni-Cr-Mo alloy for chemical processing. Resists both oxidizing and reducing acids, chlorides, and mixed media. Used for flue gas desulfurization, pharmaceutical, and universal chemical processing.

The most versatile corrosion-resistant alloy available. Ni-Mo-Cr-W composition resists both oxidizing and reducing environments. Outstanding resistance to pitting, stress corrosion cracking, and wet chlorine gas. Used in chemical processing, flue gas desulfurization, pulp & paper, and waste treatment.

Nickel-chromium-iron-molybdenum solid-solution superalloy — exceptional combination of oxidation resistance, fabricability, and high-temperature strength. NOT age-hardenable (solid-solution only). Oxidation-resistant to 1200°C, good ductility after 16000h at 650-870°C. Outstanding formability and weldability for a superalloy. Used for gas turbine combustor cans, transition ducts, afterburners, furnace hardware, and petrochemical process equipment.

Nickel-chromium-tungsten alloy — THE combustor can material for gas turbines. Outstanding oxidation resistance to 1149°C for prolonged exposure. Excellent long-term thermal stability (no sigma/mu phase after 16000h at 649-870°C). Lower thermal expansion than most high-temp alloys. Lanthanum addition improves oxide scale adherence. Used for gas turbine combustion cans, transition ducts, furnace retorts, and catalyst grids in nitric acid production.

Standard cobalt high speed steel with 5% Co — the most widely used cobalt HSS grade. Also known as M35 or HSS-E/HSSE. Better hot hardness and cutting performance than M2, lower cost than M42. HRC 64-66 hardened. The "go-to upgrade" when M2 performance is insufficient. Used for drill bits (HSS-Co branded), taps, end mills, saw blades, and general-purpose cutting tools for stainless steel and medium-hard alloys.

Nickel-iron-chromium alloy with Mo, Cu, and Ti additions. Excellent resistance to both reducing and oxidizing acids, stress corrosion cracking, and pitting. Cost-effective alternative to pure Ni alloys. Used in chemical processing, pollution control, oil/gas recovery, and acid production.

Nickel-chromium-iron alloy — the standard engineering material for combined heat and corrosion resistance. Not precipitation hardenable. Virtually immune to chloride-ion stress corrosion cracking. Service from cryogenic to 1095°C. Used for furnace components, nuclear steam generators, chemical plant equipment, and food processing.

Nickel-chromium-iron alloy with aluminum for outstanding high-temperature oxidation resistance up to 1200°C. The Al forms a protective oxide scale resistant to spalling under cyclic thermal conditions. Better oxidation resistance than Inconel 600 (which lacks Al). Used for furnace hardware (baskets, trays, fixtures), radiant tubes, thermocouple protection tubes, catalyst support grids, and thermal reactors in automotive exhaust systems.

Nickel-chromium-cobalt-molybdenum alloy for the highest temperature service of any Inconel — continuous use to 1000°C+. Unique combination of high-temperature strength, oxidation resistance, and carburization resistance. 12% Co for solid-solution strengthening at extreme temperature. ASME Code Case N-47-28 for nuclear service to 950°C. Used for gas turbine combustors, petrochemical reformer tubes, catalyst grid supports, and next-generation nuclear heat exchangers (VHTR).

Nickel-chromium-molybdenum-niobium superalloy. Solid-solution strengthened (no precipitation hardening required). Outstanding corrosion resistance from cryogenic to 982°C. Used for jet engine exhaust systems, marine components, chemical processing, flare stacks, and nuclear applications.

High-chromium (27-31%) nickel alloy — THE nuclear PWR steam generator tube material, replacing Inconel 600 due to superior SCC resistance. Ni 58% min + Cr 30% = exceptional resistance to oxidizing media, nitric acid, and high-temperature atmospheres. Also used for coal gasification, radioactive waste processing, and sulfuric/hydrofluoric acid environments.

THE most widely used aerospace superalloy. Precipitation-hardened Ni-Cr-Fe alloy strengthened by gamma-prime and gamma-double-prime phases (Nb). Unique slow aging kinetics allow welding without cracking. UTS >1275 MPa aged. Used for gas turbine discs, jet engine components, rocket motors, cryogenic tanks, and oil/gas downhole tools. Service to 700°C.

Age-hardenable Ni-Cr-Fe superalloy for high-temperature spring and fastener applications. Strengthened by gamma-prime precipitation (Al+Ti). Oxidation and corrosion resistant to ~700°C service. Used for gas turbine springs, rocket engine thrust chambers, nuclear reactor components, and high-temp fasteners.

Liquid Crystal Polymer — self-reinforcing aromatic polyester with outstanding flow into thin walls (<0.2mm). Extremely low moisture absorption (0.02%), minimal warpage, excellent dimensional stability. Near-zero creep. Inherently flame-retardant (V-0 at 0.2mm). Very high HDT (>270°C). Trade names: Vectra (Celanese), Zenite (DuPont), Siveras (Toray). THE micro-connector and SMT-reflow-compatible polymer. Used for SMD connectors, fiber optic ferrules, chip carriers, sensors, and ultra-thin-wall electronic housings.