Alloy 301，Duranickel 301 Sheet，

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Alloy 301 (Duranickel 301 Wire) - Introduction with Composition, Properties, Applications and Product Forms

Alloy 301, commercially known as Duranickel 301, is a nickel-copper-aluminum superalloy celebrated for its exceptional combination of high strength, good corrosion resistance, and excellent spring properties. This versatile material is available in a wide range of forms to meet diverse industrial needs, including Bar (Round bar, Flat bar), Ribbon, Wire, Rods, Tube, Pipe, Foil, Plate, Sheet, Strip, and Forging Stock. Duranickel 301 Wire, in particular, is highly valued for its superior elasticity and fatigue resistance, making it ideal for precision spring applications and intricate components. Below is a detailed overview of its chemical composition, key properties, practical applications, and available product forms.

Chemical Composition

The precisely engineered chemical composition of Alloy 301 (Duranickel 301) is fundamental to its unique performance characteristics. The typical composition (by weight) is as follows:

Nickel (Ni): 87-90% (primary matrix element, providing a stable base for corrosion resistance and high-temperature stability)

Copper (Cu): 4.0-5.0% (enhances strength and improves corrosion resistance in specific environments, such as seawater)

Aluminum (Al): 2.3-2.8% (critical for precipitation hardening, forming intermetallic phases that significantly boost strength)

Titanium (Ti): 0.3-0.7% (aids in grain refinement and works with aluminum to promote strengthening precipitates)

Iron (Fe): ≤ 1.0% (balances the alloy and enhances mechanical stability at ambient temperatures)

Manganese (Mn): ≤ 0.5% (improves fabricability and prevents hot cracking during welding)

Carbon (C): ≤ 0.10% (controlled to minimize carbide formation, preserving ductility and corrosion resistance)

Silicon (Si): ≤ 0.5% (assists in deoxidation during manufacturing)

Trace elements: Sulfur (S) ≤ 0.01%, Phosphorus (P) ≤ 0.02% (kept low to ensure weldability and grain boundary strength)

This carefully balanced composition synergistically delivers the alloy's signature combination of high strength, spring properties, and corrosion resistance, making it ideal for demanding mechanical applications.

Key Properties

Alloy 301 (Duranickel 301 Wire) and its various forms exhibit a robust set of properties that make them indispensable in high-stress and corrosive environments:

Mechanical Properties (room temperature, heat-treated condition):

Tensile strength: 1300-1500 MPa (188,500-217,500 psi)

Yield strength (0.2% offset): 1100-1300 MPa (159,500-188,500 psi)

Elongation (in 50 mm): 5-10% (moderate ductility, sufficient for forming into springs and complex shapes)

Hardness: 38-45 HRC (indicating high strength and excellent wear resistance)

Fatigue strength: 600-700 MPa (87,000-101,500 psi) at 10⁷ cycles (superior fatigue resistance, critical for spring applications)

High-Temperature Performance:

Thermal stability: Maintains significant strength up to 400°C (752°F), with tensile strength remaining above 1000 MPa at 300°C (572°F)

Creep resistance: Exhibits good creep resistance at 200-300°C (392-572°F), suitable for long-term service under sustained stress

Oxidation resistance: Resists oxidation in air up to 600°C (1112°F), forming a protective oxide layer that prevents rapid degradation

Corrosion Resistance:

General corrosion resistance: Good resistance to seawater, brines, and atmospheric corrosion, making it suitable for marine and outdoor applications

Chemical resistance: Resistant to dilute acids, alkaline solutions, and organic chemicals, though not recommended for strong oxidizing acids

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC): Resistant to SCC in most environments, including chloride-containing solutions, under moderate stress

Physical Properties:

Density: 8.6 g/cm³ (0.311 lb/in³)

Thermal conductivity: 19 W/(m·K) at 20°C (68°F)

Melting point: 1350-1400°C (2462-2552°F)

Coefficient of thermal expansion: 13.0 μm/(m·K) (20-100°C)

Modulus of elasticity: 210 GPa (30,500 ksi) at room temperature

Product Forms

Alloy 301 (Duranickel 301) is manufactured in a diverse range of forms to accommodate specialized industrial processes and applications:

Bar: Available as Round bar (diameters from 6 mm to 200 mm) and Flat bar (thickness 5 mm to 100 mm, width 15 mm to 500 mm), ideal for machining into high-strength fasteners, gears, and mechanical components.

Ribbon: Thin, flat strips (thickness 0.1 mm to 2 mm, width 5 mm to 100 mm) used in precision springs, electrical contacts, and corrosion-resistant gaskets.

Wire: Duranickel 301 Wire (diameters 0.1 mm to 10 mm) offers excellent elasticity and formability, making it perfect for coil springs, torsion springs, and wire forms in high-stress applications.

Rods: Solid cylindrical rods (diameters 3 mm to 50 mm) suitable for structural supports and small-scale mechanical components requiring high strength.

Tube and Pipe: Seamless options (outer diameter 5 mm to 150 mm, wall thickness 0.5 mm to 10 mm) for fluid transport in corrosive environments where strength is critical.

Foil: Ultra-thin sheets (thickness 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm) used in lightweight springs and corrosion-resistant barriers in precision instruments.

Plate and Sheet: Flat forms (plate: thickness 4 mm to 80 mm; sheet: 0.3 mm to 4 mm) for fabricating high-strength structural parts and corrosion-resistant panels.

Strip: Narrow, flat strips (thickness 0.1 mm to 3 mm, width 10 mm to 200 mm) for precision manufacturing in springs, clips, and electrical components.

Forging Stock: Billets and ingots for hot forging into complex shapes such as valve components, pump parts, and mechanical linkages.

Applications

The exceptional properties of Alloy 301 (Duranickel 301 Wire) across its various forms make it a preferred material in industries requiring high strength, elasticity, and corrosion resistance:

Aerospace and Aviation:

Aircraft components: Springs and clips (from wire and strip) for landing gear, engine mounts, and control systems; bars machined into high-strength fasteners.

Aerospace instrumentation: Precision springs and diaphragms (from foil and ribbon) for pressure sensors and control valves.

Spacecraft systems: Lightweight structural components (from plate and sheet) and springs resistant to extreme temperature fluctuations.

Marine and Offshore:

Shipbuilding: Springs and fasteners (from wire and bar) for marine engines and deck equipment, resisting seawater corrosion.

Offshore platforms: Tension springs and cable clamps (from wire and strip) exposed to salt spray and harsh weather.

Subsea equipment: Corrosion-resistant components (from tube and rod) for underwater sensors and machinery.

Industrial and Mechanical Engineering:

Springs and fasteners: Coil springs, torsion springs, and leaf springs (from wire, strip, and ribbon) for heavy machinery, automotive suspensions, and industrial valves.

Mechanical components: Gears, shafts, and linkages (from bar and forging stock) requiring high strength and wear resistance.

Electrical equipment: Contacts and connectors (from strip and wire) with good conductivity and spring properties.

Specialized Applications by Form:

Wire: Precision coil springs in automotive fuel injectors, valve springs in industrial pumps, and tension wires in aerospace control systems.

Strip and Ribbon: Clips, clamps, and leaf springs in electrical enclosures and mechanical assemblies.

Bar and Rod: High-strength fasteners, shafts, and gears in heavy machinery and power transmission systems.

Plate and Sheet: Structural panels in high-performance vehicles and corrosion-resistant covers for industrial equipment.

In summary, Alloy 301 (Duranickel 301 Wire) — available in forms from Bar and Wire to Plate and Forging Stock — delivers exceptional high strength, superior spring properties, and reliable corrosion resistance. Its diverse product forms enable tailored solutions across aerospace, marine, and industrial sectors, establishing it as a critical material in high-stress mechanical applications.

Packing of Standard Packing: 

Typical bulk packaging includes palletized plastic 5 gallon/25 kg. pails, fiber and steel drums to 1 ton super sacks in full container (FCL) or truck load (T/L) quantities. Research and sample quantities and hygroscopic, oxidizing or other air sensitive materials may be packaged under argon or vacuum. Solutions are packaged in polypropylene, plastic or glass jars up to palletized 2904 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request.