MP159,MP159 Plate,UNS R30159

MP159,MP159 Wire,UNS R30159

MP159 (MP159 Wire, UNS R30159) - Introduction with Composition, Properties, Applications and Product Forms

MP159, designated by UNS R30159 and recognized for its high-performance wire and diverse product forms, is a cobalt-nickel-chromium-molybdenum superalloy celebrated for its exceptional combination of high strength, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability. This alloy is specifically engineered to retain mechanical integrity under extreme stress, harsh chemical environments, and moderate high temperatures, making it a critical material in aerospace, oil and gas, and medical industries. It is available in a comprehensive 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. MP159 Wire, in particular, stands out for its uniform strength, flexibility, and precision, making it ideal for applications like aerospace cables, medical devices, and high-pressure springs. Below is a detailed overview of its chemical composition, key properties, practical applications, and available product forms.

Chemical Composition

The precisely balanced chemical composition of MP159 (MP159 Wire, UNS R30159) is the foundation of its exceptional strength, corrosion resistance, and versatility. The typical 

composition (by weight) is as follows:

Cobalt (Co): 35-39% (the primary matrix element, enhancing high-temperature strength and fatigue resistance)

Nickel (Ni): 33-37% (improves ductility, corrosion resistance, and compatibility with bodily fluids for medical use)

Chromium (Cr): 18-20% (forms a protective oxide layer, delivering excellent oxidation and general corrosion resistance)

Molybdenum (Mo): 4.5-5.5% (strengthens the alloy matrix and boosts resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments)

Tungsten (W): 1.5-2.5% (adds additional high-temperature strength through solid-solution strengthening)

Iron (Fe): ≤ 1.0% (minimized to preserve corrosion resistance and mechanical stability)

Carbon (C): ≤ 0.03% (kept low to avoid carbide formation, which can reduce corrosion resistance and ductility)

Silicon (Si): ≤ 0.15% (aids in deoxidation during manufacturing without compromising properties)

Manganese (Mn): ≤ 0.15% (enhances hot workability for forming into diverse product shapes)

Phosphorus (P): ≤ 0.015% (strictly limited to prevent grain boundary embrittlement)

Sulfur (S): ≤ 0.01% (minimized to ensure good ductility and resistance to stress corrosion cracking)

This engineered blend of elements delivers MP159’s signature high strength, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability—critical for performance in demanding operational environments.

Key Properties

MP159 (MP159 Wire, UNS R30159) and its various forms exhibit exceptional properties that make them indispensable in high-stress, corrosive, and moderate high-temperature 

applications:

Mechanical Properties (cold-worked and aged condition):

Tensile strength: 1800-2000 MPa (261,000-289,600 psi) at room temperature (among the highest for corrosion-resistant cobalt-based alloys)

Yield strength (0.2% offset): 1400-1600 MPa (203,000-232,000 psi) at room temperature

Elongation (in 50 mm): 12-18% (excellent ductility for forming complex shapes despite high strength)

Reduction of area: 25-35% (superior toughness, resisting fracture under dynamic or cyclic stress)

Hardness: 45-50 HRC (Rockwell hardness, reflecting exceptional wear and abrasion resistance)

High-Temperature Properties:

Continuous service temperature: Up to 600°C (1112°F) (retains strength and corrosion resistance for prolonged use)

Creep resistance: Good resistance to creep deformation at temperatures up to 400°C (752°F), suitable for moderate high-temperature components like aerospace fasteners

Thermal stability: Maintains mechanical properties after repeated thermal cycling, critical for components exposed to fluctuating temperatures

Corrosion Resistance:

General corrosion: Excellent resistance to seawater, brines, industrial chemicals, and acidic environments, outperforming standard stainless steels

Pitting and crevice corrosion: Superior resistance to pitting in chloride-rich environments (e.g., offshore oil platforms, marine equipment)

Oxidation resistance: Good resistance to oxidation in air at temperatures up to 600°C (1112°F), with minimal scaling

Biocompatibility: Non-toxic, resistant to bodily fluids, and compatible with sterilization processes, making it suitable for medical implants and tools

Physical Properties:

Density: 8.3-8.5 g/cm³ (0.299-0.307 lb/in³)

Thermal conductivity: 12-14 W/(m·K) at 20°C (68°F)

Coefficient of thermal expansion: 11.5-13.5 μm/(m·K) (20-400°C) (low expansion, reducing thermal stress in precision components)

Modulus of elasticity: 220-230 GPa (31,900-33,400 ksi) at room temperature

Melting point: 1280-1330°C (2336-2426°F)

Product Forms

MP159 (MP159 Wire, UNS R30159) is manufactured in a diverse range of forms to accommodate specialized high-strength and corrosion-resistant applications:

Bar: Available as Round bar (diameters from 5 mm to 200 mm) and Flat bar (thickness 3 mm to 100 mm, width 10 mm to 500 mm), ideal for machining into high-stress components like shafts, fasteners, and valve stems.

Ribbon: Thin, flat strips (thickness 0.05 mm to 1 mm, width 2 mm to 100 mm) used in precision springs, electrical contacts, and flexible seals for high-pressure systems.

Wire: MP159 Wire (diameters 0.05 mm to 6 mm) offers exceptional strength and flexibility, suitable for aerospace cables, medical sutures, and high-performance springs.

Rods: Solid cylindrical rods (diameters 2 mm to 50 mm) used for manufacturing surgical tools, pins, and small mechanical components.

Tube and Pipe: Hollow forms (outer diameter 3 mm to 100 mm, wall thickness 0.1 mm to 10 mm) for high-pressure fluid handling (e.g., oil and gas pipelines, medical catheters).

Foil: Ultra-thin sheets (thickness 0.001 mm to 0.1 mm) used in flexible corrosion barriers, battery components, and thin-film electrical parts.

Plate and Sheet: Flat forms (plate: thickness 1 mm to 50 mm; sheet: 0.1 mm to 1 mm) for fabricating structural components, pressure vessel liners, and medical implant bases.

Strip: Narrow, flat strips (thickness 0.05 mm to 2 mm, width 2 mm to 50 mm) for precision components like seal rings, spring clips, and electrical connectors.

Forging Stock: Billets and ingots for hot forging into complex shapes (e.g., aerospace engine parts, heavy machinery components) requiring high strength and uniformity.

Applications

The exceptional strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility of MP159 (MP159 Wire, UNS R30159) across its various forms make it a critical material in industries requiring high performance under extreme conditions:

Aerospace and Aviation:

Aircraft engines: Fasteners, shafts, and small structural components (from bar, rod, and forging stock) withstanding high stress and temperature fluctuations.

Airframe systems: High-strength cables, springs, and connectors (from wire, strip, and ribbon) resisting corrosion from humidity and aerospace fluids.

Space applications: Precision components and fasteners (from plate, forging stock, and wire) enduring vacuum and thermal cycling in space environments.

Medical and Biomedical:

Implants: Orthopedic screws, dental fixtures, and small joint components (from bar, plate, and wire) offering biocompatibility and long-term durability.

Surgical tools: Precision instruments and catheter tips (from wire, rod, and tube) resisting corrosion from autoclaving and bodily fluids.

Medical devices: Springs for pacemakers and drug delivery systems (from wire and ribbon) requiring reliable performance in vivo.

Oil and Gas Industry:

Offshore equipment: Valves, fittings, and downhole sensors (from bar, tube, and forging stock) resisting seawater corrosion and high pressure.

Drilling components: Small drill bits, tool joints, and pressure vessel parts (from plate, rod, and forging stock) withstanding abrasive fluids and harsh downhole environments.

Marine and Defense:

Marine hardware: Fasteners, propeller components, and cable connectors (from bar, wire, and plate) resisting seawater corrosion.

Military systems: Small armor parts, missile components, and underwater sensors (from forging stock, plate, and tube) offering high strength and corrosion resistance.

Industrial and High-Performance Machinery:

High-pressure systems: Seal rings, valve seats, and fittings (from strip, tube, and bar) handling corrosive fluids at extreme pressures.

Precision machinery: Springs, gears, and small shafts (from wire, rod, and strip) maintaining performance in high-speed or cyclic operations.

Specialized Applications by Form:

Wire: Aerospace cables, medical sutures, and high-performance springs for industrial machinery.

Tube/Pipe: Medical catheters and oil/gas downhole fluid transport lines.

Bar/Plate: Structural components, fasteners, and medical implants requiring high strength.

Forging Stock: Complex aerospace engine parts and heavy machinery components.

In summary, MP159 (MP159 Wire, UNS R30159) — available in forms from Bar and Wire to Plate and Forging Stock — delivers exceptional strength, corrosion resistance, and versatility. Its diverse product forms enable tailored solutions across aerospace, medical, oil and gas, and defense sectors, establishing it as a critical material in applications requiring reliable performance under extreme conditions.

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 1307 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request.