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FAQs about ALLVAR
Yes! ALLVAR Alloys are titanium-based alloys that are corrosion-resistant, non-magnetic, and can be welded to Ti-6-4 and other ALLVAR Alloy components.
No, the elements in ALLVAR alloys are non-toxic.
Currently, we provide:
- Solid bar up to 2.25″ in. round
- Tube up to 3 in. OD, depending on the wall thickness
- Rod as small as 1/8 in. diameter
- Constant force-load washers for fasteners in temperature variant environments
There are many applications and products that negative CTE ALLVAR Alloys can improve! Some of the most notable are space telescopes, optics used in extreme environments, lens housings, cryostats and cryogenic equipment, and unique scientific instruments. Negative thermal expansion alloys are novel, so if your application is not on the list, we would love to help!
ALLVAR Alloys can be used to achieve net zero linear thermal expansion. Negative thermal expansion ALLVAR Alloys can compensate for positive thermal expansion components along an axial direction. The CTE of an assembly can be tuned to a specific value, negative, positive, or zero CTE. Learn more in this video or contact us to talk to one of our thermal expansion experts.
No. Additional processing is not needed to achieve ALLVAR Alloys novel, patented negative thermal expansion capabilities.
ALLVAR Alloys have similar magnetic properties to other titanium-based alloys, which are generally considered non-magnetic.
We are in the process of getting negative CTE ALLVAR Alloys into space, and we expect to achieve that goal within the next 1-2 years. ALLVAR Alloys are true Titanium alloys and behave as such. We do not foresee any problems with ALLVAR’s performance in space. You can read about our projects to bring ALLVAR Alloys to space here or contact us to see what we can do in space.
Since ALLVAR Alloys are made of true metals, they behave like all other metals do in a vacuum. There is no moisture or other material component that would cause problems from outgassing.
Yes! We have successfully welded ALLVAR Alloys to Ti-6-4 and other ALLVAR pieces.
We have two alloys currently available, and each alloy has a different operating temperature.
- ALLVAR Alloy 30 operates from cryogenic temperatures to 100 °C
- ALLVAR Alloy HT, our newest alloy, operates from cryogenic temperatures to 250 °C
Let us know if you have an application outside of these temperature ranges. We are material scientists at heart and would love the opportunity to develop a higher temperature NTE alloy.
ALLVAR Alloys are designed for companies that have extreme performance requirements and need a customized solution for performance critical applications. ALLVAR Alloys are for previously unachievable size, length, and weight requirements, where plastic titanium, or aluminum will not make the cut.
ALLVAR Alloy 30 is not available in powder form for 3D printing.
Please contact us! We are just as much a team of material engineers as we are material manufacturers. We pride ourselves on being a transparent and solution-oriented team that will tell you if ALLVAR Alloys are right for you. If ALLVAR Alloys are not right for you, we are more than happy to suggest an alternative solution that will fit your needs.