An advanced nickel alloy with a specially designed chemistry to provide maximum oxidation resistance at the most extreme temperatures and controlled precipates to maximize creep strength. A leading vacuum furnace supplier has selected this alloy as a suitable material for bar baskets in their most demanding application, 2300 F and pressure quenching. Baskets fabricated from all other alloys tested lasted between 5 and 10 cycles before requiring extensive, labor intensive straightening. The new alloy baskets have been used for over 30 cycles, with minimal distortion. This extended life eliminates several straightening cycles and the high labor costs associated with manual straightening and reassembly.

In today’s competitive world of globalization and low cost manufacturing, it is essential that when engineering a job, to get it right the first time. This is especially true for capital equipment with a high cost and long expected lifetimes. It is even more critical, when the equipment must operate at high temperatures, and different potential for failure exists. In order to do it right the first time, engineers must understand high temperature properties, and incorporate these principles into the decision making process for materials. Some of these properties are intrinsic, some are affected by environment, and some are governed by thermodynamic and kinetic changes to the material at the operating temperatures. All must be considered.

RA 602 CA (also known as 602 CA and NiCroFer 6025, which are trademarks of VDM) is one of the best heat resistant alloys. It has excellent creep strength even at high temperatures, and oxidation resistance up to 2250°F. It is being used in an increasing number of new applications in the toughest of high temperature environments with success.