FE8385 Invar 36 Sheet Annealed

Invar 36 Sheet Annealed Description

Invar 36 Sheet Annealed is a specialised nickel-iron alloy featuring an extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion, ensuring dimensional stability across a wide range of temperatures. This makes it an ideal choice for high-precision applications in aerospace, electronics, and cryogenic industries, where consistent performance is critical. Annealing enhances the material’s ductility and formability, allowing for easy fabrication into complex shapes. Our Invar 36 Sheet is available in customisable dimensions, ensuring a perfect fit for your specific project requirements.

We adhere to strict quality control measures throughout the manufacturing process, ensuring each sheet meets exacting standards for composition, grain structure, and strength. Whether you need to construct delicate instruments or large-scale assemblies, our Invar 36 Sheet Annealed delivers dependable performance and precision in the most demanding environments.

Invar 36 Sheet Annealed Applications

Invar 36 Sheet Annealed is recognised for its remarkably low coefficient of thermal expansion, making it ideal for high-precision applications across multiple industries. This nickel-iron alloy offers outstanding dimensional stability even under wide temperature fluctuations, as well as excellent toughness and strength. Combined with ease of fabrication, it remains a popular choice where consistent performance is essential.

1. Aerospace Applications

·         Thermal Control Panels: Maintain stable dimensions in satellite and aircraft components to ensure reliable performance during temperature shifts.

·         Composite Tooling Moulds: Provide accurate moulds for carbon-fibre and other composite parts, minimising dimensional deviations in production.

2. Electronics & Precision Devices

·         Photomasks: Require consistent dimensional accuracy for high-precision circuit patterning and semiconductor photolithography.

·         Optical Mounts: Depend on controlled expansion properties to safeguard lens alignment in sensitive optical systems.

3. Industrial Instrumentation

·         Calibration Fixtures: Deliver stable reference points for precise measuring equipment, reducing errors caused by thermal fluctuations.

·         Microbalances: Enhance measurement reliability by mitigating the effects of thermal expansion on ultra-sensitive weighing devices.

Invar 36 Sheet Annealed Packaging

Invar 36 sheets are carefully protected with specialised wrapping materials that minimise mechanical damage. For extra defence against corrosion, a vacuum-sealed environment or airtight barrier is used, ensuring minimal moisture and oxygen exposure. Rust inhibitors are often applied for extended storage. Custom packaging, like reinforced crates or pallets, can be provided to accommodate unique shipping or storage requirements.

Packaging: Vacuum sealed, Wooden Box, or Customised.

Invar 36 Sheet Annealed FAQs

Q1: What are the key material properties of Invar 36 Sheet Annealed?

A1: Invar 36 Sheet Annealed is a nickel-iron alloy typically containing around 36% nickel, prized for its exceptionally low coefficient of thermal expansion. It remains dimensionally stable across a broad temperature range, making it ideal for precision instruments and applications requiring tight tolerances. Annealing relieves internal stresses, ensuring uniform mechanical properties, improved ductility, and consistent performance. It also exhibits good weldability, moderate strength, and reliable corrosion resistance in many environments.

Q2: How can Invar 36 Sheet Annealed be processed or fabricated?

A2: Invar 36 can be cold worked, formed, and machined using typical equipment, though it requires careful handling due to its tendency to work-harden. Low-speed machining with adequate lubrication is recommended to minimise tool wear. Welding processes, like TIG or MIG, are feasible, but controlling heat input is essential to preserve dimensional stability. Final annealing at approximately 800–1 000°C can reduce residual stresses and restore the material’s optimum characteristics.

Q3: Which quality standards and certifications apply to Invar 36 Sheet Annealed?

A3: Invar 36 Sheet Annealed generally meets ASTM F1684 requirements, which specify chemical composition, mechanical properties, and testing methodologies. Additional industry standards, such as AMS or equivalent aerospace-grade specifications, may also apply for critical applications. Certified mills often hold ISO 9001 or AS9100 certifications to ensure rigorous quality management systems. Suppliers typically provide material test reports (MTRs), confirming compliance with these standards and guaranteeing traceability to the original production lot.

Related Information

1. Material Properties and Advantages

Invar 36 Sheet Annealed is recognised for its exceptionally low coefficient of thermal expansion, providing unmatched dimensional stability even under fluctuating temperatures. Its nickel-iron composition, with approximately 36% nickel content, ensures that thermal deformation is kept to a minimum, making these sheets highly valued for precision instruments and critical assemblies. The annealing process further enhances this remarkable property by relieving internal stresses, ensuring the material retains its uniformity and structural integrity across various environments.

Due to this specialised composition and thermal consistency, Invar 36 Sheet Annealed is especially adaptable to customised dimensions without compromising its core advantages. These sheets maintain their stability over a broad temperature range, which is critical for applications that demand exacting tolerances. By offering flexible sizing options, manufacturers can tailor each sheet to meet precise project specifications while safeguarding their investment through reduced material wastage and reliable performance.

2. Applications in Advanced Industries

Technological sectors that require precise dimensional accuracy, such as aerospace and electronics, often employ Invar 36 Sheet Annealed as a key material for critical tasks. Whether for satellite components or intricate electronic parts, the sheet’s low expansion rate ensures minimal distortion under operational stresses, helping to maintain consistent system performance. This unique stability is particularly beneficial in environments where temperature changes can compromise the accuracy of high-value instruments and devices.

Utilising customised dimensions, engineers can fit Invar 36 Sheet Annealed into complex systems without sacrificing long-term reliability or spending excessive resources on post-processing. Emerging fields, including semiconductor manufacturing and optical instrumentation, rely on the sheet’s uniform thermal properties to uphold their demanding production standards. As modern industries continue to push the boundaries of miniaturisation and precision, this grade of sheet offers a foundation for technological advancements that demand unmatched dimensional control.