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What Are Metal Standards and Why Are They Important?
When sourcing metals, it is of critical importance to have a uniform and consistent means of assuring metal properties meet the desired performance characteristics. Learn more about metal standards in our informative eBook.
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The Aerospace Industry
Continental Steel provides our partners in the aerospace industry with the necessary titanium, nickel, aluminum, copper and stainless grades to meet their strict project requirements.
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From the Blog
A DFARS-Compliant Materials Guide
Having a continual supply of DFARS-compliant materials is necessary for a wide range of Department of Defense (DoD) applications. With the growing demand for DFARS metals, contractors capable of meeting DFARS material requirements stand to gain a major competitive edge. Learn more about the types of DFARS-compliant materials and what a reputable supplier looks like. What Is DFARS-Compliant Material? DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement) is a set of restrictions on certain types of metals allowed on DoD projects. These restrictions extend to any contractor tasked with supplying or manufacturing specialized metals for sensitive military applications. DFARS also sets rigorous cybersecurity standards for sensitive defense-related data. There isn't a single comprehensive list of DFARS metals. Rather, meeting DFARS regulations in full also requires following numerous separate conditions that are subject to change. The primary conditions are: Metal and Alloy Type: Only specific types of metals and alloys are covered by DFARS compliance standards. Alloying Content: DFARS further sets standards for each metal's ratio of alloying elements, so the alloying content of compliant metals must fall within accepted limits. Melting Method and Country of Origin: The melting method for a given metal and the location of the melting process are also governed by DFARS. Only metals from specific countries are acceptable sources of DFARS metals. DoD contractors must heed strict purchase order requirements that often invoke an extensive list of DFARS regulations. One of the most common requirements is DFARS Clause 252.225-7009, "Restriction on Acquisition of Certain Articles Containing Metals." This clause requires that all stainless steel, titanium, and other “Metals” be melted in the United States or one of several "Qualifying Countries." DFARS Approved Countries Below is a current list of Qualifying DFARS Approved Countries for 2024: Australia Austria Belgium Canada Czech Republic Denmark Egypt Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Israel Italy Japan Latvia Luxembourg Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey United Kingdom of Great Britain Northern Ireland Types of DFARS Metals & Alloys DFARS regulations cover the following metals and alloys as well as other metals: Steel Titanium and titanium alloys Zirconium and zirconium alloys Nickel and iron-nickel alloys Cobalt base alloys Why Choose Continental Steel & Tube for Your DFARS Needs? Since 1985, Continental Steel & Tube Company has established a lasting reputation as a trusted and dependable supplier of DFARS metals. We meet and exceed the most rigorous quality standards, including ISO 9001:2015 and AS9120B:2016. Our reputation as a leading DFARS material supplier is based on the following: Expertise: Continental Steel & Tube has a thorough understanding of DFARS regulations and has a long history of supplying clients with compliant materials. Material Selection: We specialize in numerous DFARS metals and alloys, including various types of stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, and titanium. Quality Assurance: Our ISO 9001:2015 and AS9120 Rev. B certifications exemplify our commitment to quality and consistency. We continually refine our quality assurance processes so we can meet new DFARS compliance challenges as they arise. Compliance Support: We know how difficult navigating DFARS material standards can be. Our metal experts work closely with each client to understand their needs and help them select the right materials for their application. We also heed all DFARS data security standards. Contact Continental Steel & Tube for DFARS Compliant Materials & Support Continental Steel & Tube is committed to meeting the strictest material standards and project requirements for specialized defense applications. We've earned continual recognition since our founding as a leading global supplier of metals. By maintaining distribution centers in every region of the U.S., we match our commitment to quality with an equally reliable distribution network. Continental Steel & Tube helps our clients navigate the complex regulatory requirements of their industry, including DFARS and many others. To learn more about DFARS-compliant materials, contact us or request a quote today.
Exploring the Versatile Applications of Nickel Alloy in Various Industries
Nickel alloys have many beneficial properties. They play a crucial role in multiple industries. As a member of the iron group, the material is ductile, hard, malleable, and easy to work with. It’s also a fairly good conductor of electricity and heat and can resist corrosion at high temperatures, making it a good choice for aerospace, electrical, and chemical processing applications. Depending on the needs of a particular project, nickel alloys come in a variety of stock forms and shapes, including sheet, coil, & plate. At Continental Steel & Tube Company, we are a specialty supplier of all forms and grades of nickel. Whether you require nickel tube, pipe, sheet, bar, wire, plate, fittings, or more, we have the right solution for you. Understanding the Grades of Nickel and Nickel Alloys Nickel 200 and 201 are considered commercially pure nickel grades. This means that they contain at least 99% nickel, with the other 1% or less consisting of iron, copper, manganese, carbon, and other metals. Nickel 200. This is the most commonly used of the commercially pure nickel alloy grades. Many industries use Nickel 200 and 201 alloys because of its superior thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance against caustic alkalis, and mechanical properties. Other favorable properties of Nickel 200 include ideal magnetostrictive properties and minimal electrical resistivity. Nickel 201. Nickel 201 is similar to Nickel 200 but with a lower carbon content (0.02% max). This slight modification provides improved resistance to graphitization at elevated temperatures, making it suitable for applications where high-temperature and corrosion resistance are required. Nickel Alloys. In addition to these two types of pure nickel, there are various types of nickel alloys, including: Alloy 20 155 188 255 Monel® 400 Inconel® 600 Inconel® 601 Inconel® 617 Inconel® 625 Inconel® 718 Incoloy® 800H/HT Incoloy® 825 A286 / A-286 Hastelloy® C22 / C-22 Hastelloy® C276 / C-276 Hastelloy® X Inconel® X-750 Invar® 36 Invar® 42 Haynes® 25 / L-605 Monel ® K-500 Rene® 41 Waspaloy® Alloy 6B Custom 455 Hastelloy® B3 Kovar Applications of Nickel Plates, Sheets, and Coils in Different Industries Numerous applications and industries rely on nickel plates and other forms of nickel alloy. Aerospace Industry Aerospace companies often use nickel alloys in engine parts because of their high level of heat resistance and ability to hold up in extreme environments. Nickel sheets are frequently used to produce airframes, spacecraft components, and jet engines due to their resistance to heat and corrosion. Chemical Industry Chemical processing equipment is often constructed using nickel plates, coils, and sheets for their chemical-resistant properties. Specific applications in this industry include pipes, reactors, and other chemical plant equipment. Automotive Industry Nickel plates are commonly used to produce various vehicle components to enhance their appearance and corrosion resistance. Automotive manufacturers also utilize nickel sheets for electric vehicle battery production due to their high energy density. Electrical Industry Nickel sheets and plates are frequently used in battery components and electronic connectors because of their good electrical conductivity. The material’s magnetic properties also make it a suitable option for magnetic storage devices such as hard drives. Medical Industry Nickel's corrosion-resistant and biocompatible properties make it useful in fabricating surgical implants and equipment. Nickel-titanium alloys are particularly popular in dental wires, stents, and other medical devices. Choose Continental Steel for Your Nickel Plates, Sheets, Tubes, Bars, Coils, and More If you require high-quality nickel plates, sheets, tubes, bars, or coils for your application, Continental Steel offers a wide range of nickel alloys and products to meet your needs. With ideal properties such as improved versatility, increased corrosion resistance, toughness, heat resistance, and more, nickel alloys offer the ideal solution for a diverse range of industries and applications. Contact us or request a quote today for more information about our extensive selection of nickel alloy products.
Copper, Brass & Bronze in the Aerospace Industry
Click to Expand The aerospace industry depends on various aerospace-grade alloys to ensure aircraft parts and components meet the industry's high standards. These components must withstand the demands of air travel, including heavy loads, high temperatures, abrasion, and corrosion. Due to their properties, copper, brass, and bronze are used extensively in the aerospace industry. They are ideal materials for manufacturing aircraft components with excellent wear and corrosion resistance, such as bearings, bushings, and wheel and brake parts. Here, we will explore the copper, brass, and bronze alloys used in aerospace manufacturing, including the common components produced and the unique benefits these materials offer. Aerospace Grade Alloys Aerospace-grade alloys are used in many applications, including pylons, hydraulic pump parts, tail and wing actuators, brake and wheel parts, cargo door bushings, landing gear bushings, and bearings. Aerospace alloys address the unique challenges of aircraft applications, which must reliably handle abrasion, corrosion, and heavy loads. Aerospace-grade alloys include the following: AMS 4533 (C17200) Beryllium Copper AMS 4616 (C65620) Silicon Bronze AMS 4634 (C64200) Silicon Aluminum Bronze AMS 4640 'H' (C63000) Nickel Aluminum Bronze AMS 4842 (C93700) High Leaded Tin Bronze '80-10-10' AMS 4862 (C86300) Manganese Bronze AMS 4871 (C95400) Aluminum Bronze '9C' AMS 4881 'D' Continuous Cast (C95520) Nickel Aluminum Bronze C67300 (SAE J463, J461) Manganese Bronze AMS 4589, AMS 4590, AMS 4596, AMS 4597, AMS 4880 C26000, C63020, C72900, C95510, C95520, C11000 Uses of Copper, Brass & Bronze Alloys in the Aerospace Industry The aerospace industry requires special materials to manufacture components that conform to the industry's strict high-performance standards. Brass offers unique engineering qualities that fit the demands of aerospace applications. Its exceptional corrosion resistance makes it an excellent material for brake and wheel parts as well as bearings and bushings for cargo doors and landing gears. Bronze is also a common aerospace material that can be heat-treated to increase its strength and mechanical properties. Also used for landing gear bushings, bronze is ideal for withstanding challenging conditions like high temperatures, abrasion, and heavy loads. Bronze with high silicon content is also suitable for aerospace applications due to its exceptional mechanical properties and self-lubrication. The uses of bronze, brass, and copper aerospace alloys for the aerospace industry include the manufacture of: Flap and slap carriages Flight controls Flight instruments Ground equipment Hatch and door mechanisms Helicopter controls Hydraulic actuators Landing gear bearings and bushings Missile vane controls Static joints Steering joints Warhead delivery systems Wheel bearings Why Continental Steel? Aircraft alloys must safely and reliably carry fighter pilots, astronauts, commercial airline passengers, cargo, and more. Thus, aerospace materials must comply with aerospace specifications and offer high strength, corrosion resistance, and lightweight construction. Aerospace-grade copper, brass, and bronze alloys are common choices because they withstand the abrasion, load, and high temperatures common in aerospace applications. They make aerospace components such as bearings and bushings for landing gears, flight controls, and steering joints. Continental Steel is a specialty metal supplier offering brass, bronze, copper, aluminum, steel, nickel, stainless steel, and titanium from four distribution centers throughout the U.S. We have been a leading supplier since 1985 and maintain AS9120B:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 certifications. Continental Steel is a supplier trusted by leaders in the military and aerospace industries. Contact us or request a quote to learn more about our materials and capabilities.
