Expansion alloy

Controlled-expansion alloys for matching glass, ceramics and other components across a specified temperature range.

Expansion alloy manufacturer

Expansion alloy (constant expansion alloy) is a type of functional metal material with controlled thermal expansion characteristics. This type of material is widely used in areas where thermal expansion needs to match that of other materials such as glass and ceramics, or where a high degree of dimensional stability is required over a specific temperature range. The products we offer have excellent physical properties and long-term stability.

DZX METAL PRODUCT CATEGORY

Expansion alloy

Expansion alloys are specialized materials designed to exhibit controllable thermal expansion properties. These alloys are widely used in applications where the thermal expansion needs to match or remain stable with other materials, such as glass, ceramics, or specific industrial components, or when a specific expansion must be met over a certain temperature range.

Available Grades and Products

  • Plate / Sheet

    Plate / Sheet

    Thickness: 0.1mm-50mm
    Width: 50mm-1000mm
    Length: 1000mm-6000mm
  • Strip / Coil

    Strip

    Thickness: 0.02mm-1mm
    Width: 3mm-500mm
    Delivery Forms: Bright shiny surface or anodized surface, supplied in spools or cut-to-length
  • Bar / Rod

    Rod

    Diameter: Ø3mm-Ø100mm
    Length: 100mm-2000mm
    Delivery Forms: Hot rolled, forged or turned
  • Wire

    Wire

    Diameter: Ø0.03mm-Ø6mm
    Delivery Forms: Bright shiny or anodized, supplied in spools
  • Tube / Pipe

    Tube

    Outer Diameter: Ø3mm-Ø200mm
    Wall Thickness: 0.5mm-10mm
    Length: 100mm-6000mm

Chemical Composition

Elements 4J29 4J36
Carbon (C) Not greater than 0.03 0.05
Sulfur (S) 0.02 0.02
Phosphorus (P) 0.02 0.02
Manganese (Mn) ≤0.50 0.20-0.60
Silicon (Si) ≤0.30 ≤0.30
Nickel (Ni) 28.5-29.5 35.0-37.0
Chromium (Cr) – –
Cobalt (Co) 16.8-17.8 –
Iron (Fe) Rest Rest
Other Elements

Thermal Expansion Properties

Alloy Grade 20°C-100°C 20°C-300°C 20°C-500°C
4J36 Invar Alloy 1.2×10⁻⁶ /°C 2.5×10⁻⁶ /°C –
4J29 Kovar Alloy 4.6×10⁻⁶ /°C 5.5×10⁻⁶ /°C 6.2×10⁻⁶ /°C

Mechanical Properties

Alloy Grade 4J36 Invar Alloy 4J29 Kovar Alloy
Density (g/cm³) 8.1 8.2
Tensile Strength (MPa) 500-600 600-700
Yield Strength (MPa) 250-350 300-400
Hardness (HV) 150-200 200-250

Electrical Properties

Alloy Grade 4J36 Invar Alloy 4J29 Kovar Alloy
Electrical Resistivity (10⁻⁶ Ω·cm) 80 50
Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) 10-12 16-18

Features

  • Some expansion alloys, such as Invar alloys, expand almost not at all with temperature changes, while other types can be engineered to have a specific expansion rate.
  • These alloys maintain shape and size stability, even in environments with significant temperature fluctuations.
  • They typically offer enough strength and toughness, making them suitable for complex structural components.
  • They are easy to process with cold and hot working, welding, and other forming techniques.
  • Many expansion alloys also exhibit excellent corrosion resistance.

Applications

  • Precision instruments and measuring devices: such as balances, microscopes, and laser interferometers
  • Electronics and semiconductors: integrated circuit boards, connectors, resistors, etc.
  • Aerospace: navigation systems, control systems on aircraft and satellites
  • Automotive industry: engine sensors, exhaust system components
  • Energy industry: sensitive equipment in nuclear power plants, thermal power stations, such as instrument panels and controllers
  • Watchmaking: precision components such as gears and mainsprings in high-end watches
  • Lighting industry: metal brackets and connectors in light bulbs and LED lighting fixtures

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is DLX Alloy a manufacturer or a trading company?

We are a manufacturer. Changzhou DLX Alloy Co., Ltd. was founded in 2002 in Changzhou, Jiangsu, and has operated its own alloy plant ever since — we are not a trading intermediary, so you buy Expansion Alloy at factory prices.

We are a manufacturer. Changzhou DLX Alloy Co., Ltd. was founded in 2002 in Changzhou, Jiangsu, and has operated its own alloy plant ever since — we are not a trading intermediary, so you buy Expansion Alloy at factory prices.

We are a manufacturer. Changzhou DLX Alloy Co., Ltd. was founded in 2002 in Changzhou, Jiangsu, and has operated its own alloy plant ever since — we are not a trading intermediary, so you buy Expansion Alloy at factory prices.

We operate ISO9001 with three-stage inspection — incoming material, in-process and final outgoing checks — and every stage of Expansion Alloy is recorded on batch cards before release to shipping.

Yes. We manufacture Expansion Alloy to your drawing — custom dimensions, tolerances and surface finishes are all possible, and each lot is shipped with mill-level documentation for your incoming inspection.

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Material advice, custom specifications and project support.
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