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In
the early 1980's, the interest in niobium-titanium products
developed to the point that Teledyne, Inc. began researching
the feasibility of building a new plant specializing
in the development and manufacture of low temperature
superconducting alloys and composites. Research and
production performed at Wah Chang Albany over the previous
23 years indicated that such a facility would help promote
further growth in the superconducting field.
Construction
of Teledyne SC began in 1984 in Huntsville, Alabama.
Less than 10 years later, the company had grown into
one of the world's primary producers of superconducting
rod and wire.
In the spring of 1993, Teledyne, Inc. announced that,
as a part of realignment of its operating divisions,
Teledyne SC would become part of its larger sister company
Wah Chang, with headquarters in Albany, Oregon. The
realignment joined two of the world's largest and most
experienced suppliers of niobium-titanium and other
superconducting alloys. In the process, Teledyne SC
was re-named Wah Chang, Alabama Facility.
Niobium-titanium
alloys and composites for solenoid magnet applications
are used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) devices,
(which safely scan the body's soft tissues), and in
high energy particle accelerators. In addition, emerging
technologies, such as improved energy storage, energy
generation, and ultra-efficient motors, use niobium-titanium.
A niobium-titanium alloy is even used in pipe and other
forms in gold mining autoclaves, where corrosion and
ignition of materials are a great concern
But
niobium-titanium is exceptionally well suited for applications
involved with superconductivity. Niobium superconducts
at 9.3K, which is nearly twice the temperature for any
other known element. In addition, its ductility is excellent,
for making wire and other forms. Alloying niobium with
titanium creates a superconducting material with pinning
sites which prevent the magnetic flux (called fluxons)
from moving. Flux motion causes energy dissipation and
thereby a voltage to appear. Titanium also strengthens
the alloy, without causing much loss in ductility. All
of these properties add up to make niobium-titanium
uniquely suited for
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fabricating
superconducting rod and wire.
Wah
Chang's Huntsville, Alabama site was designed specifically
for that purpose. Its principal products include niobium-titanium
alloy rod and niobium-titanium rivet-grade wire used
in the aerospace industry. Wah Chang's protective surfaces
on all machinery and handling equipment enable it to
maintain high yields and unparalleled metallurgical
and surface qualities.
The
Alabama Facility makes numerous sizes of superconducting
grade niobium-titanium rod dependent upon the needs
of it's customers. Rivet grade niobium-titanium sizes
include 0.248", 0.185", 0.1555", 0.1245", 0.093" diameter.
The rivet grade wire is supplied in the unannealed condition
with lubricant left on the material to help in the heading
of rivets by the end user.
Huntsville's
facilities include an 8F 4 die swage that can swage-point
up to 4.0-inch diameter multifilamentary bar for drawing
on its 200,000-pound drawbench. This drawbench is capable
of processing bars up to 80 foot length with a capacity
of 100,000 pounds per month. A second drawbench is capable
of drawing nominal 2.4-inch diameter bars and lengths
up to 180 feet. Additional equipment in Huntsville's
rod processing department includes a continuous annealing
furnace, an aging furnace, straightening equipment,
and ultrasonic testing equipment.
The
site's numerous bull blocks process material from 0.625
inches diameter to 0.015 inches in diameter.
Huntsville
can anneal up to 2,000 pounds of material in its vacuum
anneal furnace. After annealing, material is pickled
in an acid cleaning facility, which includes 30-foot
tanks for rods up to 28 feet long and tanks for pickling
coils ~ 48 inches in diameter.
The
applications for Wah Chang's niobium-titanium and other
specialty metal products appear to be extensive. If
you would like to discuss a potential application or
would like more information on the Huntsville site capabilities,
call Sales at 256-722-2304.
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