MP35N is a high-performance, nickel-cobalt-based alloy known for its exceptional strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility.
This alloy is used in a variety of demanding environments, including aerospace, medical, and marine industries. MP35N is highly resistant to stress corrosion cracking, pitting, and crevice corrosion, making it ideal for custom springs and wire forms that require long-term durability in harsh conditions.
At Western Spring Manufacturing, MP35N is used to create springs and wire forms that must maintain their strength and integrity even in the most corrosive environments, from medical implants to deep-sea applications.
MP35N Material Composition and Grades
MP35N is a unique alloy composed primarily of nickel, cobalt, chromium, and molybdenum, which gives it its superior strength and corrosion resistance. The alloy’s composition allows it to be used in extreme conditions where other materials would fail. Here’s a breakdown of its key components:
- Nickel (35%): Provides excellent resistance to corrosion and oxidation.
- Cobalt (35%): Contributes to the alloy’s high strength and toughness.
- Chromium (20%): Enhances corrosion resistance, particularly against oxidizing environments.
- Molybdenum (10%): Improves resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, especially in chloride-rich environments.
MP35N can be cold worked and heat treated to achieve a variety of mechanical properties, including very high tensile strengths and resistance to stress corrosion cracking. These properties make it an excellent choice for critical applications in harsh environments.
MP35N Properties and Characteristics
MP35N is highly regarded for its combination of mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. Some of the key properties and characteristics include:
- High Strength: MP35N offers excellent tensile and yield strength, making it capable of withstanding extreme loads and stress without deforming or failing.
- Corrosion Resistance: The alloy’s nickel, chromium, and molybdenum content gives it exceptional resistance to corrosion, particularly in chloride environments where pitting and crevice corrosion can occur.
- Biocompatibility: MP35N is used in medical applications due to its ability to resist bodily fluids without degrading or causing adverse reactions.
- Fatigue Resistance: Springs made from MP35N exhibit excellent fatigue resistance, allowing them to endure repeated cycles of loading and unloading without failure.
Mechanical properties of MP35N include:
- Tensile Strength: Up to 300,000 psi, depending on heat treatment.
- Density: 8.43 g/cm³.
- Modulus of Elasticity (E): 33,500,000 psi.
- Corrosion Resistance: Superior resistance to stress corrosion cracking, crevice corrosion, and pitting in chloride-rich environments.
Spring and Wire Form Applications
MP35N is used in a wide range of spring types and wire forms due to its strength and resistance to corrosive environments. Some common applications include:
- Compression Springs: MP35N compression springs are used in medical devices, aerospace components, and marine equipment where corrosion resistance and high strength are crucial.
- Torsion Springs: Torsion springs made from MP35N provide superior performance in extreme environments, such as deep-sea exploration or aerospace systems.
- Medical Springs: Due to its biocompatibility, MP35N is widely used in medical implants and surgical instruments that require both strength and corrosion resistance.
- Wire Forms: MP35N wire forms are commonly used in industrial and marine applications, offering excellent durability and performance in harsh environments.
Industries that rely on MP35N springs and wire forms include:
- Aerospace: Aerospace systems require high-strength, corrosion-resistant springs that can withstand the extreme temperatures and pressures found in flight and space applications.
- Medical: MP35N is used in medical devices such as stents, pacemakers, and orthopedic implants, where biocompatibility and corrosion resistance are essential.
- Marine: MP35N springs and wire forms are ideal for use in offshore and deep-sea applications, as they can resist the corrosive effects of saltwater and harsh environmental conditions.
Learn more about spring applications across industries in From Automotive to Aerospace: Applications of Springs in Different Industries.
Advantages and Limitations of MP35N
Advantages:
- Exceptional Corrosion Resistance: MP35N offers superior protection against stress corrosion cracking, pitting, and crevice corrosion in harsh environments, making it suitable for long-term use in marine, medical, and aerospace applications.
- High Strength and Fatigue Resistance: Springs and wire forms made from MP35N exhibit excellent strength and fatigue resistance, allowing them to withstand extreme stress and repeated load cycles without failure.
- Biocompatibility: MP35N’s resistance to bodily fluids makes it an ideal material for medical devices and implants, where biocompatibility is crucial.
Limitations:
- Cost: MP35N is more expensive than other spring materials due to its high-performance properties, which may limit its use to critical applications where these characteristics are necessary.
- Machining Challenges: Due to its hardness and toughness, MP35N can be more difficult to machine and form, requiring specialized equipment and techniques for production.
MP35N Compared with Other Materials
Compared to stainless steel and other high-performance alloys like Inconel or Hastelloy, MP35N offers superior corrosion resistance and higher strength in chloride-rich and stress-prone environments. While Inconel provides excellent high-temperature performance, MP35N is often the material of choice for medical and marine applications due to its biocompatibility and resistance to stress corrosion cracking.
For environments requiring extreme corrosion resistance and long-term durability, MP35N outperforms other materials, though its higher cost may be a limiting factor for some applications.
Future Trends and Innovations
As industries such as medical and aerospace continue to demand materials that offer both high strength and corrosion resistance, the use of MP35N is expected to grow. Ongoing innovations in the alloy’s processing and heat treatment methods are improving its machinability and expanding its range of applications.
Additionally, advances in 3D printing are making it possible to create complex MP35N components with greater precision and customization, allowing manufacturers to produce high-performance springs and wire forms with intricate designs.
Discover how technology is shaping the future of spring manufacturing in How Automation is Affecting the Future of Spring Manufacturing.
