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Energy

The energy industry is a true test of material properties. The breadth of geographical locations, environments, structural demands, temperatures and contact with corrosive elements are unparalleled. As new ways of producing energy come to the fore and efficiencies are being found in existing technologies, new materials are being integrated and new applications are being found for the incumbents. 

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Key material considerations for the energy industries are: strength - structural strength for hydroelectric dams, electricity pylons, wind turbines et al, tensile strength for overhead powerlines and compessive strength for pressure vessels; electrical conductivity for power lines; corrosion resistance for attacks from the elements, marine environments and acids; and Temperature range, from sub zero cryogenics in nuclear cooling, to 1000s of degrees celsius.

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The materials and applications on this page are listed solely as a guide and do not reflect the limit of our supply, or the uses of said materials. If you have a specific application for which you need particular materials, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Aluminium in the Energy Industry

Aluminium-in-Energy

Uses

  • Overhead powerlines

  • Electricity Pylons

  • Low-voltage undergound powerlines

  • Domestic electrical wiring

Characteristics

  • 61% conductivity of Copper, yet half the weight

  • Reduction in weight allows longer spans between pylons for overhead powerlines

  • High corrosion resistance - suitable for exposure to the elements and offshore applications

  • Easily shaped into wire and complex shapes for connectors

  • Low coefficient of thermal expansion

  • Easy to bend without cracking

  • Readily recycled at end of useful life

Grades

  • 1050, 1070, 1080, 1085, 1350, & 1370

  • 2028, 2033, & 2044

  • 5454

Energy Aluminium

Nickel in the Energy Industry

Nickel-in-Energy

Uses

  • Geothermal pipework

  • Machinery and piping used in production of oil & gas

  • Equipment - including turbines - used in hydroelectricity production  Gearboxes in wind turbines

  • High temperature applications including turbines and pipework

  • Applications exposed to corrosive media

  • Cathodes used in batteries

Characteristics

  • Excellent corrosion resistance

  • High strength

  • Great creep strength

  • A very useful alloy in Stainless Steels

  • Resistant to high temperatures

  • Straightforward to join and shape

Grades

  • 270 & 301

  • 400

  • 600, 601, 625, 718, X-750, 800, & 825

  • Alloy 36, Alloy 42, Alloy 48, & Alloy K 

Energy Nickel

Steel in the Energy Industry

Steel-in-Energy

Uses

  • Rebar to reinforce concrete dam walls

  • Turbines in gas, hydroelectric and nuclear power plants

  • Electricity pylons for overhead powerlines

  • Towers and rotors for wind turbines | Heat exchangers

  • Transit pipelines Framework and structures to hold solar panels

  • Handling equipment

  • Biofuel storage

Characteristics

  • High strength

  • Readily formed into complex shapes

  • High corrosion resistance in Stainless Steels

  • Good high temperature characteristics

  • Broad range of alloys to meet possible requirements

Grades

  • 304, 316

Energy Steel

Titanium in the Energy Industry

Titanium-in-Energy

Uses

  • Pipelines

  • Heat exchangers

  • Expansion pipes

  • Valves

  • Meters

  • Condensers

  • Impellers

  • Turbine components

  • Pressure Vessels

Characteristics

  • Very high strength

  • Superior corrosion resistance

  • Excellent creep strength

  • Readily joined and formed into complex shapes

  • High capacity for resisting internal and external pressures

  • Long life cycle with minimal maintenance required

Grades

  • Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, & Grade 4

  • Grade 7 & Grade 12

Energy Titanium

Carbon Fibre in the Energy Industry

Carbon-Fibre-in-Energy

Uses

  • Reinforced wind turbine rotors

  • Fuel Cells

  • Carbon-Reinforced Aluminium Conductor cables (CRAC)

  • Pressure vessels

Characteristics

  • Very lightweight

  • Low coefficient of thermal expansion

  • High strength

  • Resistant to high temperatures with the right polymers

  • Excellent corrosion resistance

  • Easy to form and shape into complex shapes

Grades

  • 3K

  • 6K

  • 9K

  • 12K

  • Hybrid

Energy Carbon Fibre

Aramids in the Energy Industry

Aramids-in-Energy

Uses

  • Insulators for powelines

  • Insulators for transformers

  • High pressure hoses

  • Umbilicals

  • PV panel housing and bracketry

Characteristics

  • Very lightweight allowing less loading on powerlines when used as insulator

  • Readily formed into complex shapes

  • High corrosion resistance to the elements and acids

  • Excellent resistance to heat and electrical currents

  • Superior containment of high pressures. Ideal for use in hoses/umbilicals

Grades

  • Kevlar®

  • Nomex®

Energy Aramids
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