Latrobe Specialty Steel announced that it has reintroduced the aerospace Grade LS-A286 to the enthusiastic aircraft fastener and turbine engine supply chains for this vacuum remelted stainless steel super alloy.
It said that “There are significant applications in the energy and aerospace fastener markets. Latrobe Specialty Steel anticipates expanding interest from the gas turbine and super-charger supply chains as they focus on the unique performance characteristics of LS-A286. The company also foresees LS-A286 in high-strength non-magnetic and cryogenic applications.”
Latrobe Specialty Steel makes LS-A286 in vacuum remelted and double-vacuum melted forms for a vast range of shapes and sizes. LS-A286 in both melt-method variations starts in the electric arc furnace and then the AOD or argon oxygen decarburization unit for initial refinement. From there, it may move directly to the vacuum arc remelting furnace or to one of Latrobe's two 30 ton Vacuum Induction Melting furnaces. After processing in the VIM, LS-A286 is vacuum arc remelted, which produces a cleaner alloy with fewer inclusions.
Dr Robert F Buck Manager of Product and Process Innovation said, "We reintroduced and enhanced LS-A286 to give our customers higher strength material with excellent corrosion resistance and outstanding stress rupture performance. Customers appreciate that they can use LS-A286 at temperatures up to 1300 degrees F. They also like the creep strength or the ability to endure constant stress at relatively high temperature of LS-A286. Since we last offered LS-A286 in the early 1970's, our processes have become more precise, more predictable and more closely controlled. Moreover, we offer LS-A286 in the widest size range, product forms and melt methods of anyone in the Western Hemisphere while meeting stringent industry and customer specifications."
Specialty Steel Supply, a wholly owned subsidiary of Latrobe Specialty Steel, will stock popular bar sizes of LS-A286 meeting specifications of oil/gas and aerospace sectors.
Latrobe Specialty Steel, headquartered at Latrobe in Pennsylvania State of US has been in continual business in the same location since 1913 and supplying the aerospace and defense sectors since 1958. The firm employs approximately 900 people.
