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A286 vs Waspaloy — Gas Turbine and Aerospace Selection
A286 vs Waspaloy is the comparison between an iron-base austenitic precipitation-hardening superalloy and a nickel-cobalt-chromium gamma-prime-strengthened nickel-base superalloy. Service-temperature ceiling is the primary differentiator: A286 is suitable to ~700 °C; Waspaloy retains strength to ~870 °C continuous. Cost difference is also significant — Waspaloy is ~5-7× the cost of A286 due to the high cobalt content (13.5 %). This page provides a side-by-side comparison covering chemistry, mechanical properties, service temperature, weldability, cost, and selection criteria. Quick answer: A286 wins below 700 °C with cost-efficient bolting; Waspaloy is required for sustained 700-870 °C service in gas-turbine hot section. See parent A286 stainless steel, related A286 vs Inconel 718, A286 vs 17-4 PH, A286 vs Nimonic 80A.
About A286 (UNS S66286)
A286 (UNS S66286) is an iron-nickel-chromium precipitation-hardening austenitic stainless steel — composition 53 Fe-25 Ni-15 Cr-2 Ti-1.3 Mo. Heat-treated to 895 MPa tensile, 655 MPa yield. Service temperature -196 °C to ~700 °C. Non-magnetic (permeability < 1.005). Cost-effective for jet-engine compressor and turbine bolting up to ~700 °C operating temperature. Covered by ASTM A453 grade 660, AMS 5525-5895.
About Waspaloy (UNS N07001)
Waspaloy (UNS N07001) is a nickel-chromium-cobalt-molybdenum gamma-prime-strengthened nickel-base superalloy — composition 56 Ni-19 Cr-13.5 Co-4.3 Mo-3 Ti-1.4 Al. Heat-treated to 1275 MPa tensile, 795 MPa yield. Service temperature -200 °C to ~870 °C continuous. Non-magnetic. Covered by AMS 5544 / 5586 / 5704 / 5708. Used in gas-turbine compressor disc 2nd-3rd stage, turbine wheels, casings, and high-temperature bolting where A286 reaches its 700 °C limit. ~5-7× the cost of A286 due to cobalt and chromium content.
A286 vs Waspaloy — Gas Turbine and Aerospace Selection — Side-by-Side Comparison
| Property | A286 (UNS S66286) | Waspaloy (UNS N07001) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base composition | Fe-Ni-Cr (Fe-base) | Ni-Cr-Co-Mo (Ni-base) | Different bases |
| Density (g/cm³) | 7.94 | 8.19 | Waspaloy ~3 % heavier |
| Yield strength (MPa) RT | ≥ 655 | ≥ 795 | Waspaloy ~21 % higher yield |
| Tensile strength (MPa) RT | ≥ 895 | ≥ 1275 | Waspaloy ~42 % higher tensile |
| Yield at 700 °C (MPa) | ~485 | ~720 | Waspaloy retains strength much better |
| Yield at 870 °C (MPa) | ~150 (degraded) | ~620 | Only Waspaloy retains useful strength |
| Stress rupture 1000 h at 815 °C (MPa) | ~140 | ~415 | Waspaloy ~3× better high-temp stress rupture |
| Service temperature max (°C) | ~700 (continuous) | ~870 (continuous) | Waspaloy 170 °C higher ceiling |
| Oxidation resistance max (°C) | 982 | 1100 | Waspaloy superior |
| Magnetic | No (< 1.005) | No | Both non-magnetic |
| Modulus of elasticity (GPa) | 199 | 215 | Waspaloy stiffer |
| Thermal expansion (µm/m·°C 20-300 °C) | 17.0 | 12.3 | Waspaloy lower expansion |
| Cobalt content | 0 % | 13.5 % | Waspaloy export-controlled in some countries |
| Cost relative | 1.0× | 5-7× | Significant cost premium |
| Weldability | Good (sol-treated) | Limited (gamma-prime cracking) | Waspaloy welding is challenging |
| Best for | ≤ 700 °C cost-efficient | 650-870 °C high-temp critical | Choose by service temperature |
When to Choose Each Alloy
- Choose A286 when: Service temperature ≤ 700 °C — cost is one-fifth to one-seventh of Waspaloy. A286 ideal for jet-engine compressor stages, gas-turbine combustor hardware, automotive turbocharger, and any application where Waspaloy temperature ceiling is unnecessary.
- Choose Waspaloy when: Service temperature 700-870 °C continuous — A286 loses strength rapidly above 700 °C while Waspaloy retains useful properties to 870 °C. Required for gas-turbine compressor stage 2-3 discs, turbine wheels, hot-section structural components.
- Both alloys are equivalent when: Service temperature 540-650 °C with ample design margin. A286 is preferred by default — same corrosion + non-magnetic performance at one-fifth the cost. Use Waspaloy only when temperature drives the choice.
- Cobalt-restricted applications: A286 only — Waspaloy contains 13.5 % cobalt which is export-controlled in some countries (China, Russia, Japan have varying restrictions). For US-EU export-restricted aerospace applications, A286 simplifies compliance.
- Above 870 °C service: Neither — choose Nimonic 80A, René 41, or single-crystal nickel superalloys for extreme high-temperature gas-turbine applications.
Applications by Industry
- Jet-engine compressor stage 1: A286 dominant — compressor stage 1 operating temp 400-540 °C, A286 cost-efficient. Waspaloy unnecessary.
- Jet-engine compressor stage 2-3: Waspaloy dominant — operating temp 650-820 °C exceeds A286 ceiling. Waspaloy required for design margin.
- Gas-turbine combustor hardware: A286 for combustor liner attachment bolting (lower preload). Waspaloy for hot-side structural members where temperature drives choice.
- Gas-turbine turbine wheels: Waspaloy for industrial gas-turbine turbine wheels and hot-section discs. A286 only for cold-section.
- Aerospace fasteners: A286 NAS 6603 dominant for compressor and casing bolting (≤ 700 °C). Waspaloy fasteners for hot-section critical bolts.
- Power-generation gas turbines: Waspaloy for hot-section components on Siemens / GE / Mitsubishi gas-turbines. A286 for accessory and cold-section hardware. A286 gas turbine applications.
A286 vs Waspaloy — Gas Turbine and Aerospace Selection — Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between A286 and Waspaloy?
Service temperature ceiling: A286 ~700 °C, Waspaloy ~870 °C. Cost: Waspaloy is 5-7× more expensive. Composition: A286 is iron-base; Waspaloy is nickel-base with 13.5 % cobalt. For ≤ 700 °C, A286 is the cost-efficient choice; for 700-870 °C, Waspaloy is required.
Why does Waspaloy contain cobalt?
Cobalt (13.5 %) provides solid-solution strengthening and improves elevated-temperature stability of the gamma-prime precipitation-strengthening phase. Cobalt also enhances oxidation resistance at high temperatures. A286 has zero cobalt.
Is Waspaloy more weldable than A286?
No — Waspaloy welding is significantly more challenging due to gamma-prime strain-age cracking during welding. A286 welding is good with proper procedure (post-weld sol-treatment + aging). For repairable assemblies, A286 is preferred over Waspaloy.
Cost ratio A286 vs Waspaloy?
A286 is 1/5 to 1/7 the cost of Waspaloy — A286 raw material ~$8-15/kg vs Waspaloy ~$60-100/kg depending on form and quantity. Cobalt content is the primary cost driver.
Are both alloys non-magnetic?
Yes — both A286 (austenitic Fe-base) and Waspaloy (nickel-base) are non-magnetic. Compatible with instrumentation, MRI, and aerospace electromagnetic-sensitive applications.
Which alloy for industrial gas-turbine compressor stage 2?
Waspaloy — operating temperature 650-820 °C exceeds A286 ceiling. Waspaloy required for adequate design margin. A286 acceptable only for stage 1 (≤ 540 °C).
Can A286 replace Waspaloy in high-temperature service?
NO for service > 700 °C — A286 loses strength rapidly above this temperature. Waspaloy retains 75 % of room-temperature yield at 800 °C while A286 retains only 25 %. Substitution would cause premature creep failure.
Is Waspaloy export-restricted?
Yes — cobalt content (13.5 %) places Waspaloy on US export-control list under ITAR / EAR for some destinations. A286 has zero cobalt and is export-friendly. For export-restricted aerospace applications, A286 simplifies compliance.
Which alloy for gas-turbine accessory bolting?
A286 — accessory components (gearboxes, fuel pumps, oil pumps) operate at ≤ 540 °C, well within A286's range. Waspaloy unnecessary at this cost premium. See A286 gas turbine applications.
Related Comparisons & A286 Reference
Compare A286 against other precipitation-hardening alloys: A286 vs Inconel 718 · A286 vs 17-4 PH · A286 vs Waspaloy · A286 vs Nimonic 80A · A286 equivalent grades cross-reference.
Canonical A286 reference: A286 chemical composition · A286 mechanical properties · A286 heat treatment · A286 machinability · AMS / ASTM specifications hub.
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