Scientists from the Siberian Institute of Physics and Technology at Tomsk State University have created a new alloy for use in the Arctic. The invention functions in the range of –70 to +100°C and is capable of restoring deformed elements. According to the scientists, the new alloy can recover up to 12% of deformation after mechanical impact, returning to its original parameters. It consists of three-component single crystals of cobalt, nickel and aluminium (CoNiAl) subjected to special thermomechanical treatment. Anna Eftifeeva, a senior researcher at the Laboratory of Physics of High-Strength Crystals of the SIPT TSU, reported that the alloy has undergone initial tests, but they are far from complete. Only after 1,000-fold mechanical exposure will scientists be able to make recommendations on the application of the new development.

The new alloy is expected to be used in devices that will be subjected to extreme temperature loads.

According to her, it will allow for the elimination of complex designs currently used to compensate for shock loads, extend the operation of devices through multiple actuation cycles and help avoid accidents. One of the potentially effective applications of the alloy is the production of sensors for fire extinguishing systems. In the event of a fire, it will change its size and trigger the emergency system on board the ship, then return to its original state once the temperature has subsided.

Russian developments in frost-resistant alloys are among the most advanced in the world, and in some areas are the best on the planet. According to Alexey Oryschenko, Doctor of Technical Sciences and Professor, who heads the Kurchatov Institute, Russia is a world leader in the development and production of cold-resistant alloys. Their history dates back to the past—even from the very first icebreakers, Soviet materials scientists were developing new, particularly strong and cold-resistant types of steel. For instance, high-strength steel grades AK-27 and AK-28 were used in the construction of icebreaker hulls from 1959 to 1990, and double-layer planked steel AB1P was used for the ice belt cladding of the icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy. Their key advantage was their resistance to pressure. AK-27 steel can withstand pressure of 510 MPa (36.9 tons per square inch of surface area) and AK-28 steel can withstand 600 MPa (43.5 tons per square inch). During the same period, cold-resistant steels also began to be used. The icebreakers Arktika, Taimyr and Vaygach were clad with AB1-SH steel, which could withstand temperatures down to –60°C.

At the turn of the century, the active development of the Arctic, including the Arctic shelf, once again posed a challenging task for Russian scientists. The available domestic alloys did not meet the requirements for the construction of offshore drilling platforms, just as their Western counterparts didn't. Shipbuilding steels according to GOST 5521-93 were simply not suitable for use, so a new generation of cold-resistant alloys had to be developed, with a focus on efficiency and automation. Russian industry required a large quantity of high-tech and high-quality material. As a result, steels of categories D, E and F were developed, and a new GOST R 52927-2008 standard was established.

However, this is far from the end of the story. Today, Russia is developing new types of cold-resistant Arc alloys, which should have guaranteed performance without temperature limitations. They can be used in any structure in Arctic cold conditions, whether it's a freeze-resistant ship, floating power unit or offshore platform. Today, these alloys are being used to build new icebreakers Arktika, Sibir and Ural, the diesel-electric icebreaker of the Aker ARC 130 A project and the multifunctional diesel-electric icebreaker Viktor Chernomyrdin. The authors of this development are the Kurchatov Institute and Central Research Institute of Structural Materials 'Prometey.' In addition to developing the steel formulas, engineers and scientists are optimising production techniques to increase productivity and reduce material costs.

Image attribution: Shutterstock