<p>At the forefront of space and satellite technology, Signicast's advanced investment casting produces the precision metal components that make exploration possible.</p>

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Space & satellites

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Investment-cast rocket engine components can significantly improve engine performance, efficiency and reliability. This is essential for launching satellites into orbit and for spacecraft propulsion.

Enhanced part performance

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Investment-cast structural components, such as fairings and adapters, can enhance the structural integrity and reliability of spacecraft. This is crucial for ensuring spacecraft safety and mission success.

Improved spacecraft structural integrity

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Investment casting excels at producing precise, durable satellite components such as antennas and solar panels, helping to ensure mission success.

Precision satellite components

Investment casting reduces costs and accelerates time to market for space components, enhancing competitiveness and meeting industry demands.

Improved time to market

Space & satellite leaders choose Signicast to help achieve key goals

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Industry-leading certifications

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<p>Invar 36, also known in the industry as Nilo 36, is a nickel-iron superalloy known for its low coefficient of <a href="/materials/thermal-expansion-alloys" target="_self">thermal expansion</a>. Containing 36% nickel, it maintains nearly constant dimensions, as well as good strength and hardness, over a wide range of temperatures. Invented in 1896 by Swiss physicist Charles Edouard Guillaume, Invar was created as a low-cost alternative to a metre once made of platinum and iridium. Guillaume’s work led to the discovery of a relatively inexpensive iron-nickel alloy—a steel-like material—that expands very little when heated. He named the alloy Invar because it was almost unchanging or "invariable.”</p><h3>Invar 36 success</h3><p>One of our customers approached us specifically to use INVAR 36 for a component requiring the nearly constant dimensions and long-term dimensional stability for which this alloy is known<em>.</em> Signicast engineers rose to the challenge, not only casting Invar 36 successfully but completely exceeding the customer’s expectations—all while saving them money.</p><p><em>Why did our customer need Invar 36</em>? The slightest change in the dimensions or shape of their component could alter their end product—even though they were already in a temperature-controlled room. A few degrees could alter the function of the part. They knew they needed to work with a material such as Invar 36, but machining it from solid was costly.</p><p><em>How did Signicast help?</em> We had never worked with Invar 36 previously, but there has never been a challenge our engineers did not at least try to overcome. Through research and testing, we developed a casting material that performed as well as or better than wrought material, and we were able to cast it to net shape successfully. Not only did we reduce the final part cost because the customer did not have to machine the part, but our final part cost was actually lower than their original block of metal—before machining.</p><p><em>The end result?</em> A very happy customer who achieved tenfold savings and a new material added to our offering.  </p><p>Invar 36 maintains nearly constant dimensions at temperatures from below -150 degrees Celsius up to 260 degrees Celsius.</p><h3>Who should use Invar 36?</h3><p>Customers operating under strict temperature constraints are likely to see the advantages of using Invar 36. Unfortunately, those currently machining from solid may not realise that casting to net shape is even an option. Today, Invar 36 is often used in measuring devices, precision mechanical systems, laser components, thermostat rods, meters and components that transport liquefied gases—to name a few.</p><h3>Invar industry applications</h3><p>Invar can be used in a variety of applications within the <a href="/industries/commercial-aerospace" target="_self">aerospace</a>, <a href="/industries/medical" target="_self">medical</a> and consumer electronics industries. However, where superalloys with low CTE are beginning to outperform other metals is in automotive technologies. As autonomous vehicles become more popular, sensors, radars and cameras are becoming increasingly advanced and critical to vehicle function. LiDAR, an acronym for light detection and ranging, uses light waves from a laser to calculate how long it takes for light to strike an object or surface and reflect back to the scanner—determining the distance of surrounding objects. An alloy with nearly constant dimensions and long-term dimensional stability, such as Invar 36, is extremely important in such intricate devices. Alternative alloys with low CTE, such as Kovar, are also viable options for casting LiDAR sensors. <a href="/investment-casting" target="_self">Investment casting</a> is a cost-effective solution compared with machining LiDAR parts from solid.</p><h3>What are the advantages of Invar 36? </h3><p>The most obvious advantage of Invar 36 is its ability to maintain dimensions at cryogenic temperatures. In addition, Invar 36 looks and feels similar to steel. It also has outstanding weldability and machinability. Invar can also be produced with customised chemistries to better meet customers’ strength and hardness requirements. </p>

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Discover how Invar 36 maintains exceptionally stable dimensions under thermal stress, supporting demanding aerospace, optical and cryogenic applications.

Invar 36 investment casting benefits | Signicast article

Invar 36 is a nickel-iron alloy known for its low coefficient of thermal expansion, making it ideal for applications requiring high dimensional stability across a wide temperature range, such as precision mechanical systems, aerospace and automotive technologies. 

Invar 36 spotlight

<p>Following the success of Invar 36, Signicast expands its offerings with Kovar, an iron-nickel-cobalt alloy. Kovar, sharing the "Invar Effect" with its predecessor, has low and linear thermal expansion below the Curie Point, then expands significantly above it. While Invar prioritises a minimal coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) for temperature stability, Kovar's "co-variant" nature ensures its CTE closely aligns with borosilicate glasses and certain alumina ceramics.</p><h2>What are the benefits and applications of Kovar?</h2><p><a href="/materials/thermal-expansion-alloys" target="_self">Kovar’s thermal expansion</a> rate is the key property that makes this superalloy useful. Compared with other alloys, Kovar expands at a variable rate as temperature increases, with very little dimensional change. This makes Kovar an excellent choice for seals and glass-to-metal bonded assemblies with minimal locked-in pressure.</p><p>It is used in applications requiring a hermetic seal between the metal alloy and the glass or ceramic component. The metal-to-glass seal is created by performing an oxidising treatment on the parts after they have been annealed. The oxide layer acts as an intermediary, bonding both to the glass and to the alloy substrate on which it was formed. The hermetic seal creates a bond free from the problems and failures caused by dirt, dust, moisture, fungus or low pressure at high altitudes. Applications for this alloy include X-ray tubes, microwave tubes and light bulb ends, among many others.</p><h2>Physical and mechanical properties</h2><p>By varying the amounts of the major alloying elements, the CTE behaviour of these alloys can be tailored to match different ceramics and glasses.</p><p>Kovar’s typical physical and mechanical properties are as follows:</p><ul><li>Density: .302 lb/in3</li></ul><ul><li>Curie Temperature: 435 ºC</li></ul><ul><li>Melting Point: 1450 ºC</li></ul><ul><li>Specific Heat:</li></ul><ul><li>.105 cal/gm/ ºC at 0 ºC</li></ul><ul><li>.155 cal/gm/ ºC at 430 ºC</li></ul><ul><li>Heat of Fusion: 64 cal/gm</li></ul><ul><li>Thermal Conductivity: 17.3 W/m · K</li></ul><ul><li>Electrical Resistivity: 490 microhm/mm</li></ul><ul><li>Shear Modulus: 7.5 · 106</li></ul><ul><li>Modulus of Elasticity: 20 · 106</li></ul><ul><li>Ultimate Tensile Strength: 75,000 psi</li></ul><ul><li>Yield Strength: 50,000 psi</li></ul><ul><li>Elongation: 30%</li></ul><ul><li>Hardness (Rockwell B): 78</li></ul><h2>Investment casting manufacturer</h2><p>With world-leading experts, <a href="/additional-capabilities/prototyping" target="_self">rapid prototyping</a> and delivery, and the <a href="/locations" target="_self">most advanced investment casting facilities</a> in the world, Signicast is redefining how today’s manufacturers create, refine and deliver products. Whatever your situation, our expert engineering staff are ready to listen. With 30 <a href="/additional-capabilities/engineering" target="_self">in-house engineers</a>, we partner with you on every project to ensure your component is of the highest possible quality.</p>

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Explore Kovar alloy’s low thermal expansion and reliable sealing performance, ideal for hermetically sealed components used in modern electronic assemblies.

Kovar alloy spotlight | Investment casting article

Kovar, a specialist alloy ideal for creating strong, airtight seals between metal and glass, is offered by Signicast, together with its expertise in producing high-quality parts.

Kovar spotlight

<p><a href="/locations/signicast-hutchins" target="_self">Signicast's Hutchins site</a> is an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer specialising in precision investment castings, with a range of products including various steel, stainless steel and alloy castings. Its in-house capabilities include design engineering support, prototyping, tooling, CAD/CAM, CNC machining, robotic welding, finishing services and component assembly. The site produces custom metal castings from 1/4 ounce to 200 pounds for diverse applications.</p>

Hutchins Facility Spotlight Video

Signicast Hutchins is an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer specialising in precision investment castings, with a range of products including various steel, stainless steel and alloy castings. Its in-house capabilities include design engineering support, prototyping, tooling, CAD/CAM, CNC machining, robotic welding, finishing services and component assembly. The site produces custom metal castings from 1/4 ounce to 200 pounds for diverse applications.

Space & satellites

Space & satellite leaders choose Signicast to help achieve key goals

Enhanced part performance

Improved spacecraft structural integrity

Precision satellite components

Improved time to market

A look at
space and satellite applications

Industry-leading certifications

BEYOND THE BASICS

Deepen your knowledge of investment casting for space & satellites

Article

Article

Video

Global reach, local expertise

Interested in starting your investment casting project?

Space & satellites

Space & satellite leaders choose Signicast to help achieve key goals

Enhanced part performance

Improved spacecraft structural integrity

Precision satellite components

Improved time to market

A look atspace and satellite applications

Industry-leading certifications

BEYOND THE BASICS

Deepen your knowledge of investment casting for space & satellites

Article

Article

Video

Global reach, local expertise

Interested in starting your investment casting project?

A look at
space and satellite applications