A-286 is an iron-nickel-chromium based austenitic alloy which is age hardening, high strength, and maintains performance across a broad range of temperatures.

While still more difficult to work with than stainless steels such as 316 and 310, A-286 can still be cold-worked with satisfactory results.  When compared with other nickel or cobalt based high temperature alloys A-286 is considerably easier to machine.  It can also be solution annealed and age hardened for various applications, and is often treated to provide superior creep strength.  Boyd Aerospace offers a number of value added surfaces, including age hardening and solution annealing.

A-286’s most notable virtue is its wide temperature range.  It can maintain high strength when faced with continuous exposure from -320 to 1300°F (700°C) and remains resistant to oxidation even when continuously exposed to as much as 1500°F and in the face of intermittent temperatures as high as 1800°F.  This impressive temperature tolerance lends itself to numerous applications in high heat environments such as jet engine and steam turbine components, and fasteners and springs in high temperature settings.  It is also useful in cryogenics and other low temperature environments.