NICKEL (200/201)
NICKEL (200/201) Pure Nickel Alloys: The Industrial Equivalent of High Purity Performance
Technical Description
Nickel (200/201) are commercially pure nickel-based alloys, both defined as metals with a minimum nickel content of approximately 99.6%. Their basic difference is the carbon content: Nickel 200 contains a maximum of 0.15% carbon, while the carbon content of Nickel 201 is limited to 0.02%. This difference plays a determining role in high temperature performance and the tendency to graphitisation.
While Nickel 200 is designed for low temperature applications, Nickel 201 is preferred in chemical process equipment used at high temperature with the aim of minimising carbon precipitation. Both alloys show ferromagnetic properties, their electrical conductivity is high and they are resistant to abrasive environments.
In terms of typical mechanical properties, Nickel (200/201) are very similar. At room temperature the tensile strength is approximately 380–450 MPa and the yield strength approximately 100–150 MPa. The ductility values are quite high (40-50% elongation at break), which makes forming and cold working operations easier. Thanks to its high electrical conductivity (~22–23 MS/m) and thermal conductivity (~60 W/m·K), it is widely used in electrical and thermal systems.
The corrosion resistance of these alloys is at the highest level especially in alkaline solutions, acetic acid, hydrogen fluoride, anhydrous environments and dry gas atmospheres. Nevertheless, its durability against oxidising acids (for example nitric acid) is limited. For this reason the environmental conditions should be assessed meticulously when making a selection.
NICKEL (200/201) Relevant Standards
Nickel (200/201) has been defined in compliance with a large number of international standards. They appear in both the ASTM and the AMS standards. The principal norms are as follows:
- ASTM B160: Nickel bar and wire products
- ASTM B162: Sheets and plates
- ASTM B163 / B165: Welded and seamless pipes
- ASTM B366: Welded fittings
- ASTM B564: Flanges and forged parts
- AMS 5553: For Nickel 201 (low-carbon) sheet and strip
- ASTM B162 / ASME SB-162: For plate, sheet and strip in both grades
- ASTM B160 / ASME SB-160: For bar and rod in both grades
These standards set out the production, testing and quality criteria for both aerospace and industrial applications. In addition, they have been assessed in terms of usability in environments containing hydrogen sulphide through compliance with NACE MR0175/ISO 15156.
NICKEL (200/201) Trade Names and Equivalents
Nickel (200/201) is generally obtained under commercial product names. Among these names are the following:
- Nickel® 200 / 201 – Special Metals Corporation (original producer)
- Nicrofer® 200 / 201 – VDM Metals
- Nicorros® 200 / 201 – ThyssenKrupp
- Ni-200 / Ni-201 – General supplier classification
In international equivalent systems they are defined as follows:
- UNS N02200 / N02201
- Werkstoff Nr. 2.4066 / 2.4068
- BS NA11 / NA12 (United Kingdom)
- JIS NW 2200 / 2201 (Japan)
NICKEL (200/201) Application Areas
Nickel (200/201) is preferred especially in fields requiring chemical durability and electrical conductivity. Its application areas are detailed below:
- Chemical and Petrochemical Plants: Alkaline environments (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide) and hydrogenation reactors are the primary areas of use of these alloys. In addition, Nickel 201 is preferred in systems containing HF (hydrogen fluoride) because of its low carbon content.
- Electrical and Electronics Sector: High purity nickel is used in electric heaters, battery connection terminals, electrical contacts and electromagnetic shielding systems. In electronic devices it appears in components resistant to corrosive gases.
- Food and Pharmaceutical Industry: In pharmaceutical production and food processing equipment where sodium hydroxide solutions are frequently used, Nickel 200 can be used with confidence because of its inertness. It is suitable for surface passivation.
- Aerospace Industry: Because of its low magnetic permeability, high thermal stability and ductility it is preferred in some high performance engine components. It can also be used in vacuum systems and cryogenic tanks.
- Cryogenic Applications: Nickel 200 and 201 preserve their ductility at low temperatures. For this reason they are preferred in liquefied gas tanks, vacuum insulated pipes and superconducting systems.
- Metal Plating and Electrolysis Cells: In systems where nickel is used as an anode or cathode, pure nickel alloys are ideal because of their solubility and inertness.
NICKEL (200/201) Advantages
- High Corrosion Resistance: Excellent resistance especially to alkaline solutions. It provides passive protection in non-acidic environments.
- High Electrical and Thermal Conductivity: It is suitable for electronic and thermal systems.
- Magnetic Properties: Thanks to its ferromagnetic structure it can be used in some special electromechanical applications.
- Good Weldability and Formability: It is suitable for cold forming and welding applications.
- Cleanliness and Purity Advantage: Being a pure material makes it possible to use it in fields where ion contamination is not wanted.
NICKEL (200/201) Disadvantages
- Sensitivity to Oxidising Environments: It may corrode rapidly in environments such as nitric acid.
- High Cost: Because of the pure nickel content its cost is high compared with alloy steels.
- Softness and Low Strength: Mechanically it belongs to a lower strength class. For this reason it is used only to a limited extent as a structural element.
- Carbon Precipitation at High Temperature (for Nickel 200): At temperatures above 315 °C carbon precipitation may be experienced. For this reason Nickel 201 should be preferred.
- Being Magnetic: In some applications this may be an unwanted situation. It is not suitable for anti-magnetic applications.
The Selection Criterion Between NICKEL (200/201)
In practice the difference between these two alloys is mostly determined by the operating temperature. Nickel 200 is suitable for below 315°C; Nickel 201 for environments above 315°C. The lower carbon content of Nickel 201 reduces the tendency to graphitisation and thereby preserves toughness and chemical stability even at high temperature.
Since their mechanical properties are otherwise similar, factors such as process compatibility, weldability and surface finishing may also be decisive in the selection.
NICKEL (200/201) Conclusion and Industrial Evaluation
Nickel (200/201) is among the most widely accepted options industrially within the pure nickel-based alloys. Their chemical stability, electrical conductivity and ease of forming make them indispensable in both process-based and component-based applications.
The correct selection, however, is closely related to the operating temperature and the chemistry of the environment. While both alloys can be used with confidence in abrasive alkaline environments or in cryogenic applications, alternative alloys should be preferred for oxidising environments.
NICKEL (200/201) Purchasing and Engineering Notes
- In projects where Nickel (200/201) alloys are used, the correct carbon level should be selected according to the temperature of the application.
- During supply, codes such as UNS N02200 or N02201 should be checked in order to prevent confusion.
- Cleanliness before welding in the manufacturing process is particularly important for the low carbon Nickel 201.
- Compliance with the relevant ASTM and AMS standards should always be documented, and a certificate should be requested especially for parts used in critical processes.
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| Chemical Composition | | Room Temperature Mechanical Properties | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade | Nickel 200 (2.4060- 2.4066) | Properties | Values |
| Ni+Co | min 99.0% | Density (Specific Gravity) | 8890 kg/m³ |
| Fe | max 0.40% | Melting Point | 1435 – 1446 °C |
| C | max 0.15% | | |
| Mn | max 0.35% | | |
| Si | max 0.35% | | |
| S | max 0.01% | | |
| Cu | max 0.25% | |
We supply this material
We supply Nickel 200 (2.4066) and Nickel 201 (2.4068) — in the dimensions and forms required. For stock availability and pricing:
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