Nickel 200
Nickel 200 is a commercially pure wrought nickel (99% Ni minimum) with strong resistance to caustic alkalis and to neutral and reducing media. Its high nickel content is approved for continuous service up to 315°C (600°F); above this temperature, graphitisation of carbon can compromise long-term integrity, and Nickel 201 is preferred.
1. Chemical Composition
The table below lists the elemental composition limits for Nickel 200. The near-pure nickel basis with controlled trace element maxima governs its corrosion and fabrication behaviour.
| GRADE | UNS Designation |
Standard (Pipe) |
Chemical Requirement (Max) | |||||||||||||
| C | Mn | P | S | Si | Ni | Cr | Mo | Cu | Fe | Ti | Al | Co | ||||
| Nickel 200 | N02200 | B161 | 0.15 | 0.35 | 0.010 | 0.35 | min 99.0 | 0.25 | 0.4 | |||||||
2. Mechanical Properties
These typical mechanical values apply to Nickel 200 in the annealed condition for seamless pipe and tube product forms per ASTM B161 and B163.
| Grade | Condition & Size | Tensile Min, MPa (ksi) | Yield Min, MPa (ksi) | Elongation Min, % |
| Nickel 200 | Annealed: OD ≤ 127 mm | 380 (55) | 105 (15) | 35 |
| Nickel 200 | Annealed: OD > 127 mm | 380 (55) | 80 (12) | 40 |
| Nickel 200 | Stress-Relieved: All sizes | 450 (65) | 275 (40) | 15 |
3. Equivalent Grade
The table below aligns Nickel 200 with its international material equivalents across national standards, useful for cross-border documentation and material substitution decisions.
| GRADE | UNS | WERKSTOFF NR | AFNOR | EN | JIS | BS | GOST |
| Nickel 200 | N02200 | 2.4066 | N-100M | Ni 99.2 | NW 2200 | NA 11 | НП-2 |
4. Key Technical Advantages
- Caustic Alkali Resistance: Nickel 200 has outstanding resistance to concentrated sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) at all concentrations and temperatures up to about 315°C. Above this temperature, the low-carbon Nickel 201 (UNS N02201) is recommended to prevent graphitisation embrittlement.
- Neutral and Reducing Media Compatibility: The high nickel content provides effective resistance to non-oxidising mineral acids (hydrochloric, sulfuric at low concentrations), organic acids, and dry gases including chlorine and hydrogen chloride below the dew point.
- Magnetostrictive and Electrical Properties: Nickel 200 is ferromagnetic below its Curie temperature (~360°C) and has relatively high electrical and thermal conductivity. These properties make it suitable for electronic and transducer applications beyond conventional corrosion service.
Technical Note: Nickel 200 is not recommended above 315°C due to graphitisation risk from carbon precipitation. It is also susceptible to intergranular embrittlement in sulfur-bearing atmospheres at elevated temperatures.
5. Common Manufacturing Standards
- ASTM B161: Standard specification for nickel seamless pipe and tube, covering UNS N02200 (Nickel 200) in seamless pipe and tube form for pressure service.
- ASTM B163: Standard specification for seamless nickel and nickel alloy condenser and heat exchanger tubes, including Nickel 200 for heat transfer applications.
- DIN 17751 / ISO 6207: European standard for nickel alloy tubes; Nickel 200 is designated 2.4060 under EN classification.
- JIS H4552: Japanese Industrial Standard for nickel and nickel alloy pipes and tubes, covering NW2200 designation.
- GB/T 2882: Chinese national standard covering pure nickel pipes and tubes, designation N6.
- GOST 14163: Russian standard for seamless tubes from nickel and nickel alloys, covering NP-2 grade.
Manufacturing Standards Comparison Table:
| Standard | GB | EN/DIN | JIS | GOST |
| ASTM B161 (Pipe) | GB/T 2882 | EN ISO 6207 (2.4060) | JIS H4552 | GOST 14163 |
| ASTM B163 (Tube) | GB/T 2882 | EN ISO 6207 (2.4060) | JIS H4552 | GOST 14163 |
6. Primary Applications
- Caustic Soda Production: Evaporator tubes, piping, and vessels in chlor-alkali plants handling concentrated NaOH solutions at elevated temperatures. Nickel 200's caustic resistance is unmatched by stainless steels in this service.
- Food Processing: Heat exchanger tubes and product-contact piping in alkaline food and beverage manufacturing, where the absence of contaminating alloying elements is an advantage.
- Electronic and Electrical Components: Vacuum tubes, magnetostrictive transducers, and cathode assemblies where specific magnetic and electrical properties are needed alongside corrosion resistance.
- Aerospace: High-purity piping and fittings for fuel system components and speciality chemical handling where contamination from alloying elements must be avoided.
- Plating Industry: Anode and piping materials in electroplating baths handling fluoride compounds and other aggressive plating chemistry where stainless steels are unsuitable.