NICKEL ALLOYS

Nickel-based alloys for extreme environments

Nickel alloys are alloys consisting of nickel, with additional metals and chemicals, depending on what type of properties the alloy should have. The most common mix is nickel-chromium, but molybdenum, copper, and titanium are also frequently used in these types of alloys.

In general, ni-based materials are known for their excellent corrosion and heat resistance while also maintaining outstanding strength. These properties make them ideal for use in high-temperature and high-chloride environments. However, there are also nickel alloys that are intended for cryogenic conditions (i.e temperatures below -150° C).

The material’s many advantages makes it a popular choice for a variety of industries, including paper and pulp, oil and gas, aerospace, and chemical processing. Regardless of your needs, we at Sverdrup Steel have the perfect ni-based alloy for your project.

The advantages of Nickel alloys:

• High strength
• Superior resistance to heat
• Cold resistance (selected alloys)
• Excellent corrosion resistance
• High tensile and creep strength 
• Very good weldability

Our Ni-based alloys

At Sverdrup Steel, we offer a variety of Ni-based alloys for all kinds of purposes and industrial environments. Read more about our Ni-based alloys below, and click on the alloy name to go to the specific product page. Selecting an alloy gives you detailed information about everything from chemical compositions to corrosion resistant properties. 

Alloy 625 (UNS N06625)

Alloy 625 is a nickel, chromium and molybdenum alloy with addition of niobium. This provides a high strength alloy without a strengthening heat treatment. The alloy is especially resistant to pitting and crevice corrosion but also other severely corrosive environments. Service temperatures range from cryogenic to about 1000°C. This alloy is characterized by high strength, outstanding fatigue and thermal strength, high oxidation resistance and excellent weldability. Typical areas of use include marine engineering, chemical processing and industrial applications in the oil and gas industry.

Alloy 718 (UNS N07718)

Alloy 718 is an age-hardened nickel-chromium alloy containing significant amounts of iron, niobium and molybdenum, together with smaller amounts of aluminum and titanium. This composition provides a high strength alloy combined with good corrosion resistant abilities. Service temperatures range from -250°C to about 650°C. Additionally, 718 is easily weldable and often used for applications such as pumps, gas turbines, rocket motors and nuclear reactors. 

Alloy 31 (UNS N08031)

Alloy 31 is a nickel, chromium and molybdenum stainless steel with nitrogen and copper added. It combines moderate tensile strength and high ductility with excellent corrosion resistance to sulfuric acid, as well as reducing and oxidizing agents. In addition, Alloy 31 has strong resistance to corrosion and erosion-corrosion in phosphoric environments. Typically the alloy has PREN of ≥ 48, which ensures high pitting corrosion resistance, making it an ideal choice for seawater heat applications, the mining industry, ore processing and more. 

Alloy K500 (UNS N05500)

Alloy K500 is a precipitation-age hardenable nickel-copper alloy. The alloy is non-magnetic to temperatures below -101°C, although it can withstand much lower temperatures. Tensile strength and yield strength increase with decreased temperature, while ductility and toughness are virtually unaffected. K500’s combination of low magnetic permeability, high strength and good corrosion resistance has been used to advantage in many applications, notably oil-well surveying equipment and electronic components.

Find the right stainless steel or nickel alloy for your project

In addition to nickel alloys, we offer a great selection of stainless steel materials, ranging from austenitic and martensitic alloys to duplex and super duplex. 

Use our handy calculating and converting tools to compare different alloys and their properties. Are you working in a marine environment? Then use our PREN calculator to assess the localized pitting resistance of different alloys. Do you need to measure the weight of different materials? Then our Material Weight Calculator is the tool for you. Furthermore, we have conversion tools to help you convert the hardness of steel using Brinell, Rockwell B and C and Vickers scales, as well as a ksi to MPa conversion tool.