Low Carbon Content: Maximum 0.02% carbon prevents embrittlement and graphitization at temperatures above 600°F (315°C), enabling reliable high-temperature service up to 1250°F.
Outstanding Caustic Resistance: Provides exceptional corrosion resistance to concentrated caustic alkalis (NaOH, KOH), making it the standard material for evaporators and concentrators in chemical processing.
High Conductivity: Exhibits excellent thermal (70.4 W/m·K) and electrical (9.6 µΩ·cm) conductivity, along with useful ferromagnetic properties for electronic and aerospace applications.
Excellent Fabricability: Readily formed, welded, and machined using standard techniques; typically welded with ERNi-1 filler metal without requiring preheating.
Nickel 201 (UNS N02201) is a commercially pure wrought nickel alloy with a controlled low carbon content (0.02% maximum). It is a lower-carbon version of Nickel 200 (0.15% max carbon), specifically developed to prevent embrittlement and graphitization when exposed to elevated temperatures above 600°F (315°C) .
This alloy offers excellent mechanical properties over a wide temperature range, combined with outstanding corrosion resistance to caustic alkalis, chlorine, and neutral salt solutions. Nickel 201 also exhibits high thermal and electrical conductivity, as well as useful magnetic and magnetostrictive properties .
For applications requiring superior performance in caustic environments or high-temperature service, Nickel 201 plate provides a reliable, cost-effective solution.
Key Specifications & Standards
Nickel 201 plate is manufactured in compliance with international standards for chemical composition and mechanical properties.
| Specification | Standard |
|---|---|
| ASTM | ASTM B162 / ASME SB-162 |
| UNS | N02201 |
| DIN/EN | Ni 99.2 / 2.4068 |
| W.N.r | 2.4068 |
| Other Standards | ISO 6208, BS 3072-3076 |
Chemical Composition
The key difference between Nickel 201 and Nickel 200 is the significantly lower carbon content, which eliminates the risk of graphitization at elevated temperatures.
| Element | Content (%) – Nickel 201 | Content (%) – Nickel 200 (for reference) |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel (Ni) | ≥ 99.0 | ≥ 99.0 |
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.02 | ≤ 0.15 |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.40 | ≤ 0.40 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 0.35 | ≤ 0.35 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.35 | ≤ 0.35 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.01 | ≤ 0.01 |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.25 | ≤ 0.25 |
Reference: ASTM B162 chemical requirements for UNS N02201 .
Nickel 201 vs Nickel 200 – Selection Guide
| Application Condition | Recommended Grade |
|---|---|
| Service temperature below 600°F (315°C) | Nickel 200 (more economical) |
| Service temperature above 600°F (315°C) | Nickel 201 (required to prevent embrittlement) |
| Intermittent high temperature exposure | Nickel 201 |
| Welded components for high temperature service | Nickel 201 |
| Caustic service at any temperature | Both acceptable; Nickel 201 preferred for welded caustic concentrators |
