Specifications

Chemical composition and mechanical properties

Nickel includes cobalt. Limits as given in ASTM B160, B161 and B162.

Values for hot-rolled annealed plate; other forms and conditions as given in each standard.

Actual values for each heat are reported on the mill test certificate.

Why Nickel 200 / 201

Nickel 200 / 201 is commercially pure nickel with at least 99% nickel, with Nickel 201 the low-carbon grade for service above about 315 °C. It is chosen for caustic soda and caustic potash at high concentrations and temperatures, food products, distilled water, dry chlorine and hydrogen chloride at moderate temperatures. Compared with stainless steels, nickel resists hot concentrated caustic without stress corrosion cracking; Nickel 201 is chosen over Nickel 200 above about 315 °C to avoid graphitisation; it is not suitable for oxidising acids.

Nickel 200 or 201 plate?

Nickel 200 plate is used for equipment operating up to about 315 °C; Nickel 201 plate, with low carbon, is used above that temperature to avoid graphitisation, and is slightly softer for deep drawing and spinning. Both are very ductile and form easily by bending, rolling, spinning and deep drawing in the annealed condition.

Equipment made from nickel plate

Nickel plate is used for caustic evaporator bodies and concentrator vessels, caustic storage and fusion pots, chlor-alkali cell components, food-processing kettles and vessels where product purity matters, and anodes for electroplating. For large vessels, nickel-clad carbon steel plate can reduce cost. Plates are cut by plasma or water-jet, and sheet by shearing or laser.

Welding and fabrication

Nickel 200 / 201 is welded by TIG, MIG and manual arc processes with ERNi-1 filler metal, on clean joints free of oil, paint, marking crayon, sulphur and lead, using low heat input and controlled interpass temperatures. Heat tint is removed and welds are pickled where corrosion resistance at the weld matters. Fabrication areas should be kept separate from carbon steel, and dedicated tools used to avoid iron contamination.

Testing and ordering

Common supplementary requirements are positive material identification, ultrasonic or eddy-current testing and third-party inspection by the buyer's nominated agency. Please give the grade and specification, product type, size, schedule or class, quantity and any testing or inspection requirement with your enquiry. Each piece is marked with grade, specification, size and heat number, packed in wooden boxes or on pallets, and traceable to its mill test certificate.

Sizes, supply and packing

Sheets are supplied in standard mill sizes and plates in hot-rolled widths and lengths, or cut to size by shearing, plasma or water-jet. Circles, rings and blanks for tube sheets and flanges can be cut from plate. Sheets are packed flat on pallets with interleaving to protect the surface, and plates on wooden skids. Each piece keeps the heat number of the parent plate for traceability through fabrication.

Certification and traceability

Nickel 200 and 201 differ only in carbon content, which cannot be checked by a portable analyser, so traceability to the mill test certificate is essential. Every piece carries its grade and heat number, and the certificate reports nickel, carbon and other elements and the mechanical properties. Please state whether Nickel 200 or Nickel 201 is required, or whether dual-certified material is acceptable, with the enquiry.

Applications and related products

Nickel sheets and plates are used in caustic soda and chlor-alkali plants, food processing, synthetic fibre production, electroplating, and electrical and electronic parts. Matching products include nickel alloy pipes and tubes and nickel alloy round bars. Background on the alloy is on the Nickel 200 page. Other materials are on our plates and sheets pages.