Nickel is a versatile element that can be combined with many other metals to create alloys that have improved corrosion or high-temperature strength. These alloys are known as nickel-based superalloys and have applications across the energy, chemical, aerospace industries and more. However, when working with ni alloy, there are a few things that must be taken into account to ensure a successful fabrication.
Alloys containing nickel tend to have excellent resistance to corrosion by a variety of media and can hold their own against severe conditions at temperatures up to 1000°C. However, these properties can often be improved even further by adding additional elements.
Nickel will readily alloy with copper, chromium, iron and molybdenum. In addition, the atomic structure of nickel allows it to be combined with most other elements to produce a series of highly beneficial alloys that are widely used in a range of industrial applications.
Cu-ni alloys have a very broad melting point range and can be used at temperatures up to 1100°C. The wrought Cu-ni alloys standardised in EN contain manganese and iron, which significantly improve their resistance to corrosion and erosion.
For example, Inconel 800 (Ni-46Fe-21Cr) has superb resistance to severely corrosive environments and can endure prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures. This is made possible by a combination of its excellent carburization resistance, internal oxidation protection and resistance to sulfur attack. The presence of chromium in the alloy also enhances its oxidation resistance and provides an effective barrier to hydrogen embrittlement.
