Material Family

Commercially Pure Nickel (Wrought)

The baseline, ductile nickel material with no intentional alloying additions for strength.

Common Designations

Nickel 200: UNS N02200, W.Nr. 2.4060, 2.4066
Nickel 201: UNS N02201, W.Nr. 2.4061, 2.4068

Nickel 201 is preferred for service above 315°C (600°F) due to its lower carbon content.

Distinguishing Feature

High purity, ductility, and conductivity. The primary distinction between 200 and 201 is carbon content for high-temperature stability.

Nickel 201 should be specified for elevated temperature applications to prevent graphite embrittlement.

Chemical Composition (Typical wt.%)

Ni (+Co): ≥ 99.0
C:/
• 200: ≤ 0.15
• 201: ≤ 0.02
Fe: ≤ 0.40
Mn: ≤ 0.35
Cu: ≤ 0.25
Si: ≤ 0.35
S: ≤ 0.01

The very low carbon in Nickel 201 prevents the formation of detrimental graphite at grain boundaries during prolonged high-temperature exposure.

Mechanical Properties (Annealed Plate, Room Temp)

Tensile Strength (Rm): 380 - 550 MPa
Yield Strength (Rp0.2): 100 - 275 MPa
Elongation (A): 40 - 55%

Lower strength but much higher ductility compared to alloyed nickels. Excellent for deep drawing and severe forming.

Physical Properties

Density: 8.89 g/cm³
Melting Point: 1435-1445 °C
Thermal Conductivity: 70 W/m·K (at 100°C)
Useful Service Range: Cryogenic to ~315°C (600°F) for 200; up to ~600°C (1110°F) for 201.

Notable for its high thermal and electrical conductivity among nickel alloys.

Key Corrosion Resistance Attributes

• Excellent resistance to caustic alkalis (sodium/potassium hydroxide) in all concentrations up to the boiling point.• Excellent resistance to neutral and reducing salts, and organic acids.• Good resistance to dilute hydrochloric and sulfuric acids at room temperature.• Poor resistance to oxidizing acids (e.g., nitric acid) and ammonia solutions.

The benchmark material for handling hot, concentrated caustic soda (NaOH).

Key Standards (Plate)

ASTM B162 / ASME SB-162 (Standard Specification for Nickel Plate, Sheet, and Strip)

ASTM B162 is the primary specification, covering both N02200 and N02201.

Typical Applications

• Chemical Processing: Caustic evaporators, reaction vessels, and piping for NaOH/KOH.
• Food & Pharmaceutical Processing: Equipment requiring high purity and cleanability.
• Electroplating: Anode baskets, fixtures.
• Aerospace & Electronics: Waveguide tubes, battery components, shielding.
• Marine: Freshwater heat exchanger tubes.

The primary material for caustic handling and applications requiring pure nickel's unique physical properties.