Nickel 200 and Nickel 201 are commercially pure wrought nickel grades known for their excellent corrosion resistance, outstanding ductility, thermal stability, and reliable electrical performance. They are widely used in chemical processing, electronics, aerospace, food handling, and high-temperature systems.
Grade Overview
| Grade | UNS | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel 200 | N02200 | Standard commercially pure nickel |
| Nickel 201 | N02201 | Low-carbon, high-temperature grade |
Strengthening & Metallurgical Behavior
Crystal Structure:
Face-Centered Cubic (FCC), providing excellent ductility and toughness.
Strengthening Methods:
Cold working (rolling, drawing), grain refinement, and minor solid-solution effects.
These grades are not precipitation hardenable.
High-Temperature Behavior
| Grade | Temperature Performance |
|---|---|
| Nickel 200 | Susceptible to graphitization above ~315 °C due to carbon content |
| Nickel 201 | Low carbon prevents embrittlement; suitable for continuous service up to ~600 °C |
Refining & Processing Properties
Refining:
Electrolytic refining and carbonyl (Mond) process for ultra-high purity grades.
Fabrication:
Outstanding formability, excellent weldability (GTAW, GMAW, laser),
readily brazed and soldered, and easily machined with sharp tooling.
Available Forms
Sheets & plates
Foils
Bars & rods
Wire
Pipes & tubes
Forgings
Key Characteristics
✔ High purity nickel content
✔ Exceptional ductility and formability
✔ Good electrical & thermal conductivity
✔ Stable magnetic behavior
✔ Excellent surface finish capability
✔ Reliable chemical resistance
Applications
Nickel 200
Chemical processing equipment
Food processing machinery
Electronics & electrical components
Heat exchangers
Non-critical aerospace parts
Nickel 201
High-temperature chemical vessels
Heat treatment fixtures
Molten caustic handling
Battery & energy systems
Nuclear and aerospace components
Advantages
✔ Excellent corrosion resistance
✔ Outstanding ductility & formability
✔ High purity & consistency
✔ Good thermal & electrical conductivity
✔ Long service life
✔ Widely accepted international standards
Limitations
❌ Higher cost than stainless steel
❌ Moderate mechanical strength
❌ Magnetic behavior may be limiting
❌ Machining requires care
Why Choose Nickel 200 or Nickel 201?
Choose Nickel 200 when:
General corrosion resistance is required, operating temperature is below 315 °C,
and cost optimization matters.
Choose Nickel 201 when:
Operating temperatures exceed 315 °C, carbon-induced embrittlement must be avoided,
and long-term thermal stability is critical.
Nickel 200 / 201 are benchmark pure-nickel grades—trusted worldwide for chemical, thermal, and electrical performance where reliability and purity matter more than extreme strength.