Nickel-copper alloy Monel 400 Equivalents: UNS N04400/Alloy 400/Werkstoff 2.4360
Monel 400 is a nickel-copper alloy (about 67% Ni – 23% Cu) that is resistant to sea water and steam at high temperatures as well as to salt and caustic solutions. Alloy 400 is a solid solution alloy that can only be hardened by cold working. This nickel alloy exhibits characteristics like good corrosion resistance, good weldability and high strength. A low corrosion rate in rapidly flowing brackish or seawater combined with excellent resistance to stress-corrosion cracking in most freshwaters, and its resistance to a variety of corrosive conditions led to its wide use in marine applications and other non-oxidizing chloride solutions. This nickel alloy is particularly resistant to hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids when they are de-aerated. As would be expected from its high copper content, alloy 400 is rapidly attacked by nitric acid and ammonia systems.
Monel 400 has great mechanical properties at subzero temperatures, can be used in temperatures up to 1000° F, and its melting point is 2370-2460° F. However, alloy 400 is low in strength in the annealed condition so, a variety of tempers may be used to increase the strength.
In what forms is Monel 400 Available?
Sheet
Plate
Bar
Pipe & Tube (welded & seamless)
Fittings (i.e. flanges, slip-ons, blinds, weld-necks, lapjoints, long welding necks, socket welds, elbows, tees, stub-ends, returns, caps, crosses, reducers, and pipe nipples)
Wire
What are the characteristics of Monel 400?
Resistant to seawater and steam at high temperatures
Excellent resistance to rapidly flowing brackish water or seawater
Excellent resistance to stress corrosion cracking in most freshwaters
Particularly resistant to hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids when they are de-aerated
Offers some resistance to hydrochloric and sulfuric acids at modest temperatures and concentrations, but is seldom the material of choice for these acids
Excellent resistance to neutral and alkaline salt
Resistance to chloride induced stress corrosion cracking
Good mechanical properties from sub-zero temperatures up to 1020° F
High resistance to alkalis
Corrosion Resistant Monel 400
Alloy 400 is virtually immune to chloride ion stress corrosion cracking in typical environments. Generally, its corrosion resistance is very good in reducing environments, but poor in oxidizing conditions. It is not useful in oxidizing acids, such as nitric acid and nitrous. Nevertheless, it is resistant to most alkalis, salts, waters, food products, organic substances and atmospheric conditions at normal and elevated temperatures.
This nickel alloy is attacked in sulfur-bearing gases above approximately 700° F and molten sulfur attacks the alloy at temperatures over approximately 500° F.
Monel 400 offers about the same corrosion resistance as nickel but with higher maximum working pressures and temperatures and at a lower cost due to its superior ability to be machined.
In what applications is Monel 400 used?
Marine engineering
Chemical and hydrocarbon processing equipment
Gasoline and freshwater tanks
Crude petroleum stills
De-aerating heaters
Boiler feed water heaters and other heat exchangers
Valves, pumps, shafts, fittings, and fasteners
Industrial heat exchangers
Chlorinated solvents
Crude oil distillation towers