Nickel Alloy C-276 and Hastelloy C-276, commonly known as UNS N10276, is generally considered the most versatile corrosion resistant alloy available, comprised of nickel, molybdenum, chromium, iron and tungsten. These elements combined results outstanding corrosion resistant properties particularly crevice and pitting, allowing for its use in a broad range of corrosive environments. It displays tremendous resistance to many acids, including sulfuric, acetic, phosphoric, formic, nitric, hydrochloric, and hydrofluoric compounds, which is why it is so popular in chemical and food processing environments including strong oxidizers.
Nickel Alloy C-276 is a fairly normal alloy in the sense that it can be impact extruded, forged and hot upset forged by conventional means. It has good machineability as it can be successfully press formed, spun, punched or deep-drawn; however it does have a tendency to work harden as is true of the nickel base alloys in general. It can be welded by all common methods such as gas metal-arc, resistance welding, gas tungsten-arc or shielded metal-arc. Applying minimum heat input combined with sufficient penetration can reduce hot cracking to avoid the possibility of carburization. Two methods that are not recommended are submerged arc welding and oxyacetylene welding when the component is to be used in a corrosive environment. A welding advantage of Nickel Alloy C-276 is that it can be used in the “as-welded” condition without further heat treatment for most corrosive applications.