NiCu 400 NiCu Alloy


NiCu 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 weld-ability and high strength. A low corrosion rate in rapidly flowing brackish or seawater combined with excellent resistance to stress-corrosion cracking in most freshwater, 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 hydro-chloric and hydro-fluoric acids when they are deaerated. As would be expected from its high copper content, alloy 400 is rapidly attacked by nitric acid and ammonia systems.

NiCu 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.

Characteristics of NiCu 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 freshwater
  • Particularly resistant to hydro-chloric and hydro-fluoric acids when they are deaerated
  • Excellent resistance to neutral and alkaline salt and high resistance to alkalis
  • Resistance to chloride induced stress corrosion cracking
  • Good mechanical properties from sub-zero temperatures up to 1020° F
  • Offers some resistance to hydro-chloric and sulfuric acids at modest temperatures and concentrations, but is seldom the material of choice for these acids

This alloy has a long history of use as a corrosion resistant material, dating back to the early 20th century when it was developed as an attempt to use a high copper content nickel ore. The nickel and copper contents of the ore were in the approximate ratio which is now formally specified for the alloy.

Chemical Composition

C Mn S Si Ni Cu Fe
.30 max 2.00 max .024 max .50 max 63.0 min 28.0-34.0 2.50 max

Corrosion Resistant NiCu 400

NiCu 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.

NiCu 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.

Applications of NiCu 400

  • 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

NiCu 400 Fabrication

NiCu Alloy 400 can easily be welded by gas-tungsten arc, gas metal arc or shielded metal arc processes using appropriate filler metals. There is no need for post weld heat treatment, however, thorough cleaning after welding is critical for optimum corrosion resistance, otherwise there is the risk of contamination and embrittlement.

Finished fabrications can be produced to a wide range of mechanical properties when proper control of the amount of hot or cold working and the selection of appropriate thermal treatments is done.

Like most other nickel alloys, NiCu 400 is typically tough to machine and will work harden. However, excellent results can e obtained if you make the correct choices for tooling and machining.

ASTM Specifications

Pipe Smls Pipe Welded Tube Smls Tube Welded Sheet/Plate Bar Forging Fitting Wire
B165 B725 B163 B127 B164 B564 B366

Mechanical Properties

Typical room temperature Tensile Properties of Annealed Material

Product Form Condition Tensile (ksi) .2% Yield (ksi) Elongation (%) Hardness (HRB)
Rod & Bar Annealed 75-90 25-50 60-35 60-80
Rod & Bar Cold-Drawn Stress Relieved 84-120 55-100 40-22 85-20 HRC
Plate Annealed 70-85 28-50 50-35 60-76
Sheet Annealed 70-85 30-45 45-35 65-80
Tube & Pipe Seamless Annealed 70-85 25-45 50-35 75 max *