Nickel Alloys – Unlocking the Strength and Versatility of a Metallic Marvel
Nickel alloys display the strength of nickel – one of the strongest metals in existence – with flexibility that allows it to be worked and formed without becoming brittle. They also possess corrosion resistance and other desirable properties that make them well-suited for various applications.
High-Temperature Resistance
Nickel alloy Houston, TX, resists various environments and can be used in multiple applications. They are particularly strong at high temperatures, making them a popular choice for critical applications where failure could lead to serious consequences. For example, jet engine blades must be able to operate at very high temperatures and in gas environments that can be highly oxidizing. Finding a material that can meet these demands is challenging, and nickel alloys do the job well. Nickel alloys, alloyed with copper, offer excellent electrical conductivity at high temperatures and resist acid corrosion. They are, therefore, ideal for marine environments where they are often used to make propellers, bilge pumps and valves. Medical equipment must be able to be sterilized either with harsh solvents or high temperatures, and nickel alloys are a popular choice for stents. They have the unique property of expanding when implanted but returning to their original shape.
Corrosion Resistance
Nickel is essential in many stainless steel alloys, boosting their corrosion resistance, toughness and flexibility. Nickel is also used in plating and has catalytic properties that find use in batteries, chemical reactions and more. Nickel is also a popular choice for medical implants due to its biocompatibility. However, their ability to resist corrosion in various media and temperatures sets the Nickel Alloys apart. This makes them perfect for equipment that can withstand the harshest conditions. After all, time is money, and no one wants to spend it replacing equipment weakened or degraded by corrosive environmental factors.
Wear Resistance
A versatile metal that can be alloyed with many other elements, nickel combines well with copper, iron, and chromium to produce a wide range of high-performance alloys. These nickel alloys exhibit varying resistances to corrosion, oxidation, and high temperatures and have exceptional mechanical strength, toughness and ductility. Some of the most commonly used nickel alloys include Inconel, Monel and Hastelloy. They’re used in several critical applications, such as chemical processing, nuclear energy development and marine environments. They’re also utilized in tubing products, such as gas transport and oil pipelines. Proper preheating and post-weld heat treatment are essential for the best results when welding nickel alloys. These processes help to prevent cracking, distortion or localized alloy variations at the weld joint.
Weldability
Nickel is a versatile metal paired with other alloys to create various mechanical properties. The combination of strength and flexibility makes nickel alloys desirable in energy development, chemical, marine, aerospace arenas and more. Many nickel alloys can withstand corrosive environments. For example, nickel-iron-chromium (NiFeCr) alloys are used in hermetic seals for X-ray tubes and in applications at cryogenic temperatures. The nickel-iron-copper (NiCu) alloys are also corrosion-resistant by alkaline solutions and non-oxidizing salts. Welding nickel alloys is easy with the MIG and TIG welding processes. It is important to use 2% thoriated tungsten electrodes when welding these alloys. It is also important to grind off the surface oxides between weld passes. This will help prevent hydrogen from forming in the weld puddle. This can lead to cracking and warping of the welded joint. This is particularly critical for high-performance nickel alloys like Inconel and Hastelloy.
