Nickel Alloy 400 (2.4360)

Q: What are the Physical Properties of Alloy 400?

Typical values: density 8.8 g/cm3; melting point 1300-1350 C; thermal conductivity approx 22 W/m K; thermal expansion approx 13.9 x 10^-6 per K; electrical resistivity approx 0.43 micro-ohm m. These support reliable performance across wide temperature ranges and harsh environments.

Q: Are there Alternatives or Related Grades to Alloy 400?

Related grades include: Alloy 405 (UNS N04405, free machining with added sulfur); Alloy K500 (UNS N05500, precipitation hardened for higher strength and hardness); Alloy 600 (UNS N06600, Ni Cr for high temperature oxidation resistance); Nickel 200/201 (UNS N02200 N02201, commercially pure nickel for strongly reducing or caustic environments). Selection depends on fabrication needs, environment and mechanical requirements.

Q: What is the Chemical Composition of Alloy 400?

Typical composition in percent: Nickel 66.0-70.0; Copper 29.0-33.0; Iron 1.5 max; Manganese 2.0 max; Carbon 0.15 max; Silicon 0.50 max; Sulfur 0.015 max. The Ni Cu chemistry provides resistance in neutral and reducing environments including seawater and hydrofluoric acid.

Q: Where is Alloy 400 Used?

Common applications: heat exchangers and condensers; marine hardware and pump shafts; offshore oil and gas piping, risers and valves; power generation condensers and boiler auxiliaries; chemical processing vessels, scrubbers and reactor systems. Chosen for the combination of strength, corrosion protection and process efficiency.

Engineered for toughness, trusted for corrosion resistance in marine, chemical, and high-stress industrial environments.

Nickel Alloy 400

Nickel Alloy 400 (UNS N04400 / 2.4360) is a solid-solution nickel-copper alloy designed for exceptional performance in highly corrosive and mechanically demanding conditions. With a typical composition of 66% nickel and 30% copper, it delivers outstanding resistance to seawater, hydrofluoric acid, alkaline salts, and a wide variety of reducing media, making it ideal for harsh marine and chemical process environments.

Alloy 400 resists chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking, enabling long-term reliability in high-salinity systems. Its consistent mechanical strength, excellent thermal conductivity, and low corrosion rate in fast-moving brine environments make it a go-to material for subsea equipment, desalination plants, and heat exchange systems.

Known for its ease of fabrication, welding, and machining, Alloy 400 supports efficient manufacturing and integration into pressure-rated systems, from pump shafts and condensers to offshore risers and boiler feedwater heaters.

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AVAILABLE FORMS

Intamet offers Nickel Alloy 400 in a range of forms, including:

Nickel Alloy 400 combines moderate tensile strength with excellent toughness and ductility, allowing for dependable use in high-pressure and thermally cycled systems.

Typical Mechanical Properties:

Tensile Strength: 480–620 MPa - Delivers strong resistance to tensile loads in pressurised systems and structural supports.

Yield Strength (0.2% proof): ~170 MPa - Allows for moderate deformation without permanent damage under load.

Elongation at Break: ~30% - Ensures ductility for forming, welding, and bending applications.

Hardness (Brinell): ~110 HB - Offers light wear resistance while maintaining machinability for detailed components.

Modulus of Elasticity: ~179 GPa - Provides stiffness and dimensional stability in dynamic or load-sensitive environments.

This mechanical profile makes Alloy 400 a practical solution for marine hardware, heat exchangers, and oil & gas components requiring both strength and corrosion tolerance.

What are the Physical Properties of Alloy 400?

Nickel Alloy 400 exhibits reliable physical behaviour across a wide temperature range, supporting both thermal conductivity and dimensional consistency in harsh environments.

Typical Physical Properties:

Density: 8.8 g/cm³ - Delivers structural integrity in moderate-weight designs, ideal for submerged or suspended assemblies.

Melting Point: 1300–1350 °C - Supports safe operation under sustained high temperatures, including steam or flue gas exposure.

Thermal Conductivity: ~22 W/m·K - Enables efficient heat transfer in condensers, exchangers, and process systems.

Thermal Expansion Coefficient: ~13.9 × 10⁻⁶/K - Maintains dimensional stability under thermal cycling, critical for flange connections and bolted assemblies.

Electrical Resistivity: ~0.43 µΩ·m - Provides conductive performance in electrochemical or marine power systems.

These traits support long service life and reduced maintenance in heat, flow, or current-sensitive industrial systems.

Are there Alternatives or Related Grades to Alloy 400?

Several closely related grades and enhanced versions of Alloy 400 exist, offering specific improvements in machinability, strength, or high-temperature resistance.

Alloy 405 (UNS N04405): A free-machining variant of Alloy 400, with added sulfur to improve chip-breaking during machining.

Alloy K500 (UNS N05500): A precipitation-hardened version of Alloy 400 with significantly higher strength and hardness, suitable for marine shafts, pumps, and fasteners.

Alloy 600 (UNS N06600): A nickel-chromium alloy offering improved oxidation resistance at high temperatures, commonly used in heat treatment and nuclear applications.

Nickel 200/201 (UNS N02200 / N02201): Pure nickel grades offering superior resistance in strongly reducing or caustic environments.

These alternatives help tailor material selection based on fabrication needs, environmental severity, and mechanical requirements.

What is the Chemical Composition of Alloy 400?

The corrosion resistance and strength of Alloy 400 stem from its simple but highly effective nickel-copper chemistry. This combination delivers exceptional performance in both neutral and reducing environments, including saltwater and hydrofluoric acid.

Typical Composition (%):

Nickel (Ni): 66.0–70.0
Delivers core corrosion resistance and non-magnetic behaviour.

Copper (Cu): 29.0–33.0
Enhances resistance to acids, alkalis, and fast-flowing seawater.

Iron (Fe): ≤ 1.5
Adds strength while maintaining corrosion resistance.

Manganese (Mn): ≤ 2.0
Supports deoxidation and alloy stability during manufacturing.

Carbon (C): ≤ 0.15
Controls carbide formation and maintains weld integrity.

Silicon (Si): ≤ 0.50
Improves oxidation resistance in high-heat settings.

Sulfur (S): ≤ 0.015
Kept low to protect ductility and corrosion performance.

This chemical balance ensures consistent operation in seawater-facing systems, hydrofluoric acid processes, and chlorinated chemical environments.

Where is Alloy 400 Used?

Thanks to its resistance to saltwater, acids, alkalis, and mechanical fatigue, Alloy 400 is used in critical systems where failure due to corrosion or stress is unacceptable.

Heat Exchangers & Condensers: Offers thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance in water-cooled systems and chemical recovery plants.

Marine Hardware & Pump Shafts: Provides long service life in submerged or splash zone components exposed to brine, wave action, and flow erosion.

Offshore Oil & Gas Systems: Used in piping, risers, and valves exposed to high salinity, dynamic pressure, and sour gas.

Power Generation: Supports thermal transfer and steam integrity in boiler systems and auxiliary condensers.

Chemical Processing Plants: Withstands acids, chlorides, and caustic solutions in vessels, scrubbers, and reactor systems.

Its ability to combine strength, corrosion protection, and process efficiency makes it a trusted material across industries that demand durability and reliability in aggressive conditions.

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Nickel Alloy 400 (2.4360)