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Nickel Alloy 200 and Nickel Alloy 201 pipes are commercially pure wrought nickel piping products. With a nickel content typically exceeding 99%, these alloys deliver exceptional resistance to alkaline environments, neutral salts, and many reducing chemical media.
Nickel 201 has a maximum carbon content of 0.02% versus 0.15% for Nickel 200. Nickel 200 and 201 pipes are defined by two ASTM specifications that cover their seamless and welded forms:
ASTM B161: Standard Specification for Nickel Seamless Pipe and Tube
ASME SB-161: ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section II Part B equivalent (identical requirements)
JN Alloys stocks and supplies both Nickel 200 and 201 pipes in all common sizes and schedules, serving customers across the worldwide.
Type | Seamless/Welded/SAW/ERW/EFW Pipe | |
|---|---|---|
End | BE (Beveled End) | |
Size | OD: 1/2"-48" | |
Manufacturing Technique | Hot rolling / Hot work / Cold rolling / Cold-drawn | |
Producing Standard | ASME B36.10 and ASME B36.19 | |
Nickel Grades | ASTM B474 | UNS N02200/N 200, UNS N02201 Ni201, UNS N08020 /Alloy 20 |
ASTM B161 | UNS N02200 / Ni 200,UNS N02201 / Ni201 | |
ASTM B163 | UNS N02200 / Ni 200, UNS N02201 / Ni201 | |
ASTM B729 | UNS NO8020 /Alloy 20 | |
ASTM B464 | UNS NO8020 /Alloy 20 | |
ASTM B622 | UNS N08031 / Alloy 31 | |
Element | Nickel 200 | Nickel 201 | Alloy 31 | Alloy 20 |
Nickel (Ni) | 99.0% min | 99.0% min | 30.0–32.0% | 32.0–38.0% |
Chromium (Cr) | — | — | 26.0–28.0% | 19.0–21.0% |
Molybdenum (Mo) | — | — | 6.0–7.0% | 2.0–3.0% |
Copper (Cu) | 0.25% max | 0.25% max | 1.0–1.4% | 3.0–4.0% |
Iron (Fe) | 0.40% max | 0.40% max | Balance (~33%) | Balance (~38%) |
Carbon (C) | 0.15% max | 0.02% max | 0.015% max | 0.06% max |
Nitrogen (N) | — | — | 0.15–0.25% | — |
Manganese (Mn) | 0.35% max | 0.35% max | 2.0% max | 2.0% max |
Silicon (Si) | 0.35% max | 0.35% max | 0.30% max | 1.0% max |
Sulfur (S) | 0.010% max | 0.010% max | 0.010% max | 0.035% max |
Phosphorus (P) | — | — | 0.020% max | 0.045% max |
Niobium (Nb) | — | — | — | 8xC–1.0% |
Tungsten (W) | — | — | 0.5–1.5% | — |
Titanium (Ti) | — | — | — | — |
Aluminum (Al) | — | — | — | — |
Property | Nickel 200 | Nickel 201 | Alloy 31 | Alloy 20 |
Tensile Strength (UTS) | 462 MPa (67 ksi) min | 462 MPa (67 ksi) min | 700 MPa (101 ksi) typ | 621 MPa (90 ksi) min |
Yield Strength (0.2%) | 148 MPa (21.5 ksi) min | 148 MPa (21.5 ksi) min | 310 MPa (45 ksi) typ | 241 MPa (35 ksi) min |
Elongation in 2" | 40% min | 40% min | 50% typ | 30% min |
Hardness (Brinell) | 130–170 HB | 130–170 HB | 200–250 HB | 160–210 HB |
Modulus of Elasticity | 207 GPa | 207 GPa | 200 GPa | 193 GPa |
Charpy V-Notch (RT) | 140–200 J | 140–200 J | 150–250 J | 100–180 J |
Density | 8.89 g/cm3 | 8.89 g/cm3 | 8.10 g/cm3 | 8.05 g/cm3 |
Thermal Conductivity | 70 W/m·K (RT) | 70 W/m·K (RT) | 12 W/m·K (RT) | 12 W/m·K (RT) |
Temperature | Nickel 200 | Nickel 201 | Alloy 31 | Alloy 20 |
20 deg C | 148 | 148 | 310 | 241 |
100 deg C | 130 | 130 | 275 | 210 |
200 deg C | 110 | 110 | 245 | 185 |
300 deg C | 95 | 95 | 220 | 165 |
400 deg C | CAUTION | 85 | 195 | 145 |
500 deg C | NOT rec. | 70 | 170 | 120 |
600 deg C | NOT rec. | 55 | 135 | 90 |
700 deg C | NOT rec. | 40 | Not rec. | Not rec. |
Grade | ASTM Seamless Pipe | ASTM Welded Pipe | ASTM Tube (HX) | ASTM Plate | ASTM Fittings | ASTM Forgings |
Nickel 200 | B161 | B725 | B163 | B162 | B366 | B564 |
Nickel 201 | B161 | B725 | B163 | B162 | B366 | B564 |
Alloy 31 | B622 | B626 | B163 | B625 | B366 | B564 |
Alloy 20 | B462 | B464 | B468 | B463 | B366 | B472 |
Grade | Seamless Pipe | Welded Pipe | Wall Thickness | Special Notes |
Nickel 200 | 1/8" – 8" | 1/4" – 12" | Sch 10, 40, 80, 160 | Most common in Sch 40 and 80 |
Nickel 201 | 1/8" – 8" | 1/4" – 12" | Sch 10, 40, 80, 160 | Preferred grade for T > 315 deg C |
Alloy 31 | 1/2" – 8" | 2" – 24" | Sch 5S, 10S, 40S, 80S | Fewer producers; longer lead time |
Alloy 20 | 1/2" – 12" | 2" – 24" | Sch 5S, 10S, 40S, 80S | Good availability; multiple producers |
Factor | Seamless (All Grades) | Welded (All Grades) |
Pressure rating | Highest; no weld joint efficiency factor | Requires joint efficiency factor per ASME B31.3 |
Corrosion (pitting/crevice) | No weld seam = no preferential weld attack | Weld seam may be slightly less resistant; solution anneal required |
Size range | Small to medium (1/8" – 12") | Medium to large (2" – 48") |
Cost | 20–40% premium | More economical per meter |
Recommended for | Critical service, high Cl-, high pressure | Moderate service, large diameter, transfer lines |
NDE | UT + hydrostatic standard | 100% UT on weld seam + hydrostatic |
Nickel 200 and 201
· Caustic soda (NaOH) evaporators and piping — all concentrations, up to 140 deg C
· Chlor-alkali plant piping and cell headers
· Food processing: vegetable oil hydrogenation, sugar refining, milk pasteurization
· Pharmaceutical: WFI (Water for Injection) distribution, bioreactor dip pipes
· Aerospace: hydraulic fluid (Skydrol) lines
· Electronics: ultrapure water distribution in semiconductor fabs
Alloy 31 (N08031)
· Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) scrubber inlet and outlet piping
· Seawater cooling systems and desalination plants
· Sour oil and gas production (H2S + Cl- + CO2) piping and flowlines
· Concentrated sulfuric acid (>50%) at elevated temperature
· Pulp and paper: chlorine dioxide bleaching stages
· Chemical processing: aggressive mixed-acid environments
· Offshore platforms: seawater injection and firewater systems
· Pharmaceutical: aggressive cleaning (CIP) systems with hot Cl- solutions
Alloy 20 (N08020)
· Sulfuric acid production, storage, and transfer (up to ~65% at moderate T)
· Petrochemical: alkylation units (H2SO4 catalyst)
· Chemical processing: pickling baths, nitriding, dye manufacturing
· Pharmaceutical: process vessels and piping for organic acid production
· Food processing: citric acid and acetic acid production
· Plating and anodizing baths
· Nuclear fuel reprocessing (dissolver vessels and piping)
Standard | Scope | Nickel 200/201 | Alloy 31 | Alloy 20 |
ASME B31.3 | Process piping | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ASME Section VIII Div. 1 | Pressure vessels | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ASME Section II Part D | Allowable stresses | Yes (N02200/N02201) | Yes (N08031) | Yes (N08020) |
NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 | Sour service | NOT listed | Yes (as 6% Mo alloy) | Yes (as austenitic) |
FDA 21 CFR 175.300 | Food contact | Yes | N/A | N/A |
ASTM B161 | Seamless Ni pipe | Yes | — | — |
ASTM B622 | Seamless Ni-Mo/Cr-Mo pipe | — | Yes | — |
ASTM B462 | Seamless Alloy 20 pipe | — | — | Yes |
ASTM A351 CN7M | Cast Alloy 20 | — | — | Yes (cast equivalent) |
EN 10216-5 | European seamless tube | Yes | Yes | Yes |
• Full grade coverage: We supply all four grades (Nickel 200, 201, Alloy 31, Alloy 20) in seamless and welded pipe forms, with common sizes in stock.
• Grade verification: Every order includes 100% PMI and EN 10204 Type 3.1 mill certificates with actual heat analysis. Carbon content verified for Nickel 201 orders.
• Global delivery: Exported to Southeast Asia, Middle East, Europe, and Americas with full documentation.
• Technical support: Our engineering team advises on grade selection (200 vs 201 vs 31 vs 20), specification compliance, and welding procedures.
• Competitive pricing: Direct manufacturer and stockholder with no intermediaries. Alloy 20 pipe from $250/m; Alloy 31 from $400/m (4" Sch.40, indicative 2026).
• Custom fabrication: Cut-to-length, beveled ends, solution annealing, and NDE services available.
