Nickel 201 丨 UNS N02201
Nickel 201, also known as UNS N02201 or Nickel Alloy 201, is a low-carbon commercially pure wrought nickel alloy designed for excellent resistance to caustic alkalis, good corrosion resistance in neutral and reducing environments, high thermal conductivity, high electrical conductivity and improved elevated-temperature stability compared with Nickel 200. J&A Alloy supplies Nickel 201 in sheet, plate, strip, pipe, tube, bar, rod, wire, forgings, flanges, fittings and custom machined components for chemical processing, caustic soda production, electronics, batteries, food processing, thermal equipment and industrial applications.
Nickel 201丨UNS N02201丨W.Nr 2.4061, 2.4068 Pure Nickel Alloy
Nickel 201 is a low-carbon commercially pure nickel alloy with a high nickel content and a controlled low carbon level. It is commonly identified as Nickel Alloy 201, UNS N02201 and W.Nr. 2.4068 / 2.4061 depending on specification and product form. The alloy was developed as the low-carbon version of Nickel 200 to provide better stability in elevated-temperature service.
Nickel 201 offers excellent resistance to caustic soda, potassium hydroxide and other alkaline media. It also provides good resistance in neutral and reducing environments, high thermal conductivity, high electrical conductivity, good ductility and good fabrication performance.
The key difference between Nickel 201 and Nickel 200 is carbon content. Nickel 201 has a lower carbon limit, which helps reduce the risk of graphitization and embrittlement during prolonged exposure above approximately 315°C. For this reason, Nickel 201 is usually preferred over Nickel 200 for higher-temperature caustic service, hot chemical equipment and thermal applications.
Compared with stainless steels such as 304 and 316L, Nickel 201 offers much better caustic alkali resistance and higher thermal and electrical conductivity. Compared with Monel 400, Nickel 201 has higher nickel purity and stronger caustic alkali resistance, while Monel 400 provides higher strength and better seawater resistance in many environments.
Nickel 201 At a Glance
| Key Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | Nickel 201 / Nickel Alloy 201 |
| UNS Number | N02201 |
| EN / W.Nr. | 2.4068 / 2.4061 |
| Material Type | Low-Carbon Commercially Pure Wrought Nickel |
| Density | Approx. 8.89 g/cm³ |
| PREN | Not typically used for commercially pure nickel |
| Main Advantage | Excellent Caustic Alkali Resistance, High Conductivity and Better High-Temperature Stability Than Nickel 200 |
| Typical Service Temperature | Preferred for service above approx. 315°C where low carbon content is required; final limit depends on media, stress and code requirements |
| Main Industries | Chemical Processing, Caustic Soda, Electronics, Batteries, Food Processing, Thermal Equipment, Industrial Fabrication |
| Comparable Grades | Nickel 200, Monel 400, Alloy 600, 304, 316L, Copper Alloys |
Features of Nickel 201
- Low-carbon commercially pure wrought nickel with excellent chemical stability.
- Excellent resistance to caustic soda, sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.
- Better elevated-temperature stability than Nickel 200 due to lower carbon content.
- Good corrosion resistance in neutral, alkaline and selected reducing environments.
- High thermal conductivity for heat transfer and thermal management applications.
- High electrical conductivity for electronic, battery and conductive components.
- Good ductility, formability and fabrication performance.
- Good weldability using suitable nickel welding procedures.
- Ferromagnetic at room temperature because of its high nickel content.
- Available in sheet, plate, strip, pipe, tube, bar, rod, wire, forgings and custom machined parts.
Chemical Composition of Nickel 201
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Nickel (Ni) | ≥ 99.00 |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.25 |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.40 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 0.35 |
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.02 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.35 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.010 |
Physical Properties of Nickel 201
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Density | Approx. 8.89 g/cm³ / 0.321 lb/in³ |
| Melting Range | Approx. 1435–1446°C / 2615–2635°F |
| Electrical Resistivity | Approx. 0.096 μΩ·m at 20°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | Approx. 70 W/m·K at 20°C |
| Specific Heat Capacity | Approx. 456 J/kg·K |
| Modulus of Elasticity | Approx. 200–207 GPa / 29.0–30.0 × 10⁶ psi |
Mechanical Properties
Mechanical properties of Nickel 201 depend on product form, annealing condition, cold work level, section size and specification. The following values are typical reference values for annealed material. Final acceptance values should be confirmed according to ASTM, ASME, EN or customer-specific requirements.
| Condition | Tensile Strength | Yield Strength | Elongation | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annealed Sheet / Plate | Approx. 345–520 MPa / 50–75 ksi | Approx. 80–170 MPa / 12–25 ksi | Approx. 40–50% | Approx. 55–85 HRB |
| Annealed Bar / Rod | Approx. 345–520 MPa / 50–75 ksi | Approx. 80–170 MPa / 12–25 ksi | Approx. 35–50% | Approx. 55–90 HRB |
| Cold Worked Condition | Higher than annealed condition | Higher than annealed condition | Reduced ductility | Increased hardness depending on cold reduction |
Corrosion Resistance
Nickel 201 provides excellent corrosion resistance in caustic alkalis, especially sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. It is widely selected for caustic soda production, alkali evaporators, caustic tanks, heaters, piping and process equipment where stainless steels may suffer corrosion or stress corrosion cracking.
Because Nickel 201 has a low carbon content, it is preferred over Nickel 200 for higher-temperature caustic service. The low carbon level reduces the risk of graphitization and embrittlement during prolonged exposure at elevated temperatures, making Nickel 201 suitable for hot alkali handling equipment and thermal processing components.
Nickel 201 performs well in neutral and reducing environments, including selected organic acids, dry gases, anhydrous ammonia, food-grade media and alkaline solutions. Its high purity makes it useful for high-cleanliness chemical, food, pharmaceutical and electronic applications.
For pitting and crevice corrosion, Nickel 201 is not normally the first choice for stagnant seawater, hot chlorides or oxidizing chloride-acid media. In severe chloride or seawater environments, Monel 400, Alloy 625, Alloy 825, Hastelloy C-276, Hastelloy C-22 or super duplex stainless steels may provide stronger long-term resistance.
In acid environments, Nickel 201 can provide useful resistance in selected reducing acids and neutral salts, but it has limited resistance to oxidizing acids such as nitric acid. For mixed acid, oxidizing chloride or severe chemical processing environments, dedicated corrosion-resistant nickel alloys should be evaluated.
High Temperature Performance
High-temperature stability is one of the key reasons for selecting Nickel 201 instead of Nickel 200. The lower carbon content of Nickel 201 makes it better suited for service above approximately 315°C, especially where graphitization and carbon-related embrittlement must be avoided.
Nickel 201 maintains useful ductility, oxidation behavior and thermal conductivity at elevated temperatures. It is used in hot caustic service, thermal processing equipment, heat transfer components, electrical heating-related parts and other moderate high-temperature industrial applications.
Nickel 201 is not a high-strength nickel-based superalloy. It should not be selected for heavily loaded high-temperature components where creep strength, turbine-grade strength or long-term structural performance is the main design requirement. For high-temperature load-bearing applications, Alloy 600, Alloy 601, Alloy 625, Alloy 718, GH3128 or other nickel-based superalloys may be more appropriate.
For applications requiring commercially pure nickel, good caustic resistance and better elevated-temperature stability than Nickel 200, Nickel 201 is the preferred material choice.
Available Forms
- Plate
- Sheet
- Strip
- Foil
- Pipe
- Tube
- Round bar
- Flat bar
- Square bar
- Rod
- Wire
- Forgings
- Forged rings
- Flanges
- Fittings
- Discs
- Billets
- Blocks
- Electrodes
- Bus bars
- Battery tabs
- Machined parts
- Custom fabricated components
Applications of Nickel 201
Chemical Processing
- Caustic soda production equipment
- Sodium hydroxide evaporators
- Alkali storage tanks
- Caustic transfer piping
- Hot chemical process vessels
Caustic Alkali Industry
- High-temperature alkali handling systems
- Alkali evaporator tubes
- Caustic soda heaters
- Pumps and valves for alkaline media
- Alkali-resistant fittings and flanges
Electronics & Electrical
- Electrical leads
- Bus bars
- Electronic connectors
- Conductive nickel components
- Special electrical hardware
Battery & Energy
- Battery tabs
- Nickel strips
- Electrode components
- Fuel cell parts
- Energy storage connection components
Food & Pharmaceutical Processing
- Food processing equipment
- Pharmaceutical process components
- High-purity handling systems
- Corrosion-resistant containers
- Clean process equipment parts
Thermal & Industrial Equipment
- Heat transfer components
- Thermal processing parts
- Heat exchanger components in suitable environments
- Pump and valve parts
- Custom machined nickel components
Aerospace & Specialty Engineering
- Thermal management parts
- Conductive components
- Precision nickel sheet parts
- Specialty fabricated components
- High-purity nickel structures
Nickel 201 Vs Other Grades
Nickel 201 vs Nickel 200 vs Monel 400 vs Alloy 600
| Grade | Main Advantage | Strength | Corrosion Resistance | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel 201 / UNS N02201 | Low-carbon pure nickel with excellent caustic resistance and improved elevated-temperature stability | Moderate | Excellent in caustic alkalis and reducing environments | Hot caustic soda equipment, thermal components, electrical parts, batteries and chemical processing equipment |
| Nickel 200 / UNS N02200 | Commercially pure nickel with excellent caustic alkali resistance and high conductivity | Moderate | Excellent in caustic alkalis and reducing environments | Caustic soda equipment, electrical parts, batteries, heat exchangers and chemical processing components below approx. 315°C |
| Monel 400 / UNS N04400 | Nickel-copper alloy with strong seawater and hydrofluoric acid resistance | Higher than Nickel 201 | Excellent in seawater and selected reducing acids | Marine equipment, pumps, valves, heat exchangers and hydrofluoric acid service |
| Alloy 600 / UNS N06600 | Nickel-chromium alloy with good oxidation and high-temperature corrosion resistance | Moderate to High | Good in high-temperature oxidizing environments | Furnace parts, heat-treating equipment, chemical processing and high-temperature components |
Nickel 201 vs 304 Stainless Steel vs 316L Stainless Steel
| Item | Nickel 201 | 304 Stainless Steel | 316L Stainless Steel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material Type | Low-carbon commercially pure nickel | Austenitic stainless steel | Molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steel |
| UNS Number | N02201 | S30400 / S30403 | S31603 |
| Caustic Alkali Resistance | Excellent | Limited in severe caustic service | Limited in severe caustic service |
| High-Temperature Stability | Better than Nickel 200 and much better than standard stainless steels in hot caustic service | Good in general service but not ideal for severe hot caustic | Good in general service but not ideal for severe hot caustic |
| Electrical Conductivity | High | Low | Low |
| Thermal Conductivity | High | Lower | Lower |
| Typical Use | Hot caustic soda, electrical parts, batteries and pure nickel components | General fabrication, food equipment and mild corrosion service | Marine-related fabrication, chemical equipment and sanitary applications |
Welding & Fabrication
Nickel 201 has good weldability and can be welded using common nickel welding processes such as GTAW, GMAW and SMAW. GTAW is often preferred for precision welds, thin sections, tubing, heat exchanger parts and chemical equipment. GMAW may be used for production welding when shielding gas, filler metal and heat input are properly controlled. SMAW can be used for thicker sections and repair welding when suitable nickel electrodes are selected.
Post-weld heat treatment is generally not required for many Nickel 201 applications. However, stress relief or annealing may be considered for heavily cold-worked, heavily formed or critical components depending on fabrication history and service environment.
Nickel 201 has good formability and can be cold worked, deep drawn, spun, bent and formed into many shapes. Cold working increases strength and hardness while reducing ductility. Annealing can restore ductility after heavy forming.
Machining Nickel 201 requires attention because commercially pure nickel can be gummy and may work harden. Sharp tools, positive rake angles, rigid setups, adequate cutting fluid and controlled feeds are recommended. Welding and fabrication should avoid contamination from sulfur, lead, zinc, copper and other low-melting-point contaminants that can cause cracking or embrittlement.
Standards & Equivalent Grades
| Category | Designation / Standard |
|---|---|
| UNS | N02201 |
| Common Names | Nickel 201, Nickel Alloy 201, Low-Carbon Commercially Pure Nickel |
| EN / W.Nr. | 2.4068 / 2.4061 |
| EN Material Designation | LC-Ni 99.6 / Ni 99.2 references may apply depending on specification |
| ASTM | ASTM B160, ASTM B162, ASTM B163, ASTM B161, ASTM B725, ASTM B730, ASTM B366, ASTM B564 |
| ASME | ASME SB160, ASME SB162, ASME SB163, ASME SB161, ASME SB725, ASME SB730, ASME SB366, ASME SB564 |
| AWS Filler Metals | ERNi-1 and ENi-1 may be used depending on welding procedure and service requirement |
| ISO | Equivalent ISO references may apply depending on product form and customer specification |
| NACE | Project-specific review required for sour or special corrosion service |
| Material Family | Low-Carbon Commercially Pure Nickel |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nickel 201?
Nickel 201 is a low-carbon commercially pure wrought nickel alloy with excellent caustic alkali resistance, good corrosion resistance, high thermal conductivity, high electrical conductivity and better elevated-temperature stability than Nickel 200.
What is the UNS number of Nickel 201?
The UNS number of Nickel 201 is UNS N02201.
Is Nickel 201 commercially pure nickel?
Yes. Nickel 201 is commercially pure nickel with a controlled low carbon content.
What is Nickel 201 used for?
Nickel 201 is used for hot caustic soda equipment, alkali evaporators, chemical processing components, electrical conductors, battery parts, food processing equipment, heat transfer components, pump parts, valves, flanges and custom fabricated components.
What is the main advantage of Nickel 201?
The main advantage of Nickel 201 is its excellent caustic alkali resistance combined with low carbon content, high thermal conductivity, high electrical conductivity and improved elevated-temperature stability compared with Nickel 200.
Is Nickel 201 resistant to caustic soda?
Yes. Nickel 201 is highly resistant to caustic soda and is widely used for sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide handling equipment, especially where elevated temperatures are involved.
Is Nickel 201 suitable for high-temperature service?
Nickel 201 is preferred over Nickel 200 for service above approximately 315°C because its low carbon content reduces the risk of graphitization and embrittlement during prolonged elevated-temperature exposure.
Can Nickel 201 be welded?
Yes. Nickel 201 can be welded using GTAW, GMAW, SMAW and other suitable nickel welding processes. Proper filler selection, cleaning and procedure control are important for reliable weld quality.
Does Nickel 201 require post-weld heat treatment?
Post-weld heat treatment is generally not required for many Nickel 201 applications. Stress relief or annealing may be considered for heavily formed or critical components depending on service conditions.
What is the difference between Nickel 201 and Nickel 200?
Nickel 201 is the low-carbon version of Nickel 200. Nickel 200 is commonly used below approximately 315°C, while Nickel 201 is preferred for higher-temperature service where carbon-related embrittlement must be avoided.
Is Nickel 201 suitable for seawater?
Nickel 201 may be used in selected marine or neutral environments, but it is not normally the first choice for severe seawater or stagnant chloride service. Monel 400, Alloy 625 or super duplex stainless steels are often better options for demanding seawater applications.
What is the difference between Nickel 201 and Monel 400?
Nickel 201 is low-carbon commercially pure nickel with excellent caustic alkali resistance and high conductivity. Monel 400 is a nickel-copper alloy with higher strength and better resistance to seawater and hydrofluoric acid in many conditions.
Is Nickel 201 magnetic?
Yes. Nickel 201 is ferromagnetic at room temperature because it is commercially pure nickel.
What standards apply to Nickel 201?
Common standards include UNS N02201, ASTM B160, ASTM B162, ASTM B163, ASTM B161, ASTM B725, ASTM B730, ASTM B366, ASTM B564 and corresponding ASME SB specifications.
What forms of Nickel 201 are available?
Nickel 201 is available in plate, sheet, strip, foil, pipe, tube, round bar, flat bar, rod, wire, forgings, flanges, fittings, discs, billets, blocks, electrodes, bus bars, battery tabs and custom machined parts.
Why Choose J&A Alloy
Global Material Solutions
J&A Alloy supplies commercially pure nickel, nickel alloys, high-temperature alloys, stainless steels, precipitation-hardening stainless steels, duplex stainless steels, titanium alloys and corrosion-resistant alloys for demanding industrial applications. For Nickel 201, we support sheet, plate, strip, pipe, tube, bar, wire, forgings, flanges, fittings, billets and custom processed components according to project requirements.
Strict Quality Assurance
J&A Alloy provides strict quality control for chemical composition, mechanical properties, dimensional tolerance, surface quality and product traceability. Available inspection and documentation services include PMI, chemical analysis, mechanical testing, hardness testing, ultrasonic testing, dimensional inspection, surface inspection and EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2 certification when required.
International Standards
Materials can be supplied according to ASTM, ASME, EN, ISO, AWS and customer-specific specifications. For Nickel 201, we support common standards such as ASTM B160, ASTM B162, ASTM B163, ASTM B161, ASTM B725, ASTM B730, ASTM B366, ASTM B564 and corresponding ASME specifications depending on product form and technical requirements.
Value-added Services
J&A Alloy offers cutting, slitting, CNC machining, forming support, welding support, heat treatment coordination, turning, milling, grinding, polishing, custom fabrication and export packaging. We help customers reduce processing time, control material waste and receive ready-to-use or semi-finished nickel components for manufacturing.
Worldwide Supply
J&A Alloy serves customers in chemical processing, caustic soda production, electronics, batteries, food processing, thermal equipment, marine engineering, aerospace and industrial equipment markets. With experience in international logistics and export documentation, we support global buyers with reliable material supply and responsive technical communication.
