ASTM B160
ASTM B160 Basic Info
ASTM B160 defines the specifications for nickel rod and bar materials, providing guidelines for their chemical composition, mechanical properties, and dimensional tolerances. This standard encompasses various grades of nickel and nickel alloys, including commercially pure nickel (Grade UNS N02200) and nickel-copper alloys (Grade UNS N04400 and N04405). Industries such as chemical processing, electronics, and marine engineering rely on ASTM B160 to ensure the quality and compatibility of these materials in their applications.
Characteristics of ASTM B160
- High Corrosion Resistance: ASTM B160 specifies nickel rods and bars, including alloys like UNS N02200 and UNS N02201, known for their exceptional resistance to corrosion in various environments.
- Excellent High-Temperature Properties: These materials exhibit excellent performance at elevated temperatures, making them suitable for applications in high-heat environments such as chemical processing and power generation.
- Diverse Sizes and Shapes: The standard covers a range of sizes and shapes for nickel rods and bars, allowing for versatility in applications and ease of use in different industries.
- Conforms to Quality Standards: ASTM B160 sets out requirements for chemical composition, mechanical properties, dimensions, and tolerances, ensuring that the materials meet strict quality standards.
- Wide Range of Applications: Nickel alloys specified in ASTM B160 are used in various industries such as aerospace, marine, chemical processing, and electronics due to their durability, corrosion resistance, and high-temperature properties.
ASTM B160 Data Sheet
Steel Grade
Dimensions and Tol.
Equivalent Steel Grades
Chemical Composition
Mechanical Properties
Fabrication and Welding
Steel Grade
UNS N02200:
Commercially Pure Nickel
UNS N02201:
Low Carbon Nickel
Dimensions and Tol.
Round:
- Width/Thickness Range: 0.125″ to 4″ (3.18 mm to 101.6 mm) diameter
- Tolerances: Diameter: ±0.003″ (±0.076 mm)
Square:
- Width/Thickness Range: 0.1875″ to 2″ (4.76 mm to 50.8 mm) width
- Tolerances: Width: ±0.005″ (±0.127 mm)
Hexagonal:
- Width/Thickness Range: 0.250″ to 2″ (6.35 mm to 50.8 mm) across flats
- Tolerances:Across Flats: ±0.004″ (±0.102 mm)
Rectangular:
- Width/Thickness Range: 0.500″ to 4″ (12.7 mm to 101.6 mm) width, 0.250″ to 2″ (6.35 mm to 50.8 mm) thickness
- Tolerances:Width/Thickness: ±0.010″ (±0.254 mm)
Equivalent Steel Grades
UNS N02200:
Germany: DIN 2.4060
United Kingdom: BS 3072-3076
European Union: EN 2.4066
Japan: JIS NW2200
UNS N02201:
Germany: DIN 2.4061
United Kingdom: BS 3072-3076
European Union: EN 2.4068
Japan: JIS NW2201
Chemical Composition
UNS N02200 (Composition in % by weight):
Carbon: 0.15 max
Manganese: 0.35 max
Silicon: 0.35 max
Sulfur: 0.01 max
Iron: 0.40 max
Nickel: 99.0 min
UNS N02201 (Composition in % by weight):
Carbon: 0.02 max
Manganese: 0.35 max
Silicon: 0.35 max
Sulfur: 0.01 max
Iron: 0.40 max
Nickel: 99.0 min
Copper: 0.25 max
Mechanical Properties
UNS N02200:
Tensile Strength: 55 ksi (380 MPa) min
Yield Strength: 21 ksi (145 MPa) min
Elongation: 35% min
Hardness (Brinell): 95 max
Hardness (Rockwell B): 75 max
Modulus of Elasticity: 28.6 x 10^6 psi (197 GPa)
Poisson’s Ratio: 0.31
UNS N02201:
Tensile Strength: 55 ksi (380 MPa) min
Yield Strength: 21 ksi (145 MPa) min
Elongation: 35% min
Hardness (Brinell): 100 max
Hardness (Rockwell B): 80 max
Modulus of Elasticity: 28.6 x 10^6 psi (197 GPa)
Poisson’s Ratio: 0.31
Fabrication and Welding
Hot Working:
Best performed in a temperature range of 1600-2250°F (870-1230°C)
Reduce temperature below 1200°F (650°C) before hot working
Use sufficient pressure to avoid cooling below 1200°F (650°C)
Post-work annealing at 1200-1600°F (650-870°C) recommended to restore properties
Cold Working:
Can be cold worked using standard techniques like rolling, drawing, or shearing
Cold worked materials may require intermediate annealing to avoid cracking
Annealing:
Annealing temperature: 1200-1600°F (650-870°C), hold for sufficient time to ensure homogeneity and softening
Machinability:
Alloy N02200: Rated at 20% compared to free-cutting carbon steel, slower speeds and heavy feeds are recommended
Alloy N02201: Rated at 45% compared to free-cutting carbon steel, moderate speeds and feeds are recommended
Welding:
Use filler metal with good ductility and high nickel content, such as N02200 or N02201
Preheat and post-weld annealing may be necessary to avoid cracking, particularly for N02201
Recommended welding processes: GTAW (TIG), GMAW (MIG), SMAW (Stick), SAW (Submerged Arc)
Heat Treatment:
Not generally required for these alloys, but annealing or stress relieving may be necessary after cold working
Annealing temperature: 1200-1600°F (650-870°C)
Stress relieving: 1200-1400°F (650-760°C), hold for 1-4 hours depending on thickness
Key Standards and Certifications Associated with ASTM B160
Standards:
ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials):
ASTM B160: Standard Specification for Nickel Rod and Bar
This is the main standard that defines the requirements for nickel rod and bar materials, including chemical composition, mechanical properties, dimensions, and tolerances.
Certifications:
ISO Certification:
Many manufacturers of materials conforming to ASTM B160 standards may hold ISO 9001 certification.
ISO 9001 ensures that the manufacturer has a quality management system in place to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.
ASME Certification:
Materials conforming to ASTM B160 may also be used in ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) construction, which often requires compliance with ASTM standards.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) uses ASTM standards, including ASTM B160, for materials selection.
NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156:
This standard specifies the requirements for the selection and qualification of carbon and low-alloy steels, including nickel alloys, for service in environments containing hydrogen sulfide.
Nickel alloys conforming to ASTM B160 may meet the requirements of NACE MR0175 for sour service environments.
PED (Pressure Equipment Directive):
Materials conforming to ASTM B160 may also be certified under the European PED, which sets the standards for the design and fabrication of pressure equipment.
Compliance with PED ensures that the materials meet safety and performance requirements for use in pressure equipment within the European Union.
Material Test Reports (MTRs):
Manufacturers typically provide Material Test Reports (MTRs) with materials conforming to ASTM B160.
MTRs document the chemical composition, mechanical properties, and other relevant information about the material, providing assurance of quality and compliance with ASTM standards.
Quality Assurance:
Third-Party Inspection:
Materials conforming to ASTM B160 may undergo third-party inspection to ensure compliance with the standard.
Independent inspection agencies may conduct tests and audits to verify that the materials meet the specified requirements.
Traceability:
Manufacturers ensure traceability of materials back to their sources, providing a record of where the materials were sourced and how they were produced.
This traceability is important for quality control and ensuring that materials meet the required standards.
