What are the differences between Hastelloy B3 and C276 alloys?
What are the differences between Hastelloy B3 and C276 alloys?
Due to its high molybdenum content, Hastelloy B-3 performs exceptionally well in reducing environments such as hydrochloric acid, while C-276 offers broader corrosion resistance. With its balanced nickel-chromium-molybdenum composition, it can withstand both oxidizing acids (such as ferric chloride) and reducing acids, making C-276 more suitable for general chemical applications. However, in specific acidic environments, B-3 exhibits better thermal stability and resistance to localized corrosion.
What is the maximum temperature for Hastelloy C276?
Hastelloy C-276 is a nickel-molybdenum-chromium corrosion-resistant alloy. This alloy is resistant to pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking. Hastelloy C-276 can only be hardened by cold working. The operating temperature range for Hastelloy C-276 extends from cryogenic temperatures up to 750°F (400°C).
Hastelloy B-3 is a nickel-molybdenum alloy (nickel-based superalloy) whose core characteristic is its excellent corrosion resistance in reducing acid media (especially non-oxidizing acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and phosphoric acid) and high-temperature chloride environments. It also significantly improves resistance to intergranular corrosion and thermal stability, addressing the processing brittleness issues of earlier B-2 alloys. It is designed for the most demanding corrosive conditions in chemical equipment, pharmaceutical industries, pickling equipment, and high-temperature reducing environments, making it one of the top material choices for handling strong reducing acid media.
Hastelloy C-276 is a nickel-molybdenum-chromium-tungsten superalloy. Its core advantage is its almost universal corrosion resistance, effectively resisting strong oxidizing and reducing acids, mixed acids, chlorides, wet chlorine gas, and harsh acidic salt solutions. It excels particularly in resistance to pitting corrosion, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking. It is designed for the most corrosive industrial environments, such as hydrometallurgy, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, flue gas desulfurization, waste incineration, and marine engineering, making it one of the top engineering materials with the broadest corrosion resistance range among commercially available alloys.
Chemical Composition of Hastelloy C-276 vs Hastelloy B-3
| Element | Hastelloy C-276 (UNS N10276) Content (%) | Hastelloy B-3 (UNS N10675) Content (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel | 57.0 min (Balance) | 65.0 min (Balance) |
| Molybdenum | 15.0 - 17.0 | 27.0 - 32.0 |
| Chromium | 14.5 - 16.5 | 1.0 - 3.0 |
| Iron | 4.0 - 7.0 | 1.0 - 3.0 |
| Tungsten | 3.0 - 4.5 | 1.5 max |
| Cobalt | 2.5 max | 1.0 max |
| Vanadium | 0.35 max | 0.20 max |
| Manganese | 1.0 max | 3.0 max |
| Silicon | 0.08 max | 0.10 max |
| Carbon | 0.01 max | 0.01 max |
| Phosphorus | 0.04 max | 0.030 max |
| Sulfur | 0.03 max | 0.010 max |
| Aluminum | - | 0.50 max |
| Titanium | - | 0.20 max |
| Copper | - | 1.5 max |
Mechanical Properties of Hastelloy C-276 vs Hastelloy B-3
| Property | Hastelloy C-276 (Annealed) | Hastelloy B-3 (Annealed) |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength, Ultimate | 690 MPa (100 ksi) | 845 MPa (122 ksi) |
| Tensile Strength, Yield (0.2% Offset) | 283 MPa (41 ksi) | 395 MPa (57 ksi) |
| Elongation at Break | 40% (in 50 mm) | 50% (in 50 mm) |
| Reduction of Area | 50% | 70% |
| Hardness, Rockwell B | 87 HRB | 95 HRB |
| Hardness, Brinell | 190 HB | 215 HB |
Hastelloy B3 vs C276 – Corrosion Resistance
In terms of corrosion resistance, both Hastelloy B3 and C276 perform exceptionally well. However, they each have advantages in different corrosive environments. Hastelloy B3 exhibits particularly strong corrosion resistance to reducing acids and is often used in applications involving sulfuric and hydrochloric acids. Its cobalt content also enhances its resistance to certain types of localized corrosion, such as pitting and crevice corrosion. On the other hand, Hastelloy C276's higher molybdenum and tungsten content makes it superior in resisting oxidizing acids, especially nitric acid. This alloy is typically the preferred material for applications involving oxidizing media or mixed acid environments.
Hastelloy B3 vs C276 – Fabrication and Weldability
Both Hastelloy B3 and C276 can be processed using a variety of techniques, including hot working, cold working, machining, and welding. However, their welding performance can vary depending on the specific alloy and welding conditions. Hastelloy B3 generally exhibits good weldability, with minimal sensitization and carbide precipitation during welding. This allows for the production of high-strength and corrosion-resistant welds. Hastelloy C276 also has good weldability, but may require more stringent welding procedures and post-weld heat treatment to ensure optimal corrosion resistance.
Corrosion Resistance Comparison of Hastelloy B3 and C276
Both Hastelloy B3 and C276 exhibit excellent corrosion resistance. However, they each have advantages in different corrosive environments. Hastelloy B3 has particularly strong corrosion resistance to reducing acids and is often used in applications involving sulfuric and hydrochloric acids. Its cobalt content also enhances its resistance to certain types of localized corrosion, such as pitting and crevice corrosion. On the other hand, the higher molybdenum and tungsten content of Hastelloy C276 makes it perform better in resisting oxidizing acids, especially nitric acid. This alloy is typically the ideal choice for applications involving oxidizing media or mixed acid environments.
Applications of Hastelloy C-276 vs Hastelloy B-3
| Industry / Application Area | Hastelloy C-276 Applications | Hastelloy B-3 Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Processing | Reactors, columns, heat exchangers, piping, valves, pumps in harsh acid, chloride, and oxidizing environments | Hydrochloric acid handling equipment, sulfuric acid concentrators, pickling tanks, acid recovery systems |
| Pharmaceutical | Vessels, reactors, and piping for aggressive acid-based processes | Equipment for high-concentration hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid processes, corrosion-resistant piping |
| Pollution Control & Flue Gas Desulfurization | Scrubbers, ducting, fans, dampers, stack liners in wet scrubber systems | Components in highly acidic flue gas scrubbers, especially those involving hydrochloric or sulfuric acid |
| Pulp & Paper | Digesters, bleach plants, chemical recovery boilers exposed to acidic chloride solutions | High-temperature, high-concentration acid handling in pulping and bleaching stages |
| Acid Production & Handling | Sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid production equipment; chlorine and hypochlorite environments | Concentrated hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid storage, transport, heating, and reaction equipment |
Why Choose Gnee as Your Nickel-Based Alloy Supplier
✅ Over 18 years of export experience, products sold to more than 80 countries
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About Gnee Steel
Gnee Steel is a professional manufacturer of nickel-based alloys, including Nickel 201, Nickel 202, Hastelloy C-276, Hastelloy C-22, Hastelloy B, Hastelloy C-4, Inconel 600, Inconel 625, Inconel 718, Inconel X-750, Incoloy 800, Incoloy 800H/HT, Incoloy 825, Monel 400, Monel K500, and other high-temperature alloy materials. We specialize in the production and sales of alloy materials. Gnee Steel's products are widely used in aerospace, chemical, power generation, automotive, nuclear energy, and other fields, and we can provide customized alloy material solutions according to customer needs. For inquiries about alloy material prices or customized alloy material solutions, please feel free to contact us via email at ss@gneemetal.com for a quote.
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