ASME SB163 Ni200 alloy pipes for seawater desalination equipment
ASME SB163 Ni200 alloy pipes for seawater desalination equipment
ASME SB163 Ni200 (UNS N02200) alloy pipe isn't typically the best choice for desalination equipment. While Ni200 is commercially pure nickel with good corrosion resistance in a wide range of environments, it offers limited resistance to seawater attack, especially at high flow rates. Desalination applications expose the material to high-salinity brines, requiring alloys with excellent resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking.
What is the difference between Nickel 200 and Nickel 201?
Nickel 200 is a commercially pure wrought material with good mechanical properties. In contrast, Nickel 201 has a lower carbon content, resulting in better formability. Nickel 233 is also a commercially pure wrought nickel with excellent corrosion resistance, but the residual elements are strictly controlled.
Nickel Alloy 200 Tube Specification Format
| ASTM B161 Alloy 200 Tubing Standards | ASTM B161/ ASME SB161, ASME SB-161, ASME SB-163, ASME SB-730, ASME SB-751 |
|---|---|
| ASME SB-163 Alloy 200 Seamless Tube Size | 3.35 mm OD To 101.6 mm OD |
| ASME SB-730 Alloy 200 Welded Tube Size | 6.35 mm OD To 152 mm OD |
| ASME SB-751 Nickel 200 Tubing Swg & Bwg | 10 Swg., 12 Swg., 14 Swg., 16 Swg., 18 Swg., 20 Swg. |
| Werkstoff 2.4066 Annealed Tubing wall thickness | 0.020" –0.220", (special wall thicknesses available) |
| ASME SB 163 n02200 Hot Finished tubing Length | Single Random, Double Random, Standard & Cut length Tube |
| Astm B161 Uns N02200 Cold-drawn Tube Finish | Polished, AP (Annealed & Pickled), BA (Bright & Annealed), MF |
| Form | 'U' bent, Hollow, Hydraulic, LSAW, Boiler, Straight Tube, Tube Coil, Round, Rectangular, Square Etc |
| Types of Nickel NW 2200 Tubing | Seamless, ERW, EFW, Welded, Fabricated Tube / Tubing |
| Ni 200 tubing End | Plain End, Beveled End, Treaded Tube |
200 Nickel Welded Tubes Chemical Properties
| Grade | ASTM B163 Nickel 200 | |
|---|---|---|
| min | max | |
| C | – | 0.15 |
| Mn | – | 0.35 |
| Si | – | 0.1 |
| P | – | – |
| S | – | 0.01 |
| Mg | – | – |
| Ti | – | – |
| Ni | 99.0 | – |
| Cu | – | 0.25 |
| Fe | – | 0.4 |
Nickel 200 Seamless Tube Mechanical Behaviour
| Grade | ASTM B163 Nickel 200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (MPa) min | Psi – 67000 , MPa – 462 | |
| Yield Strength 0.2% Proof (MPa) min | Psi – 21500 , MPa – 148 | |
| Elongation (% in 50mm) min | 45% | |
Key Characteristics of Ni200
Composition: Ni200 is commercially pure wrought nickel with a nickel content of at least 99.0%.
General Corrosion Resistance: It offers excellent resistance to a wide range of corrosive substances, including alkaline solutions and certain acids.
Mechanical Properties: It has good mechanical strength and is easily machined.
Thermal Properties: Ni200 exhibits high thermal and electrical conductivity.
Limitations of Desalination Applications
Poor Seawater Resistance: While Ni200 exhibits general corrosion resistance, it is susceptible to attack by flowing and high-velocity seawater and is therefore not recommended for such applications.
Susceptibility to Biofouling: Compared to other alloys, it is more susceptible to biofouling (the accumulation of marine organisms), which further accelerates corrosion.
Alloy Options Better Suitable for Desalination
Several other nickel-based and non-nickel alloys are designed specifically for the extreme conditions of desalination and are more suitable than Ni200. Copper-nickel (Cu-Ni) alloys: They offer excellent resistance to general corrosion and biofouling in seawater, making them an ideal choice for seawater inlet piping and condenser tubes.
Super duplex stainless steel: It combines high strength with excellent resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking in high-salinity environments. It is commonly used in pumps and heat exchangers in reverse osmosis (RO) systems.
Titanium alloys: Known for their complete resistance to seawater corrosion, titanium alloys are a durable, long-term choice for heat exchangers and condensers in thermal desalination plants.
Nickel-based alloys (e.g., Inconel, Monel): These specialized nickel alloys are engineered to withstand the extreme temperatures and high brine concentrations encountered in the thermal desalination process. They can be used in evaporators, brine heaters, and critical piping systems.
Gnee Steel specializes in the production and sale of various nickel-based alloys, including Nickel 201, Nickel 202, Hastelloy C-276, Hastelloy C-22, Hastelloy B, Hastelloy C-4, Inconel Alloy 600, Inconel 625, Inconel 718, Inconel X-750, Incoloy Alloy 800, Incoloy 800H/HT, Incoloy 825, Monel Alloy 400, Monel K500, and high-temperature alloys. Gnee Steel's products are widely used in aerospace, chemical, electric power, automotive, and nuclear energy applications. We also offer customized alloy solutions tailored to customer needs. For alloy pricing inquiries or customized alloy solutions, please contact us for a quote at ss@gneesteel.com.
