Nickel Alloy Steel Heat Exchanger Pipes

Overview

Nickel alloy steel heat exchanger pipes are essential components in heat transfer systems, specifically designed to withstand high temperatures and corrosive environments. These pipes are crafted from nickel-based alloys, which offer excellent thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and durability. Nickel alloy steel heat exchanger pipes are widely used in industries such as chemical processing, oil and gas, petrochemical, and power generation, where efficient heat transfer and resistance to corrosion are paramount.

Salient Features

1. Thermal Conductivity: Nickel alloy steel pipes exhibit excellent thermal conductivity, enabling efficient heat transfer within the heat exchanger system. This property ensures optimal performance and energy efficiency.
2. Corrosion Resistance: Nickel-based alloys are renowned for their exceptional corrosion resistance, even in highly corrosive environments. These pipes can withstand the effects of acidic, alkaline, and chloride-containing media, making them ideal for challenging applications.
3. High Temperature Strength: Nickel alloy steel pipes retain their mechanical strength and integrity even at elevated temperatures. This characteristic is crucial in heat exchanger systems operating under extreme heat conditions.
4. Low Thermal Expansion: Nickel alloys have a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion, minimizing dimensional changes with temperature fluctuations. This property helps maintain the structural stability of the heat exchanger system.
5. Variety of Alloys: Nickel alloy steel heat exchanger pipes are available in a wide range of alloys, including Inconel, Hastelloy, Monel, Alloy 20, and more. Each alloy offers unique properties and characteristics suited to different operating conditions.
6. Longevity and Reliability: Due to their corrosion resistance and high temperature strength, nickel alloy steel pipes have a long service life and provide reliable performance. This reduces the need for frequent maintenance or replacement, resulting in cost savings for industries.

Types of Nickel Alloys

ASTM/AISI	UNS No	EN	DIN	JIS
Incoloy 800	N08800	1.4558	X2NiCrAlTi3220	NCF2B
Incoloy 800H	N08810
Incoloy 825	N08825	2.4858	NiCr21Mo	NCF825
Inconel 600	N06600	2.4816	LC-NiCr12Fe	NCF1B
Hastelloy B	N10001			N12MV
Hastelloy B2	N10665	2.4617	NiMo28
Hastelloy C
Hastelloy C276	N10276	2.4819	NiMo16Cr15W	NW 0276
Hastelloy C4	N06455	2.461
Hastelloy C22	N06022	2.4602
Inconel 625	N06625	2.4856	NiCr22Mo9Nb
Inconel 718	N07718	2.4668
Monel 400	N04400	2.436		NW 4400
Nickel 200	N02200	2.406

 

Grade Description and Applications of Nickel and Nickel Alloys

Rade	Description	Applications
High Temp. Nickel Alloys	Designed to provide unique strength and/or corrosion properties at elevated temperatures. Properties such as high strength, high creep resistance, resistance to softening, or resistance to metal loss at high temperatures from oxidation, sulfidation, or carburization are present.
Corrosion Resistant Nickel Alloy	These alloys are intended for applications in the chemical processing, petroleum refining, marine, pollution, and waste control industries where common austenitic stainless steels may not provide adequate corrosion protection.
Alloy 330	An austenitic nickel-iron-chromium alloy developed to provide excellent resistance to carburizing and oxidizing atmospheres at elevated temperatures.	Nickel-Iron-Chromium alloy offering Industrial furnaces and components, excellent resistance to oxidation and chemical processing equipment, power carburization at elevated temperatures generation and ore processing
Alloy 400	Nickel-Copper alloy with high strength and excellent corrosion resistance	Marine engineering, Chemical and hydrocarbon processing equipment, Valves, Pumps, Shafts, Fittings, Fasteners, Heat exchangers
Alloy 600	Oxidation resistance at high temperatures	Furnace components, Chemical and food processing, Nuclear engineering
Alloy 625	Nickel-Cr-Moly+Niobium to provide high strength	Chemical processing, Aerospace and marine engineering, Pollution control equipment, Nuclear reactors
Alloy 800/800H/800HT	Nickel-Iron-Chromium alloy with high creep strength	Chemical and petrochemical processing, Power plants for super-reactor and reheater tubing, Industrial furnaces, Heat treating equipment
Alloy 825	An austenitic nickel-iron-chromium alloy developed for corrosion resistance in both oxidizing and reducing environments.	Air pollution control, chemical and petrochemical, food process, nuclear, offshore oil and gas production, ore processing, petroleum refining, steel pickling and waste disposal.
Alloy C276	Nickel-Moly-Cr alloy with tungsten	Pollution control, Chemical processing, Pulp and paper production, Waste treatment

Nickel Alloy Steel Pipe Mechanical Strength

Density	Elongation	(0.2%Offset) Yield Strength	Melting Point	Tensile Strength
8.9 g/centimeter3	45 %	MPa – 148 and Psi – 21500	1446 °C (2635 °F)	MPa – 462 and Psi – 67000

Nickel Pipe Chemical Composition

ALLOY	NI	MN	FE	SI	CU	C	TI
NI 205	Min 99.6	Max 0.20	Max 0.2	Max 0.10	Max 0.10	Max 0.05	Max 0.05
NI 201	Min 99.2	Max 0.30	Max 0.2	Max 0.10	Max 0.20	Max 0.05	Max 0.10
NI 200	Min 99.2	Max 0.30	Max 0.2	Max 0.10	Max 0.20	Max 0.10	Max 0.10
NI 205 LC	Min 99.6	Max 0.20	Max 0.2	Max 0.10	Max 0.10	Max 0.02	Max 0.05

Physical Properties Of Nickel Alloy Tube

LOY	ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY , AT 20°C	THERMAL , CONDUCTIVITY	NICKEL ALLOY DENSITY	THERMAL LINEAR , EXPANSION COEFF. , (20-95 °C)
	ΜΩ-CM	W/M K	G/CM³	10-6/K
NI 205/205 LC	8.9	75.00	8.89	13.3
NI 200/201	9	70.20	8.89	13.3

Nickel Alloy Steel Pipe Mechanical Strength

Density	Elongation	(0.2%Offset) Yield Strength	Melting Point	Tensile Strength
8.9 g/centimeter3	45 %	MPa – 148 and Psi – 21500	1446 °C (2635 °F)	MPa – 462 and Psi – 67000

Equivalent Grades Of Nickel Alloy Seamless Tubes

Alloy	ASTM Specification	Material-No.	DN-Trade Name	UNS-No.	DIN Specification
Nickel 201	ASTM B160	2.4068	NR-Nickel 99	N02201	DIN 17740
Ni99.6		2.4060	BR- Nickel 99.6		DIN 17740
Nickel 200	ASTM B160	2.4066	R-Nickel 99.2	N02200	DIN 17740
LC-Ni99.6		2.4061	NR-Nickel 99.6		DIN 17740

Applications

Nickel alloy steel heat exchanger pipes find applications in various industries and processes, including:

1. Chemical Processing: These pipes are used in chemical plants for heat transfer in processes involving corrosive chemicals and high temperatures.
2. Oil and Gas: Nickel alloy steel pipes are employed in the oil and gas industry for heat exchange in refining, petrochemical processes, offshore platforms, and gas processing plants.
3. Petrochemical: Heat exchanger systems in petrochemical plants rely on nickel alloy steel pipes to handle corrosive fluids and high-temperature environments.
4. Power Generation: These pipes are used in power plants for heat transfer in boilers, condensers, and other heat exchanger applications.
5. Desalination: Nickel alloy steel pipes are utilized in desalination plants for heat transfer in the production of fresh water from seawater.

Manufacturing Range

Nickel alloy steel heat exchanger pipes are available in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and configurations to suit specific application requirements. The manufacturing range typically includes:

1. Pipe Size: Nickel alloy steel heat exchanger pipes are manufactured in various nominal pipe sizes (NPS), ranging from 1/8″ to 48″ or even larger, depending on the specific project requirements.
2. Wall Thickness: The wall thickness of these pipes can vary from standard schedules (SCH) such as SCH 5, SCH 10, SCH 40, to heavier schedules like SCH 80, SCH 160, or custom thicknesses as per the application needs.
3. Pipe Length: Nickel alloy steel pipes are available in standard lengths of 20 feet or 40 feet. Custom lengths can also be manufactured as per project specifications.

Testing & Inspection

Nickel alloy steel heat exchanger pipes undergo rigorous testing and inspection procedures to ensure their quality and performance. Common tests and inspections include:

1. Chemical Composition Analysis: This test determines the chemical composition of the alloy, ensuring it meets the required specifications.
2. Mechanical Properties Testing: Various tests, including tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation, are conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties of the pipes.
3. Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): NDT methods, such as ultrasonic testing (UT) and radiographic testing (RT), are employed to detect any internal or surface defects in the pipes.
4. Dimensional Inspection: The pipes are checked for their dimensions, including outer diameter, wall thickness, and length, to ensure compliance with the specified requirements.
5. Corrosion Resistance Testing: Nickel alloy steel pipes undergo corrosion resistance testing to evaluate their ability to withstand corrosive environments.
6. Visual Inspection: A visual inspection is carried out to detect any visible defects or imperfections in the pipes.

These tests and inspections ensure that the nickel alloy steel heat exchanger pipes meet the required quality standards and are fit for the intended application.

In conclusion, nickel alloy steel heat exchanger pipes are indispensable components in heat transfer systemsFAQ

1. What are the advantages of using nickel alloy steel heat exchanger pipes?
   Nickel alloy steel heat exchanger pipes offer excellent thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, high temperature strength, and longevity. They are versatile in terms of available alloys and are suitable for a wide range of applications.
2. Which industries commonly use nickel alloy steel heat exchanger pipes?
   Nickel alloy steel heat exchanger pipes are commonly used in industries such as chemical processing, oil and gas, petrochemical, power generation, and desalination.
3. What types of alloys are used in manufacturing nickel alloy steel heat exchanger pipes?
   Nickel alloy steel heat exchanger pipes can be manufactured from alloys such as Inconel, Hastelloy, Monel, Alloy 20, and more. Each alloy offers unique properties suitable for different operating conditions.
4. What range of sizes are available for nickel alloy steel heat exchanger pipes?
   Nickel alloy steel heat exchanger pipes are available in various nominal pipe sizes (NPS), ranging from 1/8″ to 48″ or larger, depending on the project requirements.
5. What testing and inspection procedures are performed on nickel alloy steel heat exchanger pipes?
   Nickel alloy steel heat exchanger pipes undergo tests such as chemical composition analysis, mechanical properties testing, non-destructive testing (NDT), dimensional inspection, corrosion resistance testing, and visual inspection to ensure quality and performance.

Remember, for any specific questions regarding your project or requirements, it is always recommended to consult with a professional in the field.