Nickel 200 / Nickel 201 Round Bar & Rod | ASME SB-160 UNS N02200 N02201

Why pure nickel still earns its place

Commercially pure nickel has been in ASME Section II since 1948, and it remains the correct answer to a specific set of problems: caustic service, dry chlorine and hydrogen chloride at elevated temperature, hot concentrated alkalis, and the electrolytic and food-processing duties where no trace of iron or carbon is tolerable. ASME SB-160 covers UNS N02200 (Nickel 200), UNS N02201 (low carbon Nickel 201) and UNS N02211 (solution strengthened nickel) in the form of hot-worked and cold-worked rod and bar.

The distinction that matters in procurement is carbon. Nickel 200 carries a maximum of 0.15% carbon; Nickel 201 drops that to 0.02%. In caustic service the low-carbon grade is preferred because carbon assists intergranular attack in hot concentrated alkali. If your service is caustic, specify Nickel 201. If the application is dry chlorine or hydrogen chloride, Nickel 200 is normally the correct choice.

Nickel 200 versus Nickel 201 versus Nickel 211

Nickel 211 is a different alloy rather than a lower-carbon version. Its manganese content sits in the 4.25 to 5.25% range, which is what raises its strength and its resistance to sulphur-bearing environments. It is used where plain Nickel 200 or 201 would not hold up. Where you are not sure, tell us the service and we will make a recommendation rather than simply filling an order.

Product forms and size range

We supply SB-160 material as hot-worked round bar, cold-drawn round bar, centerless ground bar and cold-worked wire. Round bar is available from 6 mm (1/4 in) to 200 mm (8 in) diameter, with wire drawn to the diameters used in welding and brazing. Bar can be supplied in random or fixed lengths, and we can cut to length or provide blanks for machined components. For applications that need a different form, SB-160 round bar also serves as the starting stock for turned flanges, spacers and bushings, and we are happy to supply the machining tolerance you specify.

Note for engineers working in caustic: pure nickel round bar is frequently used for the weld overlay of caustic-handling vessels, and the same SB-160 certification is quoted for that overlay procedure. If that is your application, tell us so, because the surface condition requirement on the bar differs from a general structural supply.

Certification and inspection

Each order is supplied with an EN 10204 3.1 material test report showing the heat number, the SB-160 Table 2 chemical analysis and the applicable mechanical properties. On request we add ultrasonic testing, eddy current testing, and macro or micro examination of the microstructure. Diameter and straightness are certified against the SB-160 Tables 3 to 7 dimensional tolerance requirements, which we quote on the packing list. Third-party inspection and PED 2014/68/EU or UKCA certification of conformity can be arranged for European and UK destinations.

Ordering information

Please specify the grade (Nickel 200, Nickel 201 or Nickel 211), the product form (hot-worked bar, cold-drawn bar, centerless ground bar or wire), the diameter, the length, the surface condition and the quantity. Add the delivery date and the destination port. If the round bar is destined for a caustic or chlorine service, include the concentration and temperature so we can confirm the grade and the anneal condition are appropriate. Send drawings or cut-list quantities if you have them and we will quote against them with the mill test certificate package clearly stated. We will tell you where a different grade or a tighter tolerance would serve you better, and where the specification you sent is already the right one we will simply confirm it.

Related specifications and products. The same Nickel 200 and Nickel 201 grades are supplied as seamless pipe and tube. See nickel alloy round bar products Nickel 200 and 201 seamless pipe hot rolled nickel alloy bar for the dimensional and material basis behind this page.