201 Nickel - AMS 5533 - UNS N02200 and UNS N0201
Nickel Alloy 201 (UNS N02201) is a high‑purity, commercially pure nickel alloy containing at least 99.5% nickel and engineered for excellent performance in corrosive and high‑temperature environments. Its extremely low carbon content (0.02% max) prevents embrittlement at elevated temperatures, making it suitable for service above 600°F (316°C) where Alloy 200 is not recommended. With outstanding ductility, toughness, and corrosion resistance in reducing, neutral, and mildly oxidizing environments, Nickel 201 is widely used in chemical processing, aerospace, marine systems, electrical components, caustic production, and high‑purity equipment. Its exceptional thermal and electrical conductivity further enhances its usefulness in demanding industrial applications.
- Inventory & Specs
- Chemical Composition
- Physical Properties
- Mechanical Properties
- Datasheet
- Additional Info
- FAQs
Inventory Size Ranges for 201
| Type | Thickness | AMS Standards | ASTM | UNS | ASME | Get a Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Reroll Strip | 0.0008" - 0.015" | AMS 5553 | ASTM B162 | UNS N02200, UNS N02201 | ASME SB162 | Get a Quote |
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Characteristics of 201
Nickel Alloy 201 demonstrates ferromagnetic behavior, distinguishing it from many nickel‑base alloys and stainless steels. It offers excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, outperforming other engineering metals like stainless steel and low‑alloy steels. The alloy provides strong resistance to reducing chemicals, neutral media, and chloride stress‑corrosion cracking, while the low carbon content prevents graphitization and embrittlement at elevated temperatures—supporting use up to 1250°F (677°C) for pressure‑retaining components per ASME guidelines. Nickel 201 maintains good mechanical strength and ductility across a wide temperature range and offers excellent resistance in caustic environments and many acids when conditions allow passive film formation.
Working with 201
Nickel Alloy 201 is readily fabricated using standard hot‑ and cold‑working techniques. Hot‑working temperatures typically range from 1200°F to 2250°F, with heavy forming most effective above 1600°F. The alloy cold‑forms easily due to its high ductility, and annealing between 1300°F and 1600°F restores softness and corrosion resistance when needed. Nickel 201 can be welded using conventional processes (GTAW, GMAW, shielded metal arc), though care should be taken to minimize heat input to avoid grain growth. Its high thermal and electrical conductivity also make machining more demanding—requiring sharp tooling, rigid setups, and controlled speeds to manage heat buildup and maintain surface integrity.
Other industry standards we comply with:
Common Trade Names
- ATI 201™ (Allegheny Technologies)
Industry Applications for 201
- Battery components
- Heat exchangers
- Lead wires
- Electrodes
- Welding applications
- Food processing
Chemical Composition
| Element | Min | Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ni | Nickel | 99.0 | - |
| Fe | Iron | - | 0.40 |
| Mn | Manganese | - | 0.35 |
| Cu | Copper | - | 0.25 |
| Si | Silicon | - | 0.25 |
| Mg | Magnesium | - | 0.15 |
| Ti | Titanium | - | 0.10 |
| C | Carbon | - | 0.02 |
| S | Sulfur | - | 0.005 |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Melting Temperature Range | 1450–1445°C |
| Density | 8900 kg · m-3 |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 196 GPa |
| Specific Heat | 440 J · kg-1 · K-1 |
| Thermal Conductivity | 76 W · m-1 · K-1 |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 14.5 x 10-6 K-1 |
| Specific Electrical Resistivity | 0.085 Ω · mm² · m-1 |
Mechanical Properties
| Semi-Finished Product Form | Sheet ≤ 50 mm thickness Bar ≤ 250 mm ∅ Forging ≤ 150 mm ∅ thickness |
|---|---|
| Rp 0.2 min [MPa] | 80 |
| Rp 1.0 min [MPa] | 105 |
| Rm [MPa] | 340-540 |
| A min [%] | 40 |
Additional Info
A Brief History of 201 Nickel
Nickel 201—is a commercially pure nickel alloy developed to deliver exceptional corrosion resistance and thermal stability in demanding environments. As the low‑carbon version of Nickel 200, Nickel 201 was engineered to retain all the advantages of pure nickel while eliminating the risk of intergranular embrittlement at elevated temperatures. Its high nickel content (≥99%) makes it especially valuable in chemical processing, electronics, aerospace, and high‑temperature industrial applications.
How 201 Nickel Was Developed
Nickel 201 was created to address a limitation found in standard commercially pure nickel alloys. While Nickel 200 performs well in many corrosive environments, its higher carbon content can lead to graphite precipitation and embrittlement when exposed to temperatures above approximately 600°F (315°C). To overcome this, metallurgists significantly reduced the carbon content, producing Nickel 201—a material capable of maintaining ductility, toughness, and mechanical integrity at temperatures up to 2300°F (1260°C).
This low‑carbon composition allows Nickel 201 to be used safely in high‑temperature chemical processing and heat‑treating environments where purity, stability, and corrosion resistance are critical.
Early Applications of 201 Nickel
As industries expanded their use of high‑temperature processing and aggressive chemical environments, Nickel 201 quickly became a trusted material. Its outstanding resistance to caustic alkalies, organic acids, and neutral salts made it essential in chemical manufacturing, while its predictable electrical and thermal conductivity supported early electronics and electrical applications. Nickel 201 was also widely adopted in food processing and pharmaceutical equipment, where cleanliness and material purity are paramount.
How 201 Nickel Is Used Today
Nickel 201 continues to play a vital role in high‑purity, high‑temperature, and corrosion‑resistant applications. Its non‑magnetic nature, excellent thermal conductivity, and resistance to reducing and neutral environments make it an ideal choice for:
- Chemical processing: evaporators, heat exchangers, reaction vessels, piping systems
- Aerospace & defense: components requiring thermal stability and material purity
- Electronics: lead wires, connectors, and conductive components
- Food & pharmaceutical processing: equipment requiring corrosion resistance and cleanliness
- Heat treatment: furnace parts, boats, and fixtures used at elevated temperatures
Nickel 201 performs reliably from cryogenic temperatures up to approximately 2300°F, maintaining strength and ductility where many stainless steels and other alloys degrade. This wide operating window makes it especially valuable in applications where contamination, corrosion, or thermal instability cannot be tolerated.
Your Trusted Supplier for 201 Nickel
United Performance Metals is a global specialty metals solutions provider offering Nickel 201 in precision rerolled strip. Backed by advanced FIRSTCUT+® processing services and deep experience supporting chemical processing, electronics, aerospace, and high‑temperature manufacturing customers, UPM delivers Nickel 201 products engineered to your exact specifications.
Contact our team today to learn how Nickel 201 can support your next high‑performance application.
Product FAQs
The primary difference is carbon content.
- Nickel 200 contains higher carbon and is limited to temperatures below approximately 600°F (315°C)
- Nickel 201 has significantly lower carbon, preventing graphite precipitation and allowing use at temperatures up to 2300°F (1260°C)
Nickel 201 is the preferred choice for high‑temperature service.
Nickel 201 is widely used in industries that require corrosion resistance, purity, and thermal stability, including:
- Chemical processing
- Aerospace and defense
- Electronics and electrical systems
- Food and pharmaceutical processing
- Heat treatment and furnace manufacturing