Nickel alloy tubing is a type of metal with certain properties that make it applicable to different things. Some, for example, are extremely strong and durable while others might be soft but malleable. Nickel alloy tubing falls into the latter category. Although its name includes nickel, this specific alloy does not actually include any nickel. It’s only about one-third nickel, with the remainder being made up of other types of metal, mostly copper.
How nickel alloy tubing is made
Nickel alloy tubing is made by first heating the materials to extremely high temperatures, which causes them to melt together. The melted material is then transferred through a small hole in a mold, where it becomes trapped under pressure. This process creates tubes with very uniform interior wall dimensions and little variance in the thickness of the walls.
Applications of nickel alloy tubing
It is abundant in use and the uses only serve to make it more popular. The list of potential applications for this metal is extensive and is still growing. As new industries become interested in using alloys like nickel alloy tubing they broaden the pool of possibilities even further. Here are some applications of nickel alloy tubing depending on its properties.
Withstands pressure
With this alloy, the copper serves as a way to change the hardness of the metal without making it brittle. This tubing is often used in industrial or commercial locations that need something that is tough and can withstand high amounts of pressure but won’t break under stress. It has been known to be useful for things such as bicycle frames and even luxury vehicles. You have to understand the Nickel alloy 400 tubing price and size to select the best for your requirement.
Versatility
Although it’s commonly used in industrial and commercial applications, nickel alloy tubing is so versatile that it can be found in many different places. It might be behind the dash or under the hood of your vehicle. It could even be found running through the walls of your home to connect appliances under your kitchen sink or bathroom fixtures.
Corrosion resistance
Nickel alloy tubing is available in four grades depending on the amount of nickel, chromium, manganese, silicon, carbon, phosphorus, and sulfur in the alloy, which is expressed either in percent or weight percentages. The general property of all grades is that they have high corrosion resistance. Corrosion resistance is one of the main reasons for nickel tubing being so widely used in many different applications.
Tubing used in chemical plants is commonly made out of nickel alloy because of its excellent corrosion resistance against the materials present in these structures. For example, the Hastelloy C-22 alloy can be exposed to very corrosive chemicals at high temperatures without suffering damage.
Oxidation resistance
This metal tubing is commonly used because it offers high strength and toughness, as well as excellent resistance to corrosion and oxidation. It can be formed into several different shapes and sizes and even has an internal surface that prevents the buildup of electrical charge. Nickel alloy tubing is also easy to machine, which makes it popular in many industries.
Thermal properties
Since the middle of the 20th century, nickel alloy tubing has been used in applications requiring high heat transfer. It allowed for a new generation of power plants that use the latent heat of steam and water to produce electricity. As well as allowing for lower-cost energy transmission over long distances, this process reduced maintenance and environmental concerns by preventing thermal expansion and contraction.
It can be used for heat exchangers in mining machinery when the temperature range is low enough to allow the use of standard nickel alloys. Nickel alloy tubing with high thermal conductivity is sometimes welded along the lengths of drill rods inside metal casings, to prevent them from sticking together and to protect them from abrasion.
Vibration dampening characteristics
Microwave equipment, engine test cells, and other similar enclosures often feature soundproofing made out of nickel alloy tubing. The tubes are arranged to form a membrane that allows the airflow to pass but prevents sounds from moving through. The heat transfer properties of the material can be used for this purpose as well.
Conveying liquids and gasses.
Since the middle of the 20th century, nickel alloy tubing has been used in applications requiring high heat transfer. It was able to withstand much higher temperatures than copper, another common heat transfer material.
This method of heat transfer can also be used in modern applications such as transporting petroleum products. The nickel tubes allow the fluids to pass through, but not large air bubbles which would lower the pressure and cause an explosion.
How a reliable supplier of nickel alloy tubing can help
Suppliers of nickel alloy tubing can offer some helpful tips to streamline the process of choosing the right type for your intended use. For example, you might need to know if any specific standards are governing the material’s properties; suppliers should also be able to provide samples so that you can test them yourself. You can also get advice about whether the tubing needs to be welded to meet your particular specifications.
Concluding, nickel alloy tubing is used in many applications that need tubing material that can resist corrosion and have high dimensional stability. This type of alloy also offers the ability to withstand abrasion because it’s strong enough.
