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Monel 400 properties

Element Content (mass %)
Nickel (Ni) Balance (min. ~63)
Copper (Cu) 28 – 34
Iron (Fe) ≤ 2.5
Manganese (Mn) ≤ 2.0
Silicon (Si) ≤ 0.5
Carbon (C) ≤ 0.3
Sulfur (S) ≤ 0.024
Property SI Value Imperial Value
Density 8.8 g/cm³ 0.318 lb/in³
Melting range 1300 – 1350 °C 2370 – 2460 °F
Electrical conductivity 34 % IACS 34 % IACS
Hardness (annealed) 65 HRB 65 HRB
Property Condition SI Value Imperial Value
Tensile strength Annealed 517 – 620 MPa 75 – 90 ksi
Yield strength (0.2 %) Annealed 172 – 345 MPa 25 – 50 ksi
Modulus of elasticity All 179 GPa 26 000 ksi
Poisson’s ratio All 0.32 0.32
Property SI Value Imperial Value
Thermal conductivity (20 °C) 21.8 W/m·K 12.6 BTU·ft/(h·ft²·°F)
Linear expansion coefficient (20–100 °C) 13.9 μm/m·°C 7.72 μin/in·°F
Specific heat 427 J/kg·K 0.102 BTU/lb·°F
Melting range 1300 – 1350 °C 2370 – 2460 °F

The conductivity, expansion and specific heat values come from general technical literature for Monel 400.

Designation / Standard Description
UNS N04400 Unified numbering system
AMS 4574 Aerospace material specification
AMS 4675 Wire or bar for rivets
AMS 4731 Seamless tube
ASTM B163 Tube for condensers and heat exchangers
ASTM B165 Seamless pipe
ASTM F96 Product specification for forging
Process Details
Hot working 648 – 1176 °C (1200 – 2150 °F)
Annealing 760 – 980 °C (1400 – 1800 °F), controlled cooling
Cold working High work hardening capacity; progressive reductions recommended
Forging Controlled procedures, uniform preheating
Machinability Difficult – work hardens rapidly during cutting; use low speeds and reduced feeds

Monel 400 readily accepts the most common processes: shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW / GMAW) and submerged arc welding (SAW). Consumables of similar composition (e.g., ERNiCu-7) are recommended, along with thorough pre-cleaning to avoid sulfur or lead contamination.

Medium / Condition Behavior of Monel 400
Seawater (static and high flow) Very resistant; noble position in galvanic series (close to Inconel 625)
Hydrofluoric acid (HF) Exceptional resistance at all concentrations up to boiling point
Sulfuric acid (reducing) Satisfactory resistance in absence of oxidizing agents
Hydrochloric acid Good resistance at moderate concentrations without aeration
Chlorides and stress cracking Virtually immune to stress cracking in presence of chlorides
Alkaline environments Excellent resistance to caustic solutions up to elevated temperatures
Industry Examples of use
Marine Propeller shafts, seawater valves, anchor cables, filter baskets, tow wire
Oil & Gas Components of alkylation units in contact with HF, process piping, heat exchangers
Aerospace Safety wiring in hot zones, skin sheets on experimental aircraft (e.g., North American X-15)
Chemical Pumps, valves and piping for hydrofluoric acid and caustic solutions
Instrumentation Magnetic field detector housings, non-magnetic anchors for minesweepers
Property Monel 400 Monel K‑500 Stainless steel 316 Hastelloy C‑276 Titanium grade 2
Tensile strength (MPa) 517–620 965–1240 515–690 690–830 345–490
Density (g/cm³) 8.8 8.5 8.0 8.9 4.5
Seawater resistance Excellent Excellent Good (risk of pitting) Excellent Excellent
HF resistance Exceptional Exceptional Limited Excellent Moderate
Relative cost High Very high Low Very high High

What is the maximum tensile strength of Monel 400 in the annealed condition?

Section titled “What is the maximum tensile strength of Monel 400 in the annealed condition?”

The tensile strength in the annealed condition can reach 620 MPa (90 ksi), allowing its use in structural components subjected to moderate loads.

Up to what temperature does Monel 400 maintain adequate mechanical properties?

Section titled “Up to what temperature does Monel 400 maintain adequate mechanical properties?”

Monel 400 retains good strength and toughness up to approximately 540 °C (1000 °F) in continuous service in oxidizing atmospheres, and at cryogenic temperatures down to –196 °C it does not exhibit a ductile-to-brittle transition.

The density of Monel 400 is 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), a value slightly higher than that of common stainless steels.

Is it possible to weld Monel 400 with conventional processes?

Section titled “Is it possible to weld Monel 400 with conventional processes?”

Yes, Monel 400 can be welded using processes such as SMAW, GTAW, GMAW and SAW with compatible filler metals (e.g., ERNiCu-7), provided the surfaces are properly cleaned.

What resistance does Monel 400 offer against hydrofluoric acid?

Section titled “What resistance does Monel 400 offer against hydrofluoric acid?”

Monel 400 resists all concentrations of hydrofluoric acid up to the boiling point, being one of the few engineering alloys that can withstand prolonged exposures to this acid under reducing conditions.

What is the modulus of elasticity of Monel 400?

Section titled “What is the modulus of elasticity of Monel 400?”

The modulus of elasticity of Monel 400 is 179 GPa (26 000 ksi), giving it an intermediate stiffness between steels and aluminum alloys.