Where the need for chloride resistance and mechanical stability is essential, nickel-copper alloys are still the materials of choice. Such conditions can be met in chemical processing and marine fabrication industries. Monel 400 Plate is one of the main products in this area that is being referred to in the US for pressure vessels, heat exchanger tube sheets, and structural liners. The typical requirements for the US projects are ASTM B127 compliance, annealed or hot-rolled conditions, and thickness ranging from 3 mm to 50 mm. Besides, the nickel and copper of the alloy support a tensile strength of about 480 MPa and allow the material to be used at temperatures as low as subzero and as high as 500°C. The alloy also exhibits a very strong resistance to hydrofluoric and sulfuric acids, which makes it different from precipitation-hardened nickel grades.
Procurement calls on plate flatness, dimensional tolerances, and surface finish as the primary factors. Moreover, many fabricators stipulate ultrasonic testing, PMI verification, and ASME Section II traceability in their purchase orders. Weld procedure records and joint design play a role in deciding how cut-to-size plates, forged slabs, and normalized forms are to be inspected. At the same time, corrosion engineers in tandem projects compare nickel alloys with austenitic stainless steels in mildly reducing environments. They focus on the total cost of the lifecycle rather than just the initial price in refineries, desalination units, and offshore platforms.
In process piping and hygienic transfer systems, the main focus is on the internal roughness and cleanliness of the surface rather than the bulk corrosion resistance. SS 304 electropolished pipe is, therefore, the most common choice in those industries such as pharmaceutical lines, food handling skids, and semiconductor utilities. Besides, the installations across Germany have additional requirements such as ASTM A270 or A554 specifications, OD sizes ranging from 6 mm to 219 mm, and surface roughness values of less than 0.4 µm Ra. Electropolishing facilitates chromium enrichment, reduces biofilm adhesion, and thus ensures that the flow characteristics are maintained continuously, which in turn brings stainless steel piping in line with the regulatory standards.
Procurement calls on plate flatness, dimensional tolerances, and surface finish as the primary factors. Moreover, many fabricators stipulate ultrasonic testing, PMI verification, and ASME Section II traceability in their purchase orders. Weld procedure records and joint design play a role in deciding how cut-to-size plates, forged slabs, and normalized forms are to be inspected. At the same time, corrosion engineers in tandem projects compare nickel alloys with austenitic stainless steels in mildly reducing environments. They focus on the total cost of the lifecycle rather than just the initial price in refineries, desalination units, and offshore platforms.
In process piping and hygienic transfer systems, the main focus is on the internal roughness and cleanliness of the surface rather than the bulk corrosion resistance. SS 304 electropolished pipe is, therefore, the most common choice in those industries such as pharmaceutical lines, food handling skids, and semiconductor utilities. Besides, the installations across Germany have additional requirements such as ASTM A270 or A554 specifications, OD sizes ranging from 6 mm to 219 mm, and surface roughness values of less than 0.4 µm Ra. Electropolishing facilitates chromium enrichment, reduces biofilm adhesion, and thus ensures that the flow characteristics are maintained continuously, which in turn brings stainless steel piping in line with the regulatory standards.