Nickel

APPLICATIONS & WELDING

Nickel and its alloys have excellent corrosion resistance combined to good mechanical properties which are as good for high (200-1100°C/ 400-2000°F) and low temperatures (-196°C, even more). Nickel alloys can be split into two groups: solid-solution-strengthened alloys and precipitation-hardening alloys. Weldability will be better for the first category in comparison to precipitation-hardening alloys.

The particular features of nickel and its alloys must be taken into consideration when welding:

• low thermal and electrical conductivity of the material;
• Fluidity of the weld pool, lack of fusion and the penetration of the joints;
• porosity and oxide inclusion;
• Susceptibility to hot cracking (center of the joint, crater, etc.) due to possible oxides and surface contaminants