Nickel 200 vs Nickel 201 – Which One Is Right for Your High-Temperature Application?

Nickel 200 and Nickel 201 are commercially pure nickel grades containing at least 99% nickel. The remaining 1% or less consists of trace amounts of iron, silver, manganese, copper, carbon, and sulfur.

The key difference between the two lies in carbon content:

• Nickel 200 – Maximum 0.15% carbon

• Nickel 201 – Maximum 0.02% carbon

This small variation in carbon leads to distinct performance characteristics, especially at elevated temperatures.

Critical Difference: High-Temperature Performance

The carbon content becomes critically important when materials are exposed to high temperatures — this is the single most important factor in selecting between Nickel 200 and Nickel 201.

The Embrittlement Problem

When exposed to temperatures above 315°C (600°F) , Nickel 200 can undergo graphitization — a process where carbon precipitates at grain boundaries, forming brittle graphite networks. This leads to intergranular embrittlement and potential material failure under stress.

Nickel 201, with its much lower carbon content (≤0.02%), resists graphitization and maintains mechanical integrity at higher temperatures.

Temperature Guidelines