TD-Nickel REX
Heat-treated state
UNS N02120 · also TD Nickel
REX = high-temperature recrystallized (coarse elongated grain) condition
Pick when maximum creep-rupture life above 1100 °C matters more than room-temperature strength; the coarse elongated grain structure minimises grain-boundary sliding.
Values for the REX condition
Other TD-Nickel grades and fills
TD-Nickel is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at TD-Nickel.
- REX
- TD-NICR
Compare all 2 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
REXThis page High-temperature recrystallized (coarse elongated grain) condition | Pick when maximum creep-rupture life above 1100 °C matters more than room-temperature strength; the coarse elongated grain structure minimises grain-boundary sliding. | 270 | 400 | 22 | — |
Ni-20Cr-2ThO₂ chromium-bearing version | Choose when bare-surface oxidation resistance is required above 1000 °C without a coating; higher strength but lower thermal conductivity than TD-Ni. | 560 | 700 | 14 | — |
What is TD-Nickel REX?
TD-Nickel REX is TD-Nickel heat treated to REX — pick when maximum creep-rupture life above 1100 °C matters more than room-temperature strength; the coarse elongated grain structure minimises grain-boundary sliding. TD-Nickel REX has a yield strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 58% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi). TD-Nickel REX has a density of 8.9 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of composite grades.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 22%, better than 98% of composite grades
- High service temperature — 1,250°C (2,282 °F), better than 96% of composite grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 100/100, better than 93% of composite grades
- Conducts heat well — 67 W/m·K (38.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of composite grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 55/100, better than 83% of composite grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 8.9 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), worse than 98% of composite grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 87% of composite grades
TD-Nickel REX properties
Typical room-temperature values for TD-Nickel REX; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are TD-Nickel reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical1
TD-Nickel REX has a density of 8.9 g/cm³ (0.322 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of composite grades.
Mechanical8
TD-Nickel REX has a yield strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 58% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
TD-Nickel REX is rated for continuous service to 1,250°C (2,282 °F). It conducts heat at 67 W/m·K (38.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 13.3 µm/m·K (7.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
TD-Nickel REX has an electrical resistivity of 9.3×10⁻⁸ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 87% of composite grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of TD-Nickel REX takes about 230 MJ of energy and emits 17 kg of CO₂ — more than 52% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability2
TD-Nickel REX's machinability is poor (28/100, worse than 57% of composite grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with TD-Nickel REX
Is TD-Nickel easy to machine?
Machines like tough pure nickel but the ThO₂ abrades tooling — use rigid setups, carbide/ceramic tools, low speed and heavy feed; capture swarf as radioactive-controlled waste.
Can TD-Nickel be welded?
Fusion welding destroys the dispersion and the high-temperature strength at the joint; use solid-state joining (diffusion bonding, brazing, resistance spot) or mechanical fasteners.
Can TD-Nickel be formed, bent or molded?
Made by powder metallurgy (blend/mill, extrude or roll to high strain); sheet is cold formable to moderate radii but strongly anisotropic and prone to splitting across the working direction.
What surface finishes work on TD-Nickel?
Normally left bare for lab use or coated with aluminide/Cr-rich diffusion coatings for oxidising service; can be electropolished, but plating is uncommon.
TD-Nickel chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| ThO2fine dispersoid, ~2 vol%, particle size 20–50 nm | 1.8 – 2.2 | 2 |
| C | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Feresidual from powder processing | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Oexcluding oxygen bound in ThO₂ | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Nicommercially pure nickel matrix | balance | — |
TD-Nickel REX — frequently asked
What is TD-Nickel REX used for?
TD-Nickel REX is typically used for jet-engine hot-section parts (legacy), high-temperature furnace hardware, rocket combustion and nozzle components (legacy), test fixtures for creep and oxidation rigs, heat-shield and radiant panel structures and thermal-processing tooling. In short: first-generation ODS nickel; legacy 1100 °C sheet material; superseded by MA754.
What is the yield strength of TD-Nickel REX?
TD-Nickel REX has a typical yield strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 58% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is TD-Nickel REX easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, worse than 57% of composite grades). Machines like tough pure nickel but the ThO₂ abrades tooling — use rigid setups, carbide/ceramic tools, low speed and heavy feed; capture swarf as radioactive-controlled waste.
Can TD-Nickel REX be welded?
Fusion welding destroys the dispersion and the high-temperature strength at the joint; use solid-state joining (diffusion bonding, brazing, resistance spot) or mechanical fasteners.
What surface finishes work on TD-Nickel REX?
Normally left bare for lab use or coated with aluminide/Cr-rich diffusion coatings for oxidising service; can be electropolished, but plating is uncommon.
Can TD-Nickel REX be formed, bent or molded?
Made by powder metallurgy (blend/mill, extrude or roll to high strain); sheet is cold formable to moderate radii but strongly anisotropic and prone to splitting across the working direction.
What is the maximum service temperature of TD-Nickel REX?
TD-Nickel REX is rated for continuous use to about 1,250°C (2,282 °F), and briefly to 1,370°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 21 — Composites (metal-matrix / dispersion-strengthened section) — ASM International (2001)
- NASA technical reports on TD-Ni and TD-NiCr sheet for high-temperature structures — NASA Lewis/Langley (1972)
- DuPont TD-Nickel / TD-NiCr product literature (historical) — E. I. du Pont de Nemours (1968)
- UNS N02120 designation listing — SAE/ASTM Unified Numbering System (2019)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.