Nickel Alloy Alloy 120-AW (As-welded deposit)
Heat-treated state
UNS N08120 · EN 2.4854
Use when assessing field-welded furnace tube joints; matching-filler GTAW weldments give 390 MPa yield across the joint and normally require no post-weld heat treatment.
Values for the AW condition
Other Alloy 120 tempers and conditions
Alloy 120 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at Alloy 120.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot Rolled + Annealed | Choose for heavy plate, forgings and bar: the coarser grain from hot rolling plus anneal gives slightly lower strength (310 MPa yield) but better high-temperature creep performance. | 310 | 720 | 47 | 158 HB | 1.5 % IACS |
ANNDefault Annealed | Standard supply state, solution annealed at about 1175-1230 °C and rapidly cooled; pick for most high-temperature furnace tubing, sheet forming and welded assemblies up to 1149 °C. | 331 | 758 | 50 | 165 HB | — |
AWThis page As-welded deposit | Use when assessing field-welded furnace tube joints; matching-filler GTAW weldments give 390 MPa yield across the joint and normally require no post-weld heat treatment. | 390 | 730 | 35 | 180 HB | 1.5 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Pick for fasteners, instrument tubing and machined parts needing 620 MPa yield, tight tolerance and better surface; recrystallization anneal before service above 650 °C. | 620 | 900 | 20 | 24 HRC | 1.5 % IACS |
What is Alloy 120-AW?
Alloy 120-AW is Alloy 120 heat treated to AW — use when assessing field-welded furnace tube joints; matching-filler GTAW weldments give 390 MPa yield across the joint and normally require no post-weld heat treatment. Alloy 120-AW has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 730 MPa (106 ksi) — stronger than 51% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi). Alloy 120-AW has a density of 8.06 g/cm³ (0.291 lb/in³), lighter than 82% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,315°C (2,399 °F). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; AW is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 91% of nickel alloy grades
- High service temperature — 1,100°C (2,012 °F), better than 88% of nickel alloy grades
Alloy 120-AW properties
Typical room-temperature values for Alloy 120-AW; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Alloy 120 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among nickel alloy grades.
Physical3
Alloy 120-AW has a density of 8.06 g/cm³ (0.291 lb/in³), lighter than 82% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,315°C (2,399 °F).
Mechanical13
Alloy 120-AW has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 730 MPa (106 ksi) — stronger than 51% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).
Thermal5
Alloy 120-AW is rated for continuous service to 1,100°C (2,012 °F). It conducts heat at 10.9 W/m·K (6.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 64% of nickel alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 13.6 µm/m·K (7.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Alloy 120-AW conducts electricity at 1.5 % IACS, better than 59% of nickel alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 77% of nickel alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Alloy 120-AW takes about 130 MJ of energy and emits 9 kg of CO₂ — less than 87% of nickel alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
Alloy 120-AW's machinability is poor (20/100, better than 53% of nickel alloy grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Alloy 120-AW
Is Alloy 120 easy to machine?
Treat it as a heat-resistant alloy: low speed with heavy feed, rigid clamping, and sharp positive-rake tools in cobalt HSS or coated carbide with ample coolant. Avoid rubbing and heat build-up that create a work-hardened layer.
Can Alloy 120 be welded?
GTAW, GMAW and SMAW are all suitable, with matching filler or HAYNES 556/617-type consumables. Use low heat input and interpass temperature of 150 °C or below; post-weld heat treatment is generally not required.
Can Alloy 120 be formed, bent or molded?
Ductility in the annealed condition is good, allowing cold stamping, rolling and tube bending, but work hardening is rapid and deep forming needs intermediate annealing at about 1175–1230 °C followed by rapid cooling. Hot forming range is 950–1200 °C.
What surface finishes work on Alloy 120?
Pickle or grit-blast after welding and heat treatment to remove the chromium-rich scale. Electropolishing is possible; anodizing does not apply. Keep surfaces clean and free of sulfur contamination before long-term high-temperature service.
Alloy 120 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ni | 35 – 39 | 37 |
| Cr | 23 – 27 | 25 |
| Co | ≤ 3 | 0.3 |
| Mo | ≤ 2.5 | 0.5 |
| W | ≤ 2.5 | 0.5 |
| NbCb | 0.4 – 0.9 | 0.7 |
| Nsolid-solution strengthener | 0.15 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
| C | 0.02 – 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 0.7 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| Al | ≤ 0.4 | 0.1 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| B | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Febalance, nominally ~33 % | balance | — |
Alloy 120-AW — frequently asked
What is Alloy 120-AW used for?
Alloy 120-AW is typically used for refinery furnace tubes, petrochemical heater components and high-temperature sulfidizing environments. In short: service to 1149 °C; sulfidation-resistant furnace tubing; welds without PWHT.
What is the yield strength of Alloy 120-AW?
Alloy 120-AW has a typical yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 730 MPa (106 ksi) — stronger than 51% of nickel alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is Alloy 120-AW easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, better than 53% of nickel alloy grades). Treat it as a heat-resistant alloy: low speed with heavy feed, rigid clamping, and sharp positive-rake tools in cobalt HSS or coated carbide with ample coolant. Avoid rubbing and heat build-up that create a work-hardened layer.
Can Alloy 120-AW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). GTAW, GMAW and SMAW are all suitable, with matching filler or HAYNES 556/617-type consumables. Use low heat input and interpass temperature of 150 °C or below; post-weld heat treatment is generally not required.
What surface finishes work on Alloy 120-AW?
Pickle or grit-blast after welding and heat treatment to remove the chromium-rich scale. Electropolishing is possible; anodizing does not apply. Keep surfaces clean and free of sulfur contamination before long-term high-temperature service.
Can Alloy 120-AW be formed, bent or molded?
Ductility in the annealed condition is good, allowing cold stamping, rolling and tube bending, but work hardening is rapid and deep forming needs intermediate annealing at about 1175–1230 °C followed by rapid cooling. Hot forming range is 950–1200 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of Alloy 120-AW?
Alloy 120-AW is rated for continuous use to about 1,100°C (2,012 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Alloy 120-ANN and Alloy 120-CD?
ANN is the default condition — standard supply state, solution annealed at about 1175-1230 °C and rapidly cooled; pick for most high-temperature furnace tubing, sheet forming and welded assemblies up to 1149 °C. CD: pick for fasteners, instrument tubing and machined parts needing 620 MPa yield, tight tolerance and better surface; recrystallization anneal before service above 650 °C. Yield strength is 331 MPa in ANN versus 620 MPa in CD.
Sources
- HAYNES HR-120 alloy technical data — Haynes International (2020)
- ASTM B409 — Ni-Fe-Cr Alloy Plate, Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B407 — Ni-Fe-Cr Alloy Seamless Pipe and Tube — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM B408 / B564 — Ni-Fe-Cr Alloy Rod, Bar and Forgings — ASTM International (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Heat-Resistant Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.