Nickel Alloy ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO
Certified grade
UNS W86182 · ASTM A5.11 ENiCrFe-3 · also Inconel Filler Metal 182
Specify for reactor-coolant-side work where Co-60 activation must be minimised; identical mechanicals, tighter Co/P/S and traceability per ASME III / RCC-M.
Values for the NUCL-LOWCO condition
Other ENiCrFe-3 tempers and conditions
ENiCrFe-3 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at ENiCrFe-3.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Deposit after solution anneal ~1050 °C + rapid cool | Used when a clad or repaired component is fully solution annealed with the base metal (Alloy 600 fabrication route); maximum ductility, lowest strength. | 320 | 570 | 45 | 165 HB | 1.4 % IACS |
Deposit after post-weld stress relief | Pick when the assembly (e.g. dissimilar weld on P-No.1/P-No.5 steel) must receive a code-required stress relief; strength drops slightly, ductility rises. | 380 | 590 | 42 | 180 HB | 1.4 % IACS |
AWDefault As-welded deposit | Standard condition for ENiCrFe-3 deposits: joints and overlays used directly as welded, per AWS A5.11 all-weld-metal test requirements. | 420 | 620 | 38 | 11 HRC | 1.4 % IACS |
NUCL-LOWCOThis page nuclear grade, cobalt ≤ 0.02–0.12 % restricted | Specify for reactor-coolant-side work where Co-60 activation must be minimised; identical mechanicals, tighter Co/P/S and traceability per ASME III / RCC-M. | 420 | 620 | 38 | 190 HB | 1.4 % IACS |
What is ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO?
ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO is ENiCrFe-3 in a NUCL-LOWCO certified grade — specify for reactor-coolant-side work where Co-60 activation must be minimised; identical mechanicals, tighter Co/P/S and traceability per ASME III / RCC-M. ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 62% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 52% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,340°C (2,444 °F). AW is the default condition FabDigit quotes; NUCL-LOWCO is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 92% of nickel alloy grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 140 MPa·√m (127.4 ksi·√in), better than 91% of nickel alloy grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 84% of nickel alloy grades
ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO properties
Typical room-temperature values for ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ENiCrFe-3 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among nickel alloy grades.
Physical3
ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 52% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,340°C (2,444 °F).
Mechanical17
ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 62% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal5
ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO is rated for continuous service to 650°C (1,202 °F). It conducts heat at 10.5 W/m·K (6.07 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 73% of nickel alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 14.5 µm/m·K (8.06 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO conducts electricity at 1.4 % IACS, worse than 65% of nickel alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (76/100), worse than 59% of nickel alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO takes about 135 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 84% of nickel alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO's machinability is poor (28/100, better than 82% of nickel alloy grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO
Is ENiCrFe-3 easy to machine?
Tough, work-hardening deposit — use rigid setups, sharp carbide at low speed/high feed, flood coolant, and avoid dwelling to prevent glazing.
Can ENiCrFe-3 be welded?
DCEP (some grades AC-capable), stringer beads, low heat input, interpass ≤ 150 °C, redry electrodes 250–300 °C/1 h; no preheat needed but clean joint faces and limit dilution from steel.
Can ENiCrFe-3 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product; deposit can be lightly peened or ground, hot working of the weld metal is not recommended.
What surface finishes work on ENiCrFe-3?
Remove all slag between passes; grind/blend, pickle-free cleaning with stainless wire brushes, and electropolish or buff for service-water/nuclear cleanliness requirements.
ENiCrFe-3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cr | 13 – 17 | 15 |
| Fe | ≤ 10 | 7 |
| Mn | 5 – 9.5 | 7 |
| Nb+TaCb+Ta, stabiliser against hot cracking | 1 – 2.5 | 1.8 |
| Ti | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| C | ≤ 0.1 | 0.04 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.5 | 0.05 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Corestricted only when nuclear grade is ordered | ≤ 0.12 | 0.03 |
| Other, total | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| NiNi + Co reported together in AWS A5.11 | ≥ 59 (balance) | — |
ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO — frequently asked
What is ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO used for?
ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO is typically used for nuclear reactor dissimilar metal welds, alloy 600/690 fabrication and buttering welds on low-alloy steel. In short: standard Alloy 182 electrode; nuclear dissimilar-metal welding; low-cobalt lots available.
What is the yield strength of ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO?
ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO has a typical yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 62% of nickel alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, better than 82% of nickel alloy grades). Tough, work-hardening deposit — use rigid setups, sharp carbide at low speed/high feed, flood coolant, and avoid dwelling to prevent glazing.
Can ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). DCEP (some grades AC-capable), stringer beads, low heat input, interpass ≤ 150 °C, redry electrodes 250–300 °C/1 h; no preheat needed but clean joint faces and limit dilution from steel.
What surface finishes work on ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO?
Remove all slag between passes; grind/blend, pickle-free cleaning with stainless wire brushes, and electropolish or buff for service-water/nuclear cleanliness requirements.
Can ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product; deposit can be lightly peened or ground, hot working of the weld metal is not recommended.
What is the maximum service temperature of ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO?
ENiCrFe-3 NUCL-LOWCO is rated for continuous use to about 650°C (1,202 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ENiCrFe-3-AW and ENiCrFe-3 SOL-ANN?
AW is the default condition — standard condition for ENiCrFe-3 deposits: joints and overlays used directly as welded, per AWS A5.11 all-weld-metal test requirements. SOL-ANN: used when a clad or repaired component is fully solution annealed with the base metal (Alloy 600 fabrication route); maximum ductility, lowest strength. Yield strength is 420 MPa in AW versus 320 MPa in SOL-ANN.
Sources
- AWS A5.11/A5.11M Specification for Nickel and Nickel-Alloy Welding Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding — AWS (2018)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part C, SFA-5.11 — ASME (2023)
- INCONEL Welding Electrode 182 product data — Special Metals Welding Products (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering (Ni-alloy filler metals) — ASM International (1993)
- GB/T 13814 (ENi6182) — SAC (2008)
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.