Nickel Alloy FeNi
FeNi is an iron-nickel master alloy smelted from laterite or sulfide ore and used as the primary nickel-bearing raw material addition in stainless and alloy steelmaking.
Reference datasheet — FeNi is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the FeNi25 condition
FeNi tempers and conditions
FeNi is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. FeNi25 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ferronickel, nominal 38–42 % Ni | Top graded ferronickel (e.g. New Caledonia / Japanese smelters); highest payable, lowest impurity dilution. | 260 | 320 | 1 | 20 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
NPI low grade | Cheapest nickel unit for 200-series stainless and low-alloy steel where high C, Si and S are tolerable. | 280 | 0 | 43 HRC | 3.8 % IACS | |
NPI medium grade | Transitional RKEF product; used where a moderate nickel unit with high carbon is acceptable. | 300 | 0.3 | 41 HRC | 3.3 % IACS | |
Ferronickel, nominal 15 % Ni | Low end of the graded ferronickel range; bridges NPI and standard FeNi20+ contracts. | 300 | 420 | 1.5 | 29 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
NPI high grade | The workhorse feed for Chinese/Indonesian 304 stainless production; carbon 1.8–2.5 % is decarburised in the AOD. | 320 | 0.5 | 40 HRC | 3 % IACS | |
Ferronickel, nominal 20 % Ni | Standard traded ferronickel grade for stainless melt shops wanting a defined nickel unit. | 320 | 450 | 2 | 27 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
FeNi25Default Ferronickel, nominal 25 % Ni | Default stocked ferronickel: balanced nickel unit cost, moderate impurities, suitable for most 300-series stainless charges. | 340 | 470 | 2.5 | 26 HRC | 16 W/m·K |
Ferronickel, nominal 30 % Ni | Higher nickel unit density; fewer tonnes to handle per unit Ni, lower iron dilution of the heat. | 350 | 490 | 3 | 24 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
Ferronickel, nominal 35 % Ni | High-grade smelter product (typically refined) for premium stainless and alloy-steel charges. | 360 | 510 | 4 | 22 HRC | 2 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways FeNi is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
SHOT | Granulated ferronickel shot / granules | Supply form |
HC-CRUDE | High-carbon crude ferronickel | Surface finish |
LC-REFINED | Refined low-carbon ferronickel | Surface finish |
What is FeNi?
FeNi is an iron-nickel master alloy smelted from laterite or sulfide ore and used as the primary nickel-bearing raw material addition in stainless and alloy steelmaking. It is held across nickel contents from FeNi15 to FeNi40, plus low-, medium- and high-grade nickel pig iron (NPI), in high-carbon crude, low-carbon refined and shot forms. Reference values are 8 g/cm3 density, 260 HB and a 1420 C melting point; the material is brittle, oxidises readily (corrosion score 18) and carries carbon and sulphur into the heat. Where those residuals cannot be tolerated, electrolytic nickel briquette or shot is the alternative. FeNi has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), lighter than 85% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). FeNi has a yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 63% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is FeNi used for?
- stainless steel melt charge addition
- alloy steel nickel alloying
- foundry additive
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 11 kg CO₂/kg, better than 85% of nickel alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.3 % IACS, better than 83% of nickel alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 16 W/m·K (9.24 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 82% of nickel alloy grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 18/100, worse than 100% of nickel alloy grades
- Low fracture toughness — 38 MPa·√m (34.6 ksi·√in), worse than 98% of nickel alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 2.5%, worse than 94% of nickel alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 14/100, worse than 89% of nickel alloy grades
- Limited formability — 7/100, worse than 88% of nickel alloy grades
FeNi properties
Typical room-temperature values for FeNi-FeNi25; bars are the position among nickel alloy grades.
Physical3
FeNi has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), lighter than 85% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
FeNi has a yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 63% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal5
FeNi is rated for continuous service to 550°C (1,022 °F). It conducts heat at 16 W/m·K (9.24 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 82% of nickel alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
FeNi conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 83% of nickel alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (18/100), worse than 100% of nickel alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of FeNi takes about 125 MJ of energy and emits 11 kg of CO₂ — less than 89% of nickel alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability5
FeNi's machinability is poor (22/100, better than 64% of nickel alloy grades); weldability not recommended (14/100); formability not recommended (7/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the nickel alloy family
Yield strength against density for every nickel alloy grade FabDigit runs. FeNi is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with FeNi
Is FeNi easy to machine?
Not a machining stock — as-cast high-carbon ferronickel is hard and brittle; ingots are broken/crushed or supplied as shot rather than cut.
Can FeNi be welded?
Not welded; it is a charge material remelted in EAF/induction/AOD, where its carbon and sulphur must be accounted for in the refining balance.
Can FeNi be formed, bent or molded?
No wrought forming; produced by RKEF/electric-furnace smelting and cast into ingots, pigs or water-granulated shot.
FeNi 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nigraded classes run 15–40 % Ni; NPI grades 1.5–12 % | 24 – 26 | 25 |
| Coco-reported with Ni from laterite ore | 0.3 – 1.5 | 0.8 |
| C≤0.03 % in refined low-carbon grades | 0.02 – 2.5 | 1.8 |
| Si≤0.05 % after refining | 0.05 – 2.5 | 1 |
| S≤0.02 % refined; key contract penalty element | ≤ 0.35 | 0.1 |
| P≤0.02 % refined | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Crcarried over from chromite in laterite | ≤ 2 | 0.5 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on FeNi?
No surface finishing; store dry and covered to limit rust and moisture pickup that would cause spitting and slag load on charging.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on nickel alloy parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Plating
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Nickel Alloy FeNi in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- FeNi25
How much does FeNi cost?
FeNi is a standard-cost nickel alloy ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
FeNi — frequently asked
What is FeNi used for?
FeNi is typically used for stainless steel melt charge addition, alloy steel nickel alloying and foundry additive. In short: lowest-cost nickel unit; steelmaking charge material only; carries carbon and sulphur.
What is the yield strength of FeNi?
FeNi has a typical yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 63% of nickel alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is FeNi easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, better than 64% of nickel alloy grades). Not a machining stock — as-cast high-carbon ferronickel is hard and brittle; ingots are broken/crushed or supplied as shot rather than cut.
Can FeNi be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (14/100). Not welded; it is a charge material remelted in EAF/induction/AOD, where its carbon and sulphur must be accounted for in the refining balance.
What surface finishes work on FeNi?
No surface finishing; store dry and covered to limit rust and moisture pickup that would cause spitting and slag load on charging.
Can FeNi be formed, bent or molded?
No wrought forming; produced by RKEF/electric-furnace smelting and cast into ingots, pigs or water-granulated shot.
What is the maximum service temperature of FeNi?
FeNi is rated for continuous use to about 550°C (1,022 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between FeNi25 and FeNi40?
FeNi25 is the default condition — default stocked ferronickel: balanced nickel unit cost, moderate impurities, suitable for most 300-series stainless charges. FeNi40: top graded ferronickel (e.g. New Caledonia / Japanese smelters); highest payable, lowest impurity dilution. Yield strength is 340 MPa in FeNi25 versus 260 MPa in FeNi40.
How much does FeNi cost?
FeNi is a standard-cost nickel alloy ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM A550 — Standard Specification for Ferronickel — ASTM International (2019)
- ISO 6501 — Ferronickel, specification and delivery conditions — ISO (1988)
- GB/T 25049 (2010)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Fe-Ni alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Life Cycle Data for Class 1 and Class 2 Nickel (ferronickel / NPI) — Nickel Institute (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.