Nickel 201-QH (Quarter Hard)
Grade
UNS N02201 · ASTM B160 · EN 2.4068 · GB N4
Lightly cold-worked low-carbon pure nickel with strength between annealed and half-hard temper, retaining good ductility and formability for bending and drawing.
Values for the QH condition
Other Nickel 201 tempers and conditions
Nickel 201 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at Nickel 201.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Default stock condition: maximum ductility for deep drawing, spinning, bending and welded fabrication of caustic/chemical equipment. | 105 | 415 | 47 | 90 HB | — |
Hot Worked / Hot Finished | Choose for heavy plate, forgings and large bar where a soft anneal is unnecessary; slightly stronger than annealed with residual hot-work structure. | 165 | 450 | 42 | 115 HB | — |
Strain hardened, half hard | Use when a little extra stiffness and flatness are wanted but the part still needs moderate bending and forming. | 275 | 460 | 25 | 130 HB | — |
QHThis page Quarter Hard | Lightly cold-worked low-carbon pure nickel with strength between annealed and half-hard temper, retaining good ductility and formability for bending and drawing. | 310 | 490 | 25 | 150 HB | 17 % IACS |
Cold Drawn, Stress Relieved | Common bar/tube condition: cold-drawn strength with residual stresses relieved for straightness and dimensional stability in machining. | 350 | 500 | 20 | 150 HB | — |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Balanced strength/formability temper for springy clips, formed strip parts and machined components needing better chip control. | 380 | 510 | 15 | 160 HB | — |
Strain hardened and stabilized, half hard | For flat springs, diaphragms and stamped parts that need high yield strength with only mild bending. | 460 | 560 | 8 | 185 HB | — |
Strain hardened and stabilized, full hard | Highest strength and hardness available without heat treatment; for spring strip, wire and wear surfaces where forming is limited to flat blanking. | 550 | 620 | 4 | 20 HRC | — |
What is Nickel 201-QH?
Nickel 201-QH is Nickel 201 in the QH grade — lightly cold-worked low-carbon pure nickel with strength between annealed and half-hard temper, retaining good ductility and formability for bending and drawing. Nickel 201-QH has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 74% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi). Nickel 201-QH has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,435°C (2,615 °F). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QH is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 79 W/m·K (45.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of nickel alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 38/100, better than 98% of nickel alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 17 % IACS, better than 97% of nickel alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 315°C (599 °F), worse than 98% of nickel alloy grades
Nickel 201-QH properties
Typical room-temperature values for Nickel 201-QH; 40 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Nickel 201 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among nickel alloy grades.
Physical3
Nickel 201-QH has a density of 8.89 g/cm³ (0.321 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,435°C (2,615 °F).
Mechanical14
Nickel 201-QH has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 74% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
Nickel 201-QH is rated for continuous service to 315°C (599 °F). It conducts heat at 79 W/m·K (45.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of nickel alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 13.3 µm/m·K (7.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Nickel 201-QH conducts electricity at 17 % IACS, better than 97% of nickel alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), worse than 71% of nickel alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Nickel 201-QH takes about 165 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — more than 54% of nickel alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
Nickel 201-QH's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 98% of nickel alloy grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability good (65/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Nickel 201-QH
Is Nickel 201 easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening: use positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy feeds, slow-to-moderate speeds, rigid setup and flood sulfochlorinated oil; light cuts cause glazing and built-up edge, so cold-worked stock machines better than annealed.
Can Nickel 201 be welded?
Readily joined by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with ERNi-1 / ENi-1 filler and by resistance welding; keep surfaces free of sulfur, lead and grease and avoid heavy interpass heat to prevent porosity and hot cracking.
Can Nickel 201 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in the annealed temper — deep draws, spinning and tube bending are routine; hot work at 870–1230 °C in low-sulfur atmosphere, and interanneal at 700–870 °C for severe multi-stage forming.
What surface finishes work on Nickel 201?
Not anodizable; pickle in HCl/HNO₃-free acid or bright-anneal to remove the tenacious oxide, then abrasive-belt and buff for a mirror finish, or electroplate/electroless-nickel where a harder surface is needed.
Nickel 201 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clow-carbon limit that prevents graphitic embrittlement above ~315 °C | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.4 | 0.15 |
| S | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Si | ≤ 0.35 | 0.1 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| NiNi + Co per ASTM B160/B161/B162, 99.0 % min | ≥ 99 (balance) | — |
Nickel 201-QH — frequently asked
What is Nickel 201-QH used for?
Nickel 201-QH is typically used for high-temperature caustic evaporators, electron tube components and furnace parts. In short: low-carbon high-temperature nickel; best formability in family; hot caustic service standard.
What is the yield strength of Nickel 201-QH?
Nickel 201-QH has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 74% of nickel alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is Nickel 201-QH easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 98% of nickel alloy grades). Gummy and work-hardening: use positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy feeds, slow-to-moderate speeds, rigid setup and flood sulfochlorinated oil; light cuts cause glazing and built-up edge, so cold-worked stock machines better than annealed.
Can Nickel 201-QH be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Readily joined by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with ERNi-1 / ENi-1 filler and by resistance welding; keep surfaces free of sulfur, lead and grease and avoid heavy interpass heat to prevent porosity and hot cracking.
What surface finishes work on Nickel 201-QH?
Not anodizable; pickle in HCl/HNO₃-free acid or bright-anneal to remove the tenacious oxide, then abrasive-belt and buff for a mirror finish, or electroplate/electroless-nickel where a harder surface is needed.
Can Nickel 201-QH be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in the annealed temper — deep draws, spinning and tube bending are routine; hot work at 870–1230 °C in low-sulfur atmosphere, and interanneal at 700–870 °C for severe multi-stage forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of Nickel 201-QH?
Nickel 201-QH is rated for continuous use to about 315°C (599 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Nickel 201-ANN and Nickel 201-H38?
ANN is the default condition — default stock condition: maximum ductility for deep drawing, spinning, bending and welded fabrication of caustic/chemical equipment. H38: highest strength and hardness available without heat treatment; for spring strip, wire and wear surfaces where forming is limited to flat blanking. Yield strength is 105 MPa in ANN versus 550 MPa in H38.
Sources
- ASTM B162 — Nickel Plate, Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM B160 — Nickel Rod and Bar — ASTM International (2019)
- Nickel 200 & 201 Alloy Data Sheet — Special Metals Corporation (2005)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Nickel Institute / NiDI corrosion and caustic service data — Nickel Institute (2020)
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.