UNS N05500|2.4375|Monel K500 Seamless Pipe
Distinguished by its precipitation-hardening (age-hardening) process, our Monel K500 tubing incorporates aluminum and titanium to achieve nearly triple the yield strength of standard Monel 400. These pipes maintain excellent mechanical properties from sub-zero temperatures up to 480°C (900°F) while remaining essentially non-magnetic, making them indispensable for marine propeller shafts, oil-well drilling tools, and electronic components. Through advanced cold-drawing and precise age-hardening heat treatment, XinZhe ensures every pipe delivers optimal dimensional tolerance and maximum resistance to stress-corrosion cracking in sour-gas environments.
"Our specialized age-hardening process is strictly controlled to prevent grain growth, ensuring a uniform hardness across the entire pipe length."
What Is a Seamless Monel K500 Pipe?
Seamless Monel K500 Pipe (UNS N05500) – High-Strength Nickel-Copper Alloy Pipe
Key Features and Technical Advantages
Seamless Monel K500 Pipe (UNS N05500) is a high-performance nickel-copper alloy pipe known for its exceptional strength, corrosion resistance, and reliability in extreme environments.
Unlike Monel 400, Monel K500 is an age-hardenable alloy. Through the addition of controlled amounts of aluminum (Al) and titanium (Ti), the material can undergo precipitation hardening, significantly increasing its mechanical strength.
The seamless manufacturing process (hot piercing and cold drawing) ensures:
- No weld seams
- Uniform grain structure
- Superior performance under high pressure and cyclic stress
1. High Strength & Hardness
- Yield strength up to 3× higher than Monel 400
- Excellent performance in:
- High-pressure systems
- High-torque mechanical applications
2. Outstanding Corrosion Resistance
- Excellent resistance to:
- Seawater and brackish water
- Hydrofluoric acid (HF)
- Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄)
- Suitable for aggressive marine and chemical environments
3. Non-Magnetic Performance
- Remainsnon-magnetic even at -101°C (-150°F)
- Ideal for:
- Downhole tools
- Electronic and measurement equipment
4. Excellent Dimensional Stability
- Maintains mechanical integrity under:
- Thermal cycling
- Mechanical stress
5. Spark Resistance
- Intrinsically safe for:
- Explosive environments
- Gas and petrochemical plants
To provide a comprehensive overview of this high-performance material, here are the detailed technical specifications and performance data for Monel K500.
Product Specifications and Data
The composition of Monel K500 is carefully balanced to achieve its superior strength and corrosion resistance.
Monel K500 is specifically designed to maintain its strength and shape in high-stress, corrosive environments.
These physical properties highlight the material's ability to perform reliably under a wide range of conditions.
Chemical Composition
Chemical Composition
| Grade | C | Mn | S | Si | Ni | Cu | Fe | Ti | Al |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monel 400 | ≤0.3 | ≤2.0 | ≤0.024 | ≤0.5 | ≥63.0 | 28.0-34.0 | ≤2.5 | - | - |
| Monel K-500 | ≤0.2 | ≤1.5 | ≤0.010 | ≤0.5 | ≥63.0 | 27.0-33.0 | 0.5-2.0 | 0.35-0.85 | 2.30-3.15 |
Typical Mechanical Properties
Typical Mechanical Properties
| Tensile Strength | Yield Strength | Elongation | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≥ 1100 MPa | ≥ 758 MPa | ≥ 20% | 26-32 HRC |
Typical Physical Properties
Typical Physical Properties
| Density | Melting Point | Thermal Expansion | Thermal Conductivity | Modulus of Elasticity | Electrical Resistivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.44 g/cm³ | 1315 - 1350 °C | 13.7 µm/m·°C (20-100°C) | 17.5 W/m·K (20°C) | 179 GPa | 0.62 x 10 ⁻ ⁶ Ω·m (20°C) |
Dimensional Standards and Tolerances
Monel K500 seamless pipes are produced in compliance with global dimensional standards for precise engineering fit:
- ASTM B865 / ASME SB865 – Precipitation-hardening nickel-copper alloy pipe
- ASTM B829 – General requirements for nickel alloy pipe and tube
- NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 for sour gas service where applicable
Typical tolerance ranges include:
- Outer Diameter (OD): ±0.4 mm to ±1.6 mm depending on size
- Wall Thickness (WT): +15% / -12.5% (typical ASTM range)
- Length: random 5–7 m, or fixed / specified lengths on request
- Straightness: maximum 1.5 mm per metre
Common Industrial Applications
Monel K500 seamless pipes are widely used in demanding industries:
Marine & Subsea Engineering
- Pump shafts
- Seawater valves
- Mooring components
- Marine fasteners
Oil & Gas Industry
- Downhole tools and non-magnetic drill collars
- Valve stems and pump components
- Sour gas and high-strength fastener service
Chemical Processing
- Pumps and valves handling corrosive media
- Equipment requiring high strength plus corrosion resistance
Aerospace & Instrumentation
- Non-magnetic structural components
- Precision instruments and springs
Quality Assurance and Manufacturing Process
To ensure reliability and compliance, each pipe undergoes strict quality control:
Every Monel K500 (UNS N05500) seamless pipe undergoes strict quality control from billet selection through forming, heat treatment and final inspection:
Certification
- EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2 Material Test Certificates (MTC) issued for every heat
- Compliance with ASTM B865 / ASME SB865 and ASTM B829
- Full heat traceability from raw material to finished pipe
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
- Ultrasonic Testing (UT) per ASTM E213
- Eddy Current Testing (ET) for surface and near-surface defects
- Hydrostatic pressure testing to verify pipe integrity
Material Verification
- 100% Positive Material Identification (PMI)
- Chemical analysis confirming composition against the specified grade
- Carbon and sulfur analysis where required
Mechanical Testing
- Tensile, yield and elongation testing per ASTM A370
- Hardness testing to confirm the specified condition
- Flattening, flaring and intergranular corrosion tests
Dimensional Inspection
- OD, wall thickness and ovality verified against the tolerance table
- Length, straightness and end preparation checked before dispatch
- Third-party inspection available through ABS, DNV, BV, TUV or SGS
Monel K500 vs Monel 400 – Technical Comparison
Monel K500 (UNS N05500) and Monel 400 (UNS N04400) are nickel-copper alloys with excellent seawater corrosion resistance. Monel K500 is age-hardenable and therefore significantly stronger.
Chemical and Metallurgical Differences
- Aluminium and titanium: Monel K500 contains 2.30–3.15% Al and 0.35–0.85% Ti, enabling age hardening.
- Strengthening mechanism: K500 is precipitation hardened; Monel 400 is a single-phase solid-solution alloy.
- Magnetic behaviour: Both are essentially non-magnetic at room temperature, though K500 can become slightly magnetic after cold work.
Mechanical Performance
- Yield strength: Monel K500 reaches approximately 690 MPa in the aged condition, roughly three times that of Monel 400.
- Hardness: K500 is considerably harder, improving resistance to erosion and galling.
- Ductility: Monel 400 offers higher elongation and easier fabrication.
Selection Guide
- ChooseMonel K500 for high-strength marine shafts, pump components and subsea fasteners.
- ChooseMonel 400 for general seawater piping, heat exchangers and where maximum ductility is required.
- Both are supplied as seamless pipe to ASTM B163 / B865.
Ordering Information
- Specify grade (UNS N05500), condition (aged or annealed) and standard.
- Provide OD × wall thickness, length and quantity.
- State testing, certification and documentation requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Monel K500 seamless pipe?
Monel K500 (UNS N05500) is an age-hardenable copper-nickel alloy seamless pipe containing approximately 63% Ni, 28–34% Cu, 2.30–3.15% Al and 0.35–0.85% Ti. Precipitation hardening roughly doubles its strength compared with Monel 400 while retaining the same corrosion resistance.
What is the difference between Monel K500 and Monel 400?
Monel K500 contains aluminium and titanium that allow precipitation hardening, giving approximately 690 MPa yield strength versus 195 MPa for annealed Monel 400. Monel 400 is annealed and work hardened only, retains higher ductility, and is essentially non-magnetic, whereas K500 becomes slightly ferromagnetic after ageing.
Which standards cover Monel K500 seamless pipe?
Monel K500 seamless pipe is manufactured to ASTM B865 / ASME SB865 for precipitation-hardening nickel-copper alloy pipe and ASTM B829 for general requirements. Material is supplied with EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2 certification.
What is Monel K500 pipe used for?
Typical applications include pump shafts, seawater valves, mooring components and marine fasteners, downhole tools and non-magnetic drill collars in oil and gas, high-strength valve stems and pump components in chemical plants, and non-magnetic structural parts in aerospace and precision instruments.
Ready to Request a Quotation?
Send your Monel K500 Seamless Pipe enquiry with grade, applicable ASTM/ASME standard and edition, OD × wall thickness, length, quantity, end finish, delivery destination and inspection documents — you will get a written quotation stating the specification and edition, delivery condition, documents included and lead time.
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