Nickel-iron alloy

Marcus P, Teissier A and Oudar J 1984 The influence of sulfur on the dissolution and the passivation of a nickel-iron alloy. 1. Electrochemical and radiotracer measurements Corrosion Sc . 24 259... 

Soft magnetic materials are characterized by high permeabiUty and low coercivity. There are sis principal groups of commercially important soft magnetic materials iron and low carbon steels, iron—siUcon alloys, iron—aluminum and iron—aluminum—silicon alloys, nickel—iron alloys, iron-cobalt alloys, and ferrites. In addition, iron-boron-based amorphous soft magnetic alloys are commercially available. Some have properties similar to the best grades of the permalloys whereas others exhibit core losses substantially below those of the oriented siUcon steels. Table 1 summarizes the properties of some of these materials. 

Uses. Copper—nickel—iron alloys, UNS C 96200 (90 10 copper nickel) and UNS C 96400 (70 30 copper nickel), are used in corrosion-resistant marine (seawater) appHcations. UNS C 96400 is used for corrosion-resistant marine elbows, flanges, valves, and pumps. Leaded nickel—brass, UNS C 97300 (12% nickel-silver), is used for hardware fittings, valves, and statuary and ornamental castings. 

Chapter 5. Physical Properties Under Elastic-Plastic Compression Table 5.1. Compressibilities of nickel-iron alloys (after Graham et al. [67G01]). 

Nickel-iron alloys have a number of important applications that are derived from such special physical properties as their unique magnetic characteristics in the regions of 35, 50 and 80% nickel and from their abnormally low thermal expansion in the region of 36-50% nickel. Although not specifically used as corrosion-resistant materials, their high resistance to attack from many common environments is of benefit in their specialised applications. 

Fig. 3.37 Resistance of nickel-iron alloys to corrosion by an industrial atmosphere (Bayonne N. J., USA) (after Pettibone )...

Nickel-iron alloys fully immersed in sea-water may suffer localised corrosion which can be severe under conditions where oxygen is constantly renewed at the surface and the formation of protective corrosion products is hindered, e.g. in fully-aerated flowing sea-water. In quieter, less oxygenated conditions, average corrosion rates of Fe-36Ni are low and well below those for mild steel, as exemplified in the data given in Table 3.33 . However the resistance to localised attack is not improved to the same extent. 

Nickel-iron alloys suffer significantly less corrosion than mild steel when exposed to a soft, fresh water but Friend found that the resistance to pitting is only slightly greater (Table 3,34). 

Much of the information available on resistance of nickel-iron alloys to corrosion by mineral acids is summarised by Marsh. In general, corrosion rates decrease sharply as the nickel content is increased from 0 to 30-40%, with little further improvement above this level. The value of the nickel addition is most pronounced in conditions where hydrogen evolution is the major cathodic reaction, i.e. under conditions of low aeration and agitation. Results reported by Hatfield show that the rates of attack of Fe-25Ni alloy in sulphuric and hydrochloric acid solutions, although much lower than those of mild steel, are still appreciable (Tables 3.35 and 3.36). In solutions of nitric acid, nickel-iron alloys show very high rates of corrosion. 

Nickel-iron alloys are more resistant than iron to attack by solutions of various salts. In alternate immersion tests in 5% sodium chloride solution Fink and De Croly determined values of 2-8, 0-25 and 0-5 g m d for alloys containing 37, 80 and 100% nickel compared with 46 g m d for iron. Corrosion rates of about 0.4 g m d are reported by Hatfield for Fe-30Ni alloy exposed to solutions containing respectively 5 Vo magnesium sulphate, 10 Vo magnesium chloride and 10% sodium sulphate the same alloy corroded at a rate of about 1.2 g m d in 5% ammonium chloride. 

In tests lasting for 14 days, Copson found that the susceptibility of steel to stress-corrosion cracking in hot caustic soda solutions increased with increase in nickel content up to at least 8-5%. Alloys containing 28% and more of nickel did not fail in this period. In boiling 42% magnesium chloride the 9% nickel-iron alloy was the most susceptible of those tested to cracking (Table 3.38). Alloys containing 28 and 42% nickel did not fail within 7 days. 

Bimetallic corrosion of nickel-iron alloys may be of significance in welding operations. Ni-45 Fe alloys are used as filler materials in the welding of cast irons but the favourable area relationship of weld metal to base plate... 

Of more serious practical significance is iron contamination of nickel-clad steel welds. Tables 3.39 and 3.40 show the increase in corrosion of various nickel-iron alloys which may occur when coupled to nickel in... 

Table 3.39 Bimetallic corrosion between nickel and nickel-iron alloys in l6<7o calcium chloride solution ...

Heat treatment, e.g. 2 h at 600°C, improves the resistance to corrosion of nickel-boron and nickel-phosphorus electroless nickel deposits, especially to acid media. This presumably results from formation of a nickel-iron alloy layer . 

Concern over the health hazards of the hexavalent chromium solutions used to form the top coat of conventional nickel plus chromium coatings have encouraged research into trivalent chromium plating solutions. A process with better throwing power and improved covering power than those of hexavalent chromium has been described by Smart etal". A process for depositing a chromium-iron, or chromium-nickel-iron alloy, has been outlined by Law. ... 

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