Markets

Chemical Processing

Nickel-based alloys are the industry choice for high-temperature environments in chemical plants.  Not only are they exposed to highly corrosive materials, but commonly at temperatures above 1000°F.  They offer high corrosion resistance, metallurgical stability, weldability, strength, and toughness.  Advances are constantly being made in the production of our nickel alloys.  Because of this, their use in manufacturing technologies is constantly expanding across a wider range of applications.

Your choice of corrosion resistant alloys is optimized when developing equipment and even deciding on maintenance programs in your specific environment.  Nickel alloys become an economical choice for the long term when long-term maintenance and risk are factored in.

Petrochemical and Refining

Erosion-corrosion make petrochemical plants susceptible to major failures in piping, valve, and pump components.  The petrochemical industry is a major market for nickel alloys because of the caustic solutions, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, and sulfuric acid that so many of the components come in contact with.  Nickel alloys are used because of their heat resistant properties and ability to overcome severe corrosion problems.

Oil and Gas

As oil and gas production expands with the growth of ultra-deepwater production, corrosion conditions have become even more harsh on equipment in this industry.  Nickel alloys are widely used in the oil and gas market. They offer long term corrosion resistance to high H2S and CO2, high pressures, and high temperatures.   They are also the most resistant to corrosion and cracking caused by free sulfur.

The selection of corrosion resistant materials used in producing and transporting oil and gas is critical.  The specific environment of each production within the industry should be taken into account to pick the proper corrosion resistant alloys for your needs

Navy / Marine

The marine engineering industry has used different nickel-based alloys in both marine and submarine applications for many years. Ni-Cu alloys like Alloy K500 or Alloy 400, have been used in both seawater and brackish water flowing at moderate to high velocity and have yielded excellent results. Caution is to be had with these alloys when used in stagnant or low velocity seawater conditions because fouling and pitting may occur, though the corrosion rate of attack will slow down over time and will rarely exceed 50mils in depth. Other nickel-based alloys like Alloys C276, Alloy 625 are even more resistant because of the addition of Cr and Mo to the alloy, even in stagnant or low velocity conditions. Especially with regards to crevice corrosion resistance. These alloys are often used for critical components like bellows expansion joints, fasteners, exhaust systems and seals.

Air Pollution Control

In the Air Pollution Control Industry it is critical to use alloys that can withstand high chloride levels.  Other environmental factors that contribute to the corrosion of components used in the industry are high temperatures, mineral deposits, halides other than chlorides, and acidity. Coal-fired power plants use flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems to remove sulfur dioxide from exhaust gases.  FGDs are the most vulnerable area to corrosion and are critical to compliance with the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments.

Pharmaceutical

Pharmaceutical manufacturing requires highly reliable materials capable of maintaining purity while withstanding aggressive cleaning and sterilization processes. Equipment used in drug production is frequently exposed to corrosive chemicals, high-purity water systems, biological buffers, cleaning agents, and repeated steam sterilization cycles. In these environments, material degradation and contamination can jeopardize product quality, regulatory compliance, and patient safety.

Nickel-based alloys offer superior resistance to corrosion, pitting, crevice attack, and stress corrosion cracking in demanding pharmaceutical applications. They are commonly used in reactors, heat exchangers, piping systems, storage vessels, and other critical processing equipment. By providing long-term durability and protecting against contamination, corrosion resistant alloys help pharmaceutical manufacturers maintain production efficiency while minimizing maintenance and operational risk.

Semiconductor

The semiconductor industry relies on ultra-clean manufacturing environments where contamination, corrosion, and material degradation cannot be tolerated. Semiconductor fabrication equipment is routinely exposed to highly corrosive process chemistries, including hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid, chlorine compounds, and high-purity gases. Components used in wafer fabrication, chemical delivery systems, vacuum equipment, and exhaust handling systems must maintain their integrity while operating in these aggressive environments.

Nickel-based alloys are widely used throughout semiconductor manufacturing because of their exceptional corrosion resistance, metallurgical stability, and resistance to contamination. Their ability to withstand aggressive chemicals and elevated temperatures helps manufacturers maximize equipment uptime, reduce maintenance costs, and protect valuable production processes where even minor failures can result in significant losses.

Space Exploration

Space exploration presents some of the most demanding operating environments encountered by modern engineering. Components used in launch vehicles, propulsion systems, spacecraft, and ground support equipment must perform reliably under extreme temperatures, high pressures, aggressive propellants, and severe mechanical stresses. Failure is not an option when mission success depends on the long-term integrity of critical systems.

Nickel-based alloys are extensively used throughout the aerospace and space industries because of their exceptional strength, toughness, oxidation resistance, and corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures. These materials are commonly found in rocket engines, propellant handling systems, heat exchangers, fasteners, and structural components. Their ability to maintain performance in harsh environments makes them an essential material choice for supporting both current and future space exploration missions.

Pulp and Paper

In the Pulp & Paper Industry, new pulping methods have resulted in high corrosion susceptibility. Extended modified continuous cooking and isothermal cooking combine low hydroxide concentrations and high temperatures.  Often plants experience damage in digesters from cleaning with hydrochloric acid.  Chlorine bleaching is being replaced by chlorine dioxide and chlorate bleaching, which also requires high levels of corrosion resistance in equipment used in this bleaching process. It has been estimated that in the U.S. alone, over $1 trillion is lost to corrosion costs per year. The use of high performance alloys has been used as proactive protection against corrosive substances in plants across the world