Alloy-20Alloy 20, also known as Carpenter 20, is a nickel-iron-chromium austenitic alloy that was developed for maximum resistance to acid attack, specifically sulfuric acid. This superalloy has excellent resistance to general corrosion, pitting, and crevice corrosion in chemicals containing chlorides and sulfuric, phosphoric, and nitric acids. It also contains niobium for stabilization against sensitization and resultant intergranular corrosion. Carpenter 20 combines excellent corrosion resistance with elevated mechanical properties and relatively easy fabrication. Although originally designed for use in sulfuric acid related industries, Alloy 20 is now a popular choice for a wide variety of industries including the chemical, food, pharmaceutical, and plastics industries. In addition, this superalloy is used in heat exchangers, mixing tanks, metal cleaning and pickling equipment, and piping.

There has long been a debate on whether Carpenter 20 is a stainless steel or a nickel alloy because the nickel content is right on the border of defining it as one way or the other. So, depending on who you talk to this alloy may be referred to as alloy 20 Stainless Steel or as a nickel alloy. Either way it is still great for corrosion resistance.

In what forms is Alloy 20 Available at Jain Steels Corporation?

  • Alloy 20 Sheet
  • Alloy 20 Plate
  • Alloy 20 Bar
  • Alloy 20 Pipe & Tube (welded & seamless)
  • Alloy 20 Fittings (i.e. flanges, slip-ons, blinds, weld-necks, lapjoints, long welding necks, socket welds, elbows, tees, stub-ends, returns, caps, crosses, reducers, and pipe nipples)
  • Alloy 20 Wire

What are the characteristics of Alloy 20?

  • Excellent general corrosion resistance to sulfuric acid
  • Excellent resistance to chloride stress corrosion cracking
  • Excellent mechanical properties and fabricability
  • Minimal carbide precipitation during welding
  • Excels in resisting corrosion to hot sulfuric acids

Chemical Composition, %

Ni Fe Cr Cu Mo Nb
32.00-38.00 Balance 19.0-21.0 3.0-4.0 2.0-3.0 8xC-1.0max

 

C Mn P S Si
.07max 2.0max .045max .035max 1.0max

 

In what applications is Alloy 20 used?

  • Synthetic rubber manufacturing equipment
  • Processing of pharmaceuticals, plastics and organic and heavy chemicals
  • Tanks, piping, heat exchangers, pumps, valves, and other process equipment
  • Acid cleaning and pickling equipment
  • Chemical process piping, reactor vessels
  • Bubble caps
  • Petrochemical process equipment
  • Food and dye production

ASTM Specifications

Pipe Smls Pipe Welded Tube Smls Tube Welded Sheet/Plate Bar Forging Fitting
B729 B464 B729 B468 B463 B473 B462 B366

 

Mechanical Properties

Annealed Material

Form Tensile Min. Yield Min. (.2% offset) Elongation Min. Reduction of Area Min.
Bar (hot or cold finished) 80 ksi 35 ksi 30% 50%
Sheet/Plate 80 ksi 35 ksi 30%