Bar, rod and turned components
Round bar, hex bar and wire to ASTM B164 in the annealed or cold-drawn stress-relieved condition, together with finish-machined valve stems, seats, fittings, fasteners and instrument parts produced from that bar.
- Alloy type
- Nickel-copper solid solution, free-machining
- Nominal composition
- Ni 63 min, Cu 28–34, S 0.025–0.060
- Density
- 8.80 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³)
- Melting range
- 1300–1350 °C (2370–2460 °F)
- Strengthened by
- Cold work only, not heat treatable
- Usual product forms
- Rod, bar, wire, machined components
- Forgeable
- No. Specify Monel 400 (N04400) instead
- Magnetic response
- Non-magnetic when annealed
Values are typical for annealed bar at room temperature and are given for engineering guidance. Order acceptance is against the applicable ASTM or ASME specification and the mill test certificate for the supplied heat.
Forging guidance
Alloy R-405 is not suitable for forging or hot working
Nickel-copper sulfides concentrate at the grain boundaries of Alloy R-405 and cause hot shortness. Billet tends to tear during upsetting, drawing down and ring rolling. Special Metals, the originator of the alloy, states that alloy R-405 should not be hot worked and is intended mainly for automatic screw-machine stock. ASTM B564, the specification for nickel alloy forgings, does not list N04405. Only ASTM B164, which covers rod, bar and wire, includes the grade.
Forged Alloy R-405 therefore carries a risk of surface and sub-surface cracking, and may fail ultrasonic examination to EN 10228-3 or ASTM A388. Offers of Alloy R-405 forgings to ASTM B564 should be checked against the specification before ordering.
Substitution for forged parts: where a forged nickel-copper ring, flange, shaft or disc is required, specify Monel 400 (UNS N04400). Monel 400 is the same nickel-copper system with sulfur held to 0.024 percent maximum. It forges without hot cracking, it is listed in ASTM B564, and its corrosion resistance matches Alloy R-405. Where an assembly needs both forged grain flow and high-volume turning, the usual practice is to forge the structural parts in Monel 400 and machine the turned parts from Alloy R-405 bar.
Chemical composition
Composition limits for Alloy R-405 (UNS N04405) per ASTM B164 and ASME SB-164, weight percent.
| Element | Symbol | Limit (wt %) | Function in the alloy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel | Ni | 63.0 min | Matrix, corrosion resistance in reducing media |
| Copper | Cu | 28.0 – 34.0 | Seawater and brine resistance |
| Sulfur | S | 0.025 – 0.060 | Forms sulfide chip breakers. This addition defines the grade and is the reason it is not forgeable |
| Iron | Fe | 2.5 max | Residual |
| Manganese | Mn | 2.0 max | Deoxidiser, sulfur control |
| Carbon | C | 0.3 max | Residual |
| Silicon | Si | 0.5 max | Deoxidiser |
Sulfur is the only element that separates Alloy R-405 from Monel 400. All other limits are shared between the two grades.
Mechanical properties
Nominal property ranges for Alloy R-405 rod and bar at room temperature. Values depend on section size and the amount of cold work, and are confirmed on the mill test certificate for each heat.
| Condition | Tensile strength | Yield strength (0.2 % offset) | Elongation in 2 in. | Hardness (HB, 3000 kg) | Hardness (HRB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annealed | 483 – 586 MPa 70 – 85 ksi |
172 – 276 MPa 25 – 40 ksi |
50 – 35 % | 110 – 140 | 60 – 76 |
| Cold drawn, stress relieved |
579 – 758 MPa 84 – 110 ksi |
379 – 620 MPa 55 – 90 ksi |
30 – 15 % | 160 – 210 | 84 – 96 |
Elongation is listed high to low because elongation falls as strength rises across the size range. Alloy R-405 shows no ductile-to-brittle transition down to cryogenic temperature.
Physical and thermal properties
| Property | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 8.80 g/cm³ | 0.318 lb/in³ |
| Melting range | 1300 – 1350 °C | 2370 – 2460 °F |
| Modulus of elasticity | 179 GPa | 26.0 × 10³ ksi |
| Thermal conductivity | 21.8 W/m·K | 12.6 Btu·ft/h·ft²·°F |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion (20–100 °C) | 13.9 µm/m·°C | 7.7 µin/in·°F |
| Annealing temperature | 927 °C, air cool | 1700 °F, air cool |
| Hardening method | Cold work only. Alloy R-405 is a solid-solution alloy and does not respond to solution treatment and ageing. | |
Alloy R-405 compared with Monel 400 and Monel K-500
These three grades share the nickel-copper base and are often interchanged on enquiries. The table sets out how to select between them.
| Alloy R-405 (N04405) | Monel 400 (N04400) | Monel K-500 (N05500) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defining addition | S 0.025–0.060 % | S 0.024 % max | Al 2.3–3.15 %, Ti 0.35–0.85 % |
| Machinability | Highest of the three | Moderate, gummy chips | Moderate |
| Forgeable | No | Yes | Yes |
| Forging specification | None. Bar only, ASTM B164 | ASTM B564 | ASTM B564 |
| Strengthening | Cold work | Cold work | Age hardening (Al and Ti precipitates) |
| Typical annealed tensile | 483–586 MPa | 483–586 MPa | 620–1100 MPa (aged) |
| Corrosion resistance | Same as alloy 400 | Reference grade | Same as alloy 400 |
| Applicable to | High-volume turned parts: valve stems, fittings, fasteners | Forged rings, flanges, shafts, discs, tube sheets | Forged parts requiring high strength: pump shafts, downhole tools, fasteners |
In practice, Alloy R-405 is specified for turned parts, Monel 400 for forged parts, and Monel K-500 where the yield strength of annealed nickel-copper is not sufficient.
Supply programme
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. is an open-die forging factory in Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin, Jiangsu Province, China. Nickel-copper enquiries are handled by product form, as set out below.
Open-die forgings and rolled rings
Seamless rolled rings, forged flanges, shafts, discs, sleeves, bushings, tube sheets, nozzles and forged blocks to ASTM B564, delivered rough-machined or finish-machined to drawing.
High-strength forged parts
Age-hardened pump shafts, downhole and wellhead components, valve stems and fasteners for service where annealed nickel-copper does not reach the required yield strength.
Forged and rolled-ring grades
Inconel 600, 601, 617, 625, 690, 725 and X-750; Incoloy 800, 800H, 800HT, 825, 925, 926 and 945; Hastelloy B-2, B-3, C-4, C-22, C-276 and C-2000; Alloy 59 and Alloy 602.
Processing
Open-die forging, seamless ring rolling, heat treatment, rough and finish machining, and non-destructive examination are carried out in house. Melting routes available for nickel alloys include EAF with AOD or VOD refining, and ESR remelting where the specification requires it.
Applications for nickel-copper components
Alloy R-405 parts are turned from bar. The equivalent forged parts listed below are supplied in Monel 400 or Monel K-500.
- Valves and instrumentation. Valve stems, seat rings, plugs, bodies and bonnets for ball, gate, globe, check and plug valves in seawater and brine service.
- Marine and offshore. Seawater pump shafts and sleeves, propeller shaft components, subsea and deepwater production hardware, and fasteners exposed to the splash zone.
- Chemical processing. Hydrofluoric acid alkylation equipment, caustic evaporators, heat exchanger tube sheets and baffles, pump and agitator shafts.
- Desalination and power. Brine heaters, evaporator bodies, feed-water and steam generator components, condenser hardware.
- Oil and gas. Wellhead and christmas tree parts, downhole ESP components, refinery piping hardware, crude distillation overhead systems.
- Nuclear fuel handling. Uranium refining and isotope separation plant hardware, where the approval of the alloy under ASME Section III applies.
Testing, certification and inspection
- Mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 as standard, giving heat number, full chemical analysis and mechanical test results, issued against the order specification.
- EN 10204 3.2 certificates where the buyer appoints a third-party inspection body such as SGS, BV, TUV, Lloyd's Register, or the inspector of the end user.
- Ultrasonic examination to EN 10228-3, SEP 1921 or ASTM A388, to the acceptance class stated on the order.
- Surface examination by dye penetrant to ASTM E165, or by magnetic particle where the material and geometry allow.
- Positive material identification by portable XRF or OES on request, together with hardness survey, grain size, intergranular corrosion testing and dimensional report.
- Quality management system certified to ISO 9001.
Request a quotation
Quotations are prepared against drawing, grade and quantity. A written offer is normally issued within one working day of receiving the following.
- Grade and specification, for example Alloy R-405 bar to ASTM B164, or Monel 400 forging to ASTM B564
- Drawing or finished dimensions, stating machining allowance
- Quantity and required delivery date
- Delivery condition: annealed, cold drawn, stress relieved, rough machined or finish machined
- Certificate type under EN 10204, and any NDT or third-party inspection requirement
Questions about Alloy R-405
Can Alloy R-405 (UNS N04405) be forged?
Alloy R-405 is not suitable for forging or hot working. The grade contains 0.025 to 0.060 percent sulfur, added to break chips during machining, and the resulting nickel-copper sulfides make the alloy hot-short, so it tends to crack when hot worked. Alloy R-405 is supplied as rod, bar and wire to ASTM B164 and converted into finished parts by machining.
Where a forged nickel-copper component is required, Monel 400 (UNS N04400) is the forgeable grade, with the same corrosion resistance and no sulfur addition. Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. supplies Alloy R-405 bar and machined components, and forges rings, flanges, shafts and discs in Monel 400.
What is the difference between Alloy R-405 and Monel 400?
Alloy R-405 (UNS N04405) is the free-machining version of Monel 400 (UNS N04400). The only compositional difference of consequence is sulfur: R-405 specifies 0.025 to 0.060 percent, while alloy 400 limits sulfur to 0.024 percent maximum. The sulfur forms nickel-copper sulfide inclusions that act as chip breakers, which raises output on automatic screw machines.
Corrosion resistance and physical properties match alloy 400. The limitations are that R-405 cannot be hot worked or forged, and that its machined surface finish is rougher than alloy 400 because of the same inclusions.
What specifications cover Alloy R-405?
Alloy R-405 is designated UNS N04405 and is covered by ASTM B164 and ASME SB-164 for nickel-copper rod, bar and wire, by AMS 4674, and by the former federal specification QQ-N-281. The alloy is approved as a material of construction under Section VIII Division 1 (Pressure Vessels) and Section III (Nuclear Vessels) of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.
ASTM B564, the specification for nickel alloy forgings, does not list N04405, because the grade is not intended for forging. Offers of Alloy R-405 to ASTM B564 should be checked against the specification.
Can Alloy R-405 be heat treated to increase strength?
No. Alloy R-405 is a solid-solution nickel-copper alloy and does not respond to solution treatment and ageing. It is hardened only by cold work. The standard thermal treatment is annealing at approximately 927 °C (1700 °F) followed by air cooling, which softens the material rather than strengthening it.
Where an age-hardenable nickel-copper alloy is required, specify Monel K-500 (UNS N05500), which contains aluminium and titanium that form strengthening precipitates during ageing.
What is the chemical composition of Alloy R-405?
Alloy R-405 (UNS N04405) per ASTM B164 contains nickel 63.0 percent minimum, copper 28.0 to 34.0 percent, iron 2.5 percent maximum, manganese 2.0 percent maximum, sulfur 0.025 to 0.060 percent, carbon 0.3 percent maximum and silicon 0.5 percent maximum. The controlled sulfur range distinguishes the grade from Monel 400.
What are the mechanical properties of annealed Alloy R-405?
In the annealed condition, Alloy R-405 bar shows tensile strength of 483 to 586 MPa (70 to 85 ksi), 0.2 percent offset yield strength of 172 to 276 MPa (25 to 40 ksi), elongation of 35 to 50 percent in 2 inches, Brinell hardness of 110 to 140 HB and Rockwell hardness of 60 to 76 HRB.
Cold-drawn and stress-relieved bar reaches higher strength with lower elongation. Values depend on section size and the amount of cold work, and are certified per heat on the mill test certificate.
Which corrosive media suit Alloy R-405, and which do not?
Alloy R-405 resists flowing and de-aerated seawater, brine, steam at elevated temperature, neutral and alkaline salts, caustic solutions, hydrofluoric acid and dilute sulfuric acid. It shows no ductile-to-brittle transition at sub-zero temperature, so it remains tough in cryogenic service.
Alloy R-405 is not suitable for strongly oxidising media such as nitric acid, oxidising salts and wet chlorine, or for ammonia in the presence of moisture and oxygen. Stagnant seawater can cause pitting beneath fouling deposits, so flow velocity is a design consideration in seawater systems.
Who supplies Alloy R-405 and nickel-copper forgings in China?
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. is an open-die forging factory at No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China. The company supplies Alloy R-405 (UNS N04405) bar and machined components, and produces open-die forgings, seamless rolled rings, flanges, shafts, discs, sleeves and tube sheets in Monel 400, Monel K-500, Inconel, Incoloy and Hastelloy grades.
Enquiries go to sales@steelforgepieces.com or +86 189 2135 9659.
What certification and testing is supplied with the material?
A mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 is supplied as standard, covering heat number, chemical analysis and mechanical test results. EN 10204 3.2 certificates are available where the buyer appoints a third-party inspection body such as SGS, BV, TUV or Lloyd's Register.
Ultrasonic testing is performed to EN 10228-3, SEP 1921 or ASTM A388 as specified on the order. Dye penetrant and magnetic particle examination, positive material identification, hardness survey and dimensional reports are available on request.
What information is needed to get a quotation?
To quote Alloy R-405 or any nickel-copper component, Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. requires the grade and specification, the drawing or finished dimensions with machining allowance, the quantity, the required delivery condition, the certificate type under EN 10204, and any non-destructive testing or third-party inspection requirement.
Send these details to sales@steelforgepieces.com. A written quotation is normally issued within one working day.
Company details
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. is an open-die forging factory in Jiangyin, Jiangsu Province, China, producing forged rings, seamless rolled rings, flanges, shafts, discs, sleeves, bushings and tube sheets in carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel and nickel alloys. Parts are supplied rough-forged, rough-machined or finish-machined to drawing, with EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 certification and ultrasonic examination to EN 10228-3, SEP 1921 or ASTM A388.
- Company
- Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd.
- Factory address
- No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town,
Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China - Telephone and WhatsApp
- +86 189 2135 9659
- Website
- www.steelforgepieces.com
- Capability
- Open-die forging, ring rolling, heat treatment, machining, NDT