Monel

Monel is an alloy (i.e. combination of two or more elements of which at least one is a metal, and where the resultant material has metallic properties). It is based on nickel (65-70%) and copper (20-29%) and also contains iron and manganese (5%) and other compounds.

Monel was discovered by Robert Crooks Stanley who worked for the International Nickel Company (INCO) in 1901. The new alloy was named in honor of the president of the company,

Monel is a trademark of Special Metals Corporation

There are different commercial types of Monel such as Alloy 400, Alloy 401, Alloy R-405, Alloy 450, Alloy K-500, Monel 404 Copper-Nickel Alloy. Standard product forms are round, hexagon, flats, forging stock, pipe, tube, plate, sheet, strip, and wire.

Market applications

Monel is used for marine engineering, chemical and hydrocarbon processing equipment, valves, pumps, shafts, fittings, fasteners, and heat exchangers. It is also used as part of metal instruments and frames of eyeglasses.

In 1950's Monel started to be replaced by stainless steel which could produce the same forms at a lower cost (due to use of less nickel).

Material notes

Typical Monel 400 has the following composition in weight (%).

C Max 0.3
Cu 28 - 34
Fe Max 2.5
Mn Max 2
Ni Min 63
S Max 0.024
Si Max 0.5