Monel is a group of nickel-based alloys primarily alloyed with copper, produced under a trademark held by Special Metals Incorporated. The two most widely used Monel grades are Monel 400 and Monel K-500.
Nickel and copper alloy readily into each other, allowing a range of grades. As copper costs significantly less than nickel, adding copper can reduce the cost of a nickel-based alloy with limited impact on its mechanical properties.
Monel 400 was invented in 1901 by the International Nickel Company (Inco). It offers very good mechanical properties at both low and high temperatures, and its excellent resistance to corrosion in seawater and most acids led to wide use in chemical processing and marine applications.
Monel K-500 was developed later to improve on the strength of Monel 400. Small additions of titanium and aluminium produce a precipitation-strengthening effect after heat treatment. With around twice the yield strength of Monel 400, Monel K-500 is widely used in load-bearing applications, where the extra strength can reduce component thickness, size, weight and cost.
We have stocked Alloy K-500 for many years; in the past we melted and cast ingots that could be forged and rolled into bar. Our current stock range is round bar from 5/8"-10" diameter (15.87-254mm).