5 Things You Should Know About Monel®
In the engineering sphere, you’re used to working with various forms of metal,
especially machined valves and fittings.
These types include Monel®, which is the name given to nickel-based alloys
that contain mostly nickel and copper, along with trace amount of carbon, iron,
manganese, and silicon.
Today, we’re diving into this material and sharing five facts you might not
know about it. Ready to learn more? Let’s get started.
1. Monel® is More Versatile Than You Thought
With its trademark high-corrosion resistance and tensile strength, Monel® can
fit a variety of applications and use cases. It’s also easy to braze, weld and
solder.
As such, manufacturers can mold it into the following forms, among others:
- Castings
- Forgings
- Wires
- Sheets
- Rods
- Tubes
- Plates
- Nuts
- Bolts
- Rivets
- Nails
- Screws
- Tube fittings
- Fasteners
- Valves
While Monel®400 is one of the most common types, you can also find Monel®
401, 405, 450, K-500, and related models. All will display the trademark of
Special Metals Corporation.
2. It’s Saltwater-Friendly
Monel® is resistant to deterioration, rust, and corrosion. This makes it ideal for
equipment parts that are present in chemical and marine environments. Some
main market applications in this area include:
- Piping systems
- Pump shafts
- Trolling wire
- Seawater valves & environments
- Strainer baskets
- Chemical and hydrocarbon processing equipment
Due to its high corrosion resistance to acids, oxygen and alkalis, you'll find
Monel® in chemical plant equipment. It also retains its strength at very high
temperatures, leading to widespread use in the aerospace industry.
3. It Helps Make Music
Monel® first entered the music industry in 1962, when a flat ribbon of Monel®
400 was used in electric bass strings.
Now, you can also find it in the valve pistons or rotors of some of the finest-
quality instruments in the world, including tubas, trumpets and French horns.
4. The Patent Dates Back to 1905
In 1905, metallurgist Robert Crooks Stanley created the metal. He patented it
through the company he worked for, the International Nickel Company
(INCO).
He named it Monel® after the company’s then-director, a role that he would
assume years later.
5. It Was Once a Household Name
That steel sink in your kitchen would have been a Monel® one a few decades
ago!
One of the first uses of Monel® was as a roofing material for Pennsylvania
Station in New York City in 1908. Then, from the 1920s to the 1940s, it
became one of the most common household materials on the market, used to
create sinks, appliances, and even countertops.
When more affordable stainless steel entered the industry in the 1950s,
interior design attention often diverted away from Monel®. Today, savvy
shoppers can still find vintage originals for their retro kitchens!
How Will You Use Monel®?
Monel® is a powerful player in the engineering space, heralded for its strength
and durability. Whether you’re looking for a heat exchanger, wind instrument,
piping system water tank, or any other resource, it’s a go-to resource and
industry mainstay.
Looking for quality machined valves and fittings to help tie your systems
together? That’s where we come in.
We offer an array of products in our catalog, specially formatted to meet your
needs. Contact us today to learn more or get a quote!