Hastelloy N (UNS N10003) – Molten Salt Corrosion-Resistant Alloy Supplier of Round Bars, Tubes & Plates | Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group
Date: 2026年7月22日 Categories: News Views: 270
By Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group Co., Ltd. | ISO 9001:2015 Certified | Est. 2012 | Shanghai, China
Contact: sales@hangboalloy.com | hangbo@nickel-alloy.com | WhatsApp: +86 13611656360
Quick Answer: What Is Hastelloy N?
Hastelloy N (UNS N10003) is a nickel-molybdenum-chromium alloy developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) specifically for molten fluoride salt environments at temperatures up to 704°C (1300°F). Its defining feature is exceptional resistance to corrosion by high-temperature fluoride salts — including FLiBe (LiF-BeF₂) and FLiNaK (LiF-NaF-KF) — the primary coolants and fuel carriers in molten salt reactor (MSR) designs. With 15–18% molybdenum providing a highly noble electrochemical potential in fluoride media and ultra-low boron (≤0.01%) to minimize helium embrittlement under neutron irradiation, Hastelloy N remains the reference structural alloy for Gen IV MSR programs worldwide. Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group supplies Hastelloy N as round bars, seamless tubes, and plates with ASTM B434/B573 certification.
Industry Pain Point: MSR developers and fluoride-salt heat transfer system engineers face a binary choice — either use Hastelloy N with a 60-year pedigree of molten-salt compatibility data, or gamble qualification time and budget on an unproven alloy. The ORNL Molten Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE, 1965–1969) validated Hastelloy N for 4+ years of continuous FLiBe exposure at 650°C with negligible corrosion — a dataset no competing alloy possesses.
Key Properties at a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| UNS Number | N10003 |
| Alloy Family | Ni-Mo-Cr (Hastelloy) |
| Density | 8.86 g/cm³ (0.320 lb/in³) |
| Melting Range | 1300–1400°C (2370–2550°F) |
| Max Continuous Service Temp. | ~704°C (1300°F) in air; higher in protective salt/inert environments |
| Tensile Strength (RT, Annealed) | ≥ 690 MPa (100 ksi) |
| Yield Strength 0.2% (RT, Annealed) | ≥ 280 MPa (41 ksi) |
| Elongation (RT) | ≥ 40% |
| Thermal Conductivity (100°C) | ~12 W/m·K |
| Key Standards | ASTM B434, B573, B619, B622, B564 |
Product Overview
Hastelloy N occupies a singular position in the high-temperature alloy landscape: it is the only commercially available wrought nickel alloy with a multi-decade pedigree of irradiation and corrosion data in molten fluoride salts. The ORNL MSRE operated from 1965 to 1969 with Hastelloy N as the primary structural material for the reactor vessel, piping, heat exchanger, and pump bowl, accumulating approximately 13,000 hours of full-power operation with fuel salt temperatures to 650°C. Post-operation examination revealed uniform corrosion rates below 25 μm/year — a performance threshold that remains the benchmark for MSR material qualification six decades later.
The alloy's metallurgical logic is straightforward and deliberate:
- 15–18% Molybdenum — provides the electrochemical nobility required for fluoride salt compatibility. In molten fluorides, corrosion proceeds via dissolution of the least-noble alloying element (chromium). The high molybdenum content shifts the alloy's electrochemical potential positive relative to the Cr²⁺/Cr redox couple, suppressing chromium dissolution to near-zero rates.
- 6–8% Chromium — the minimum level required to maintain a protective oxide scale for air-side oxidation resistance up to 704°C. Higher chromium would increase the driving force for fluoride-salt corrosion.
- Ultra-low Boron (≤0.01%) — critical for nuclear service. Natural boron has a high thermal-neutron capture cross-section (~760 barns for ¹⁰B) and generates helium via (n,α) transmutation, which causes grain-boundary embrittlement under irradiation. The low boron specification is a nuclear-grade requirement absent from all other Hastelloy grades.
- Controlled Carbon (0.04–0.08%) — forms discrete M₆C carbides at grain boundaries that provide creep strength without the continuous carbide networks that cause intergranular corrosion or irradiation-assisted stress-corrosion cracking (IASCC).
Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group supplies Hastelloy N in bar, tube, plate, and forging forms, with full chemical traceability including the nuclear-critical boron specification.
Executive Standards
| Product Form | ASTM | ASME | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plate, Sheet & Strip | ASTM B434 | ASME SB-434 | Primary product form for MSR vessel fabrication |
| Bar & Rod | ASTM B573 | ASME SB-573 | Forged or hot-rolled |
| Seamless Pipe & Tube | ASTM B622 | ASME SB-622 | Nuclear-grade NDE available |
| Welded Pipe | ASTM B619 | ASME SB-619 | Solution-annealed after welding |
| Forgings | ASTM B564 / B573 | ASME SB-564 | Rings, flanges, tube sheets |
| Filler Metal | AWS A5.14 ERNiMo-2 | — | Matching composition for GTAW/GMAW |
Chemical Composition (wt.% per ASTM B434 – 100% OES + ICP-MS Verified)
| Element | Min | Max | Role in Hastelloy N |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel (Ni) | Balance | — | Austenitic matrix; provides radiation tolerance (FCC structure resists void swelling) |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 15.0 | 18.0 | Primary performer — shifts electrochemical potential noble relative to Cr²⁺/Cr, suppressing fluoride-salt corrosion |
| Chromium (Cr) | 6.0 | 8.0 | Minimum air-side oxidation resistance to 704°C; deliberately low to avoid driving fluoride attack |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 5.0 | Incidental from melting charge; kept low to maintain Mo effect |
| Silicon (Si) | — | 1.0 | Residual deoxidizer; ≤1.0 for weldability — Si reacts with fluoride salts to form volatile SiF₄ above 400°C, so lower is better |
| Manganese (Mn) | — | 0.80 | Deoxidizer; minor austenite stabilizer |
| Carbon (C) | 0.04 | 0.08 | Forms discrete M₆C carbides for creep strength; the narrow range ensures carbide morphology control |
| Boron (B) | — | 0.010 | Nuclear-grade spec — minimizes ¹⁰B (n,α) → ⁷Li transmutation helium embrittlement |
| Cobalt (Co) | — | 0.20 | Low Co reduces ⁶⁰Co activation product; important for maintainability of MSR components |
| Tungsten (W) | — | 0.50 | Trace from Mo source; not deliberately added |
| Copper (Cu) | — | 0.35 | Impurity; Cu can form low-melting phases with salt impurities |
| Aluminum + Titanium | — | 0.50 | Combined limit prevents age-hardening precipitates that would complicate irradiation response |
| Sulfur (S) | — | 0.020 | Preserves hot workability and weldability |
| Phosphorus (P) | — | 0.015 | Impurity control |
Critical specification note: the boron limit (≤0.010% / 100 ppm) is the defining nuclear-grade requirement that differentiates Hastelloy N from all commercial Hastelloy grades. Standard Hastelloy grades allow boron up to ~0.010% as a residual, but Hastelloy N must have a certified trace-boron analysis — typically achieved only through VIM (Vacuum Induction Melting) with carefully selected elemental charge materials.
Mechanical & Physical Properties
Room-Temperature Mechanical Properties (Solution-Annealed, 1177°C)
| Property | Value | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (Rm) | ≥ 690 MPa (≥ 100 ksi) | ASTM B434/B573 |
| Yield Strength 0.2% (Rp0.2) | ≥ 280 MPa (≥ 41 ksi) | ASTM B434/B573 |
| Elongation (A5, 50 mm) | ≥ 40% | ASTM B434/B573 |
| Hardness | 180–220 HBW (typical) | — |
| Young's Modulus (20°C) | 218 GPa (31.6 × 10³ ksi) | — |
| Shear Modulus | 84 GPa | — |
| Poisson's Ratio | 0.31 | — |
Elevated-Temperature Tensile Properties (Typical, Solution-Annealed)
| Temperature | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Elongation (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20°C (68°F) | 730 | 310 | 45 |
| 400°C (752°F) | 580 | 220 | 44 |
| 500°C (932°F) | 540 | 200 | 42 |
| 650°C (1202°F) | 450 | 180 | 40 |
| 704°C (1300°F) | 380 | 160 | 42 |
Creep Rupture Properties (Typical, Solution-Annealed)
| Temperature | Stress for 1,000 h Rupture | Stress for 10,000 h Rupture | Stress for 100,000 h Rupture |
|---|---|---|---|
| 650°C (1202°F) | ~160 MPa | ~110 MPa | ~70 MPa |
| 704°C (1300°F) | ~90 MPa | ~55 MPa | ~30 MPa |
Physical Properties
| Property | at 20°C | at 100°C | at 400°C | at 600°C | at 704°C | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 8.86 | — | — | — | — | g/cm³ |
| Thermal Conductivity | 11.5 | 12.0 | 17.5 | 21.0 | 22.5 | W/m·K |
| Specific Heat | 420 | 430 | 480 | 520 | 540 | J/kg·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 1.38 | 1.39 | 1.42 | 1.44 | 1.45 | μΩ·m |
| Mean Thermal Expansion (20°C–T) | — | 11.5 | 13.0 | 13.8 | 14.1 | μm/m·°C |
Heat Treatment
Solution Annealing — The Only Authorized Treatment
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 1177 ± 14°C (2150 ± 25°F) — narrower than typical Hastelloy grades |
| Soak Time | Minimum 1 hour; add 30 minutes per 25 mm section thickness above 25 mm |
| Cooling Method | Rapid air cool or water quench. Air cool is standard for sections ≤ 25 mm. |
| Atmosphere | Air, inert gas, or vacuum. No hydrogen requirement. |
Metallurgical rationale: The 1177°C temperature is precisely calibrated to dissolve all M₆C carbides formed during hot working while avoiding (a) excessive grain growth that would reduce tensile strength, and (b) incipient melting of any molybdenum-rich micro-segregated regions. The narrow ±14°C tolerance — tighter than the ±25°C typical for Hastelloy C-276 or X — reflects the alloy's sensitivity to carbide morphology: under-annealing leaves undissolved carbides that reduce ductility; over-annealing coarsens the M₆C distribution and reduces creep strength.
Post-weld heat treatment: Generally not required for Hastelloy N when welded with ERNiMo-2 matching filler and appropriate heat input control (≤1.5 kJ/mm). For nuclear applications requiring full homogenization of the weld zone to match base-metal mechanical properties, re-solution-anneal at 1177°C.
No age hardening: Hastelloy N is a solid-solution and carbide-strengthened alloy. It does not respond to precipitation hardening. Attempting an aging treatment in the 600–900°C range will cause progressive M₆C coarsening without strengthening benefit and should be avoided.
Production Process
1. Round Bars & Forgings
- Melting: VIM (Vacuum Induction Melting) is mandatory for nuclear-grade Hastelloy N to meet the boron ≤0.010% specification. Selected virgin charge materials with certified low-boron content. ESR (Electroslag Remelting) is applied for bars ≥ Ø100 mm to ensure micro-cleanliness and reduce sulfur to ≤0.005%.
- Hot Forging / Rolling: Billet heated to 1150–1200°C. Forged or hot-rolled with minimum reduction ratio 4:1. Finishing temperature maintained above 950°C. The high molybdenum content increases hot strength — expect ~20% higher forging press tonnage than Inconel 600.
- Solution Annealing: 1177°C, rapid air cool or water quench. Digital furnace chart verified with ±5°C accuracy. Boron content reported on every mill certificate.
- Straightening, UT & Finishing: Multi-roll straightening. 100% ultrasonic testing per ASTM B573. PMI with portable OES — molybdenum (15–18%) and chromium (6–8%) are the rapid accept/reject criteria. Macro-etch inspection for center soundness.
2. Seamless Tubes & Pipes
- Hollow Preparation: Hot-extruded from annealed billet at 1150–1200°C, or hot-pierced for smaller diameters.
- Cold Pilgering / Drawing: Multi-pass cold reduction (typically 30–50% total) with intermediate solution anneals (1177°C, rapid air cool) between passes.
- Final Annealing: 1177°C, rapid air cool or bright anneal in vacuum/inert atmosphere for surface-sensitive applications.
- Testing: 100% hydrostatic or eddy current testing per ASTM E426. Destructive tensile testing per heat. Microstructural examination for M₆C carbide morphology — discrete globular required; continuous grain-boundary films cause rejection. Dimensional verification with calibrated instruments.
3. Plates, Sheets & Strips
- Hot Rolling: Slab heated to 1150–1200°C with finishing temperature ≥ 950°C. Multi-pass rolling with intermediate reheats as needed.
- Solution Annealing: 1177°C, rapid air cool. For thin-gauge sheet (≤ 3 mm), continuous bright anneal in controlled atmosphere preserves surface.
- Leveling & Cutting: Precision leveling. Plasma, abrasive waterjet, or laser cutting to final dimensions.
- Surface & NDE: Pickled and passivated if oxidized. 100% visual inspection. Ultrasonic testing per ASTM B434 on request. PMI on every finished piece.
Industry Applications
| Industry | Typical Component | Why Hastelloy N? |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Nuclear — MSR | Reactor vessel, primary piping, primary heat exchanger, fuel salt pump bowls, drain tanks | Only alloy with 60-year pedigree of molten fluoride salt compatibility + irradiation data from ORNL MSRE |
| Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing | Fluoride volatility process equipment, dissolvers, off-gas scrubbers | Resists HF + F₂ + fluoride salt combinations at 500–650°C |
| Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) | Molten salt thermal storage heat exchangers (chloride/fluoride salt designs) | Fluoride salt compatibility eliminates the nitrate salt temperature ceiling (nitrates decompose > 565°C) |
| Chemical — Fluorine & HF Production | Fluorine electrolysis cells, anhydrous HF handling equipment | Resists fluorine gas and HF at elevated temperatures where most alloys fail through fluoride scale formation |
| High-Temperature Chemical Processing | Fluorination reactors, halogen-exchange columns | Broad-spectrum resistance to halogen-containing process streams at 400–700°C |
| Research — Nuclear Materials Testing | Irradiation capsules, in-pile instrumentation, salt loops | Low cobalt (≤0.2%) minimizes ⁶⁰Co activation; certified boron analysis supports neutronics modeling |
Quality Assurance: 7-Stage Zero-Defect Inspection
- Raw Material Verification & Boron Screening: Every incoming nickel, molybdenum, and chromium charge material is analyzed by ICP-MS for boron content. Only materials with certified boron ≤ 15 ppm are accepted. This pre-melt screening is the most critical quality gate — a single contaminated nickel charge can elevate the final melt boron above 100 ppm, disqualifying the heat for nuclear service.
- VIM Melt Chemistry: In-process chemistry sampling. Molybdenum verified to ±0.3% of target by XRF/OES. Boron verified by ICP-OES to ±2 ppm detection limit. Carbon verified by combustion analysis (ASTM E1019). Heats failing any elemental window are fully scrapped — no blending, no dilution, no re-alloying.
- Carbide Morphology Assessment (Pre-Forging): As-cast sample examined metallographically for M₆C carbide distribution. Chinese-script (eutectic) carbide morphology is acceptable at this stage — it will be broken up during hot working. Continuous grain-boundary carbide films indicate excessive carbon and are cause for rejection before forging investment.
- Hot Working Surveillance: Infrared pyrometry on all hot-working operations with ±10°C accuracy. Reduction ratio verified ≥ 4:1 for each forging/rolling step. Processing charts archived per heat number.
- Solution Anneal Verification: Digital furnace chart with ±5°C accuracy. Rapid hardness check (HBW) on every annealed lot — hardness > 220 HBW triggers full metallographic re-examination for undissolved carbides.
- Destructive Mechanical Testing (Per Heat/Lot): Room-temperature tensile per ASTM E8. Elevated-temperature tensile at specified design temperature (typically 650°C or 704°C) on request. Creep rupture testing at design conditions available per customer specification. Boron re-verified on final product sample by ICP-MS.
- Documentation & Third-Party Release: EN 10204 Type 3.1 Mill Test Certificate with full chemistry (including B, Co, W, Cu trace), tensile results, hardness, and grain size. Third-party inspection by SGS, Bureau Veritas, TÜV Rheinland, or nuclear-specialized agencies (e.g., Bureau Veritas Nuclear) available on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is Hastelloy N used for?
Hastelloy N is used primarily for molten fluoride salt containment in molten salt reactors (MSR), fluoride-salt heat transfer loops, nuclear fuel reprocessing equipment handling fluorine and hydrogen fluoride, and high-temperature chemical reactors processing halogenated compounds. Its defining application is as the structural alloy for MSR primary circuits — reactor vessels, piping, heat exchangers, and pump components that must simultaneously resist fluoride salt corrosion at 650–704°C, tolerate neutron irradiation, and maintain mechanical integrity over multi-decade design lifetimes.
Q2: What is the density of Hastelloy N?
8.86 g/cm³ (0.320 lb/in³) at 20°C. This is higher than most nickel-based alloys due to the 15–18% molybdenum content (Mo density = 10.28 g/cm³). By comparison, Inconel 625 (9% Mo) has a density of 8.44 g/cm³, and Hastelloy C-276 (16% Mo) is 8.89 g/cm³. Weight estimation: Mass (kg) = 8.86 × Volume (cm³) ÷ 1000.
Q3: What is the maximum service temperature of Hastelloy N?
Approximately 704°C (1300°F) for continuous service in air. The limiting factor is air-side oxidation — chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃), the protective scale, begins to thin above 700°C due to the modest chromium content (6–8%). In inert atmospheres or under molten fluoride salt cover (where the salt provides a reducing environment), Hastelloy N can operate to approximately 850°C, at which point creep strength becomes the limiting design criterion.
Q4: What is the melting point of Hastelloy N?
The melting range is 1300–1400°C (2370–2550°F). This broad 100°C melting range reflects the complex multi-component alloy system and is typical of high-molybdenum nickel alloys. The solidus temperature (1300°C) is lower than standard Hastelloy C-276 (1325–1370°C) due to the higher molybdenum content depressing the Ni-Mo eutectic point.
Q5: What is the tensile strength of Hastelloy N?
In the solution-annealed condition, minimum tensile strength is ≥ 690 MPa (≥ 100 ksi) per ASTM B434. Typical values range 700–760 MPa. At the maximum rated service temperature (704°C), tensile strength drops to approximately 380 MPa, with the dominant high-temperature deformation mechanism shifting from dislocation glide to diffusion-assisted creep.
Q6: What is the yield strength of Hastelloy N?
Minimum 0.2% offset yield strength is ≥ 280 MPa (≥ 41 ksi) at room temperature. The yield-to-tensile ratio is approximately 0.40–0.42, comparable to other solid-solution-strengthened nickel alloys. At 650°C — the nominal MSR fuel salt operating temperature — yield strength is approximately 180 MPa, providing adequate margin for primary circuit pressure-retaining components designed to ASME Section III Division 5 rules.
Q7: What is the elongation of Hastelloy N?
Minimum elongation (A5) is ≥ 40% at room temperature, with typical values of 42–50%. High ductility is maintained to elevated temperatures — ~40% at 650°C and ~42% at 704°C — owing to the stable FCC austenitic matrix. This sustained hot ductility is critical for accommodating thermal-expansion strains in MSR primary circuits where the salt temperature cycles between 500°C (cold leg) and 700°C (hot leg).
Q8: What are the full mechanical properties of Hastelloy N?
Solution-annealed (1177°C/AC) minimum properties: tensile strength ≥ 690 MPa (100 ksi), yield strength ≥ 280 MPa (41 ksi), elongation ≥ 40%, hardness 180–220 HBW. At 650°C: tensile ~450 MPa, yield ~180 MPa, elongation ~40%. Creep rupture at 650°C: ~110 MPa for 10,000 h, ~70 MPa for 100,000 h. A unique property for nuclear design is the post-irradiation ductility: ORNL MSRE data confirmed that Hastelloy N retained ≥ 20% elongation at room temperature after neutron fluences of ~10²¹ n/cm² (E > 0.1 MeV) at 650°C — sufficient to prevent brittle fracture during reactor shutdown and refueling.
Q9: What heat treatment does Hastelloy N require?
Solution annealing at 1177 ± 14°C (2150 ± 25°F) followed by rapid air cooling or water quenching. Soak time: minimum 1 hour for sections ≤ 25 mm; add 30 min per 25 mm above that. This is the only authorized heat treatment. No aging or precipitation hardening is applicable. The narrow temperature tolerance (±14°C) is deliberate — under-annealing below 1163°C leaves undissolved M₆C carbides that reduce ductility; over-annealing above 1191°C causes excessive grain growth and may approach incipient melting of Mo-rich regions.
Q10: What is the solution annealing temperature for Hastelloy N?
1177°C (2150°F), with a tolerance of ±14°C (±25°F). This temperature is approximately 100–150°C higher than the solution annealing temperature for Hastelloy C-276 (1121°C / 2050°F) and reflects the higher molybdenum content (16.5% nominal vs. 16% for C-276), which stabilizes M₆C carbides to higher temperatures. Processing shops accustomed to C-276 or X must recalibrate furnace setpoints accordingly.
Q11: How does Hastelloy N compare to Hastelloy X?
| Property | Hastelloy N (N10003) | Hastelloy X (N06002) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mo Content | 15–18% | 8–10% | N — higher Mo = better fluoride salt resistance |
| Cr Content | 6–8% | 20.5–23% | X — higher Cr = superior air oxidation resistance |
| Max Air Service Temp | ~704°C | ~1100°C | X — decisive for combustion/oxidation applications |
| Fluoride Salt Corrosion | Excellent (reference alloy) | Poor — high Cr drives salt attack | N — the defining differentiator |
| Boron Control | ≤0.010% (nuclear grade) | ~0.005% (typical residual) | N — certified, not just typical |
| Irradiation Data | Extensive (ORNL MSRE) | Limited | N — only alloy with MSR irradiation pedigree |
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 690 MPa | ≥ 655 MPa | N — marginally higher |
Decision rule: For molten fluoride salt service, Hastelloy N is the only qualified choice. For high-temperature air/combustion applications (gas turbines, furnace hardware), Hastelloy X is superior. These are complementary, not competing, alloys.
Q12: What is the price of Hastelloy N per kg?
Hastelloy N pricing is heavily specification-dependent. Standard commercial-grade (non-nuclear) material ranges approximately \$50–80/kg EXW for round bars and plates. Nuclear-grade material with certified boron ≤0.010%, full ICP-MS traceability, and additional QA documentation (NQA-1 / ASME Section III N-type certificate holder qualification) commands a premium of 1.5–2.5× over the commercial baseline, representing the cost of VIM-only melting, elemental boron certification, and the limited number of qualified melt sources. Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group provides specification-dependent quotations — email sales@hangboalloy.com with your required quality level (commercial or nuclear) and product dimensions for a firm offer within 2 business hours.
Q13: Is Hastelloy N weldable?
Yes, using GTAW (TIG) and GMAW (MIG) processes with matching filler metal ERNiMo-2 (AWS A5.14). Key parameters: preheat not required; interpass temperature ≤ 175°C (350°F); heat input 0.5–1.5 kJ/mm; shielding gas pure argon or Ar + He for improved penetration on thick sections. Post-weld solution annealing is recommended for nuclear-grade fabrications to homogenize the weld microstructure and restore the baseline irradiation response. The weld metal solidifies as a single-phase austenite with fine M₆C carbides; no post-weld cracking susceptibility has been reported when correct interpass control is maintained.
Q14: What product forms does Shanghai Hangbo supply for Hastelloy N?
We supply Hastelloy N in round bars (Ø6–250 mm, hot-rolled or forged, solution-annealed and peeled), seamless tubes (OD 10–150 mm, wall 2–25 mm, per ASTM B622), plates (3–50 mm thickness, per ASTM B434), forgings (rings, flanges, tube sheets per ASTM B564/B573), and welded pipes (OD up to 610 mm). ERNiMo-2 welding wire available on request. For MSR prototype programs, we can coordinate with qualified machine shops to deliver machined test coupons, corrosion-test specimens, and sub-scale components.
Q15: Does Shanghai Hangbo ship Hastelloy N internationally?
Yes. We export to 40+ countries with terms FOB Shanghai, CIF, CFR, and DAP. Nuclear-grade shipments include additional export control documentation as required by the recipient country's nuclear regulatory framework. Standard destinations for Hastelloy N include USA (DOE national laboratories, MSR developers), UK, France (CEA / nuclear research), Netherlands, South Korea, and Japan. Stock items ship within 2–4 weeks; VIM mill-order production is 10–14 weeks for commercial grade, 16–20 weeks for nuclear grade with full qualification documentation.
Q16: Why is boron control so critical for Hastelloy N?
Natural boron contains approximately 20% ¹⁰B, which has an extremely high thermal-neutron capture cross-section of ~3,840 barns. The (n,α) transmutation reaction — ¹⁰B + n → ⁷Li + ⁴He — generates helium atoms that migrate to grain boundaries, coalesce into bubbles, and cause helium embrittlement: a catastrophic loss of grain-boundary cohesion leading to intergranular fracture at stresses far below the unirradiated yield strength. At 100 ppm boron in the alloy, a neutron fluence of ~10²¹ n/cm² generates approximately 0.5 atomic ppm of helium — sufficient to reduce room-temperature ductility from 40% to below 5%. The ≤0.010% specification represents a practical minimum for commercial melt practice (VIM using charge materials with certified low-boron content) and limits end-of-life helium concentration to ~0.05 appm, preserving adequate post-irradiation ductility for safe reactor shutdown. This is why Hastelloy N is the only Hastelloy grade with a certified boron maximum — it is a nuclear requirement, not a corrosion requirement.
Contact Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group Co., Ltd. (宝昭实业（上海）有限公司) |
| Website | www.nickel-alloy.com |
| Email (Sales) | sales@hangboalloy.com |
| Email (Technical) | hangbo@nickel-alloy.com |
| +86 13611656360 | |
| Skype | live:specialalloy001 |
| Address | Room 1508, No. 288 Shiyi Road, Baoshan District, Shanghai 200940, China |
| ISO Certification | ISO 9001:2015 — View certificate on request |
| Response Time | ≤ 10 minutes during business hours (Mon–Fri, 08:00–18:00 GMT+8) |
Your Next Step
Email sales@hangboalloy.com with your Hastelloy N requirements:
- Quality level: Commercial or nuclear-grade (≤0.010% B certified)
- Product form: Bar / Tube / Plate / Forging / Welded Pipe
- Dimensions: OD × wall / thickness × width × length, in mm or inches
- Delivery destination: Full address + preferred incoterm (FOB / CIF / DAP)
- Testing requirements: Room-temperature tensile / elevated-temperature tensile (specify temperature) / creep rupture / ICP-MS boron certification / NDE scope
For MSR programs, we can provide technical data packages including ORNL MSRE reference data summaries to support your material qualification submission.
