N02205 is commercially pure (99.0% minimum, typically ~99.7%) wrought nickel, similar to Nickel 200 but with compositional adjustments (notably controlled additions of magnesium and titanium) to enhance its performance in electrical and electronic applications. This datasheet presents the material within the American (ASTM / SAE-AMS / UNS) standard system.
It combines the corrosion resistance and high thermal/electrical conductivity of pure nickel with magnetostrictive properties and a low, controlled level of residual elements, making it well suited to demanding electronic and electrical service. Like the other 200-series nickels it is ferromagnetic and offers excellent resistance to caustic alkalies and chloride stress-corrosion cracking.
Typical applications are concentrated in electronics and electrical hardware: anodes and grids of electronic valves/tubes, magnetostrictive transducers, lead and lead-in wires, transistor housings, battery cases, and similar components where high purity, conductivity and consistent magnetic behaviour are required. It is produced by adjusting the Nickel 200 chemistry; the controlled magnesium and titanium improve hot-working and electronic performance.
Typical values, annealed condition (commercially pure nickel).
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 8.89 | g/cm³ |
| Melting range | 1435–1446 | °C |
| Young's modulus (20 °C) | 207 | GPa |
| Specific heat capacity (20 °C) | 456 | J/kg·K |
| Thermal conductivity (20 °C) | ~71 | W/m·K |
| Electrical resistivity (20 °C) | ~0.10 | µΩ·m |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion (20–100 °C) | 13.3 | µm/m·°C |
| Magnetic response | Ferromagnetic | — |
| Purity | ≥99.0 (typ. 99.7) | % Ni |
Limiting composition per ASTM F1 / AMS 5555 (UNS N02205).
| Element | Symbol | Min % | Max % | Role / Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel (+ Cobalt) | Ni | 99.0 | — | Commercially pure base (typically ~99.7%) |
| Carbon | C | — | 0.15 | Controlled |
| Manganese | Mn | — | 0.35 | Deoxidiser |
| Iron | Fe | — | 0.20 | Residual (lower than Nickel 200) |
| Magnesium | Mg | 0.01 | 0.08 | Controlled addition for electronic performance |
| Titanium | Ti | — | 0.05 | Controlled addition |
| Sulphur | S | — | 0.008 | Residual impurity |
| Silicon | Si | — | 0.15 | Deoxidiser |
| Copper | Cu | — | 0.15 | Residual |
Note: Nickel 205 is Nickel 200 chemistry adjusted (notably controlled Mg and Ti) for electrical/electronic use.
Typical room-temperature properties, annealed condition.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ultimate tensile strength | ~345–540 MPa | Annealed (commercially pure Ni) |
| 0.2% proof strength (yield) | ~80–200 MPa | Annealed |
| Elongation at break | ~40–50 % | Annealed |
| Hardness | ~45–65 HRB | Annealed |
The material is highly ductile and work-hardens with cold work. It is not age-hardenable. Values are typical; confirm against the mill test certificate for each delivery.
| Environment | Performance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Caustic soda (NaOH) | Outstanding | Like other 200-series nickels |
| Alkaline solutions | Excellent | High nickel content |
| Neutral / reducing salt solutions | Very Good | Non-oxidising salts |
| Chloride stress-corrosion cracking | Outstanding | High nickel content |
| Distilled / natural waters | Excellent | Low corrosion |
| Oxidising acids / oxidising salts | Poor | Avoid (as with all pure nickel) |
Commercially pure nickel; strengthened only by cold work (not age-hardenable). Heat treatment is for annealing.
Anneal Temperature: ~871 °C (1600 °F) Purpose: softening and recrystallisation after cold work.
Hot-working caution: avoid hot working in the range ~677–1204 °C without proper control per manufacturer guidance; the material is readily cold-worked.
Readily joined by welding, brazing and soldering, and well suited to the fine joining operations common in electronic assembly. The material must be clean and free of embrittling contaminants (sulphur, lead).
| Welding Process | Applicability | Filler / Consumable |
|---|---|---|
| GTAW / TIG · resistance | Excellent | AWS A5.14 ERNi-1 (matching nickel filler) |
| Brazing / soldering | Suitable (electronic assembly) | Appropriate brazing/solder alloys |
Clean joints thoroughly; avoid sulphur-bearing marking materials and lubricants.
Machining Guidelines
| Parameter | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Tooling | Machinable with high-speed steel tools |
| Work hardening | Work-hardens; sharp tooling, rigid setup |
| Condition | Machine cold-drawn or annealed |
Forming Processes
| Process | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cold forming | Readily cold-worked; suited to fine electronic forms, wire, foil |
| Hot working | Avoid the ~677–1204 °C range without proper control |
| Annealing | ~871 °C after cold work |
| Industry | Typical Components | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | Anodes and grids of electronic valves/tubes | High purity + consistent magnetic behaviour |
| Electronics | Magnetostrictive transducers | Magnetostrictive properties |
| Electrical | Lead wires, lead-in wires, conductive hardware | High conductivity |
| Electronics | Transistor housings, battery cases | Purity + formability |
| Precision | Components needing controlled residuals | Low/controlled impurity levels |
| Product Form | Standard | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet, strip and wire | ASTM F1 / F2 / F3 / F9 | SAE AMS 5555 |
| Bar and rod | ASTM F-series | MIL-N-46025 |
| Foil | Special Metals proprietary | — |
| Welding consumables | AWS A5.14 ERNi-1 (matching) | — |
Commercially pure wrought nickel for electronic use. UNS N02205; SAE AMS 5555; ASTM F1–F9; MIL-N-46025.
| UNS | Ni % | Key | Type | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N02205 | ≥99.0 | Mg/Ti adj. | Electronic | Electronic/electrical (valves, transducers, leads) |
| N02200 | ≥99.0 | C ≤0.15 | Standard | Caustic/alkali to 315°C; general |
| N02201 | ≥99.0 | C ≤0.02 | Low-carbon | Caustic above 315°C |
| N02270 | ≥99.97 | High purity | Ultra-pure | Hydrogen thyratrons; precious-metal substrate |
| N02211 | ≥93.7 | Mn 4.75 | Mn-bearing | Spark-plug electrodes; lead wires |




