UNS N05500 | DIN 2.4375 | ASTM B564 | Precipitation-Hardened | 862 MPa UTS | Seawater & Marine Service
Monel K-500 (UNS N05500) flanges — age-hardened, ASTM B564
Monel K-500 flanges — exported to 96 countries worldwide
Monel K-500 (UNS N05500, DIN 2.4375) is a precipitation-hardened nickel-copper alloy that combines the outstanding corrosion resistance of Monel 400 with significantly enhanced mechanical strength. By adding 2.3–3.15% aluminium and 0.35–0.85% titanium to the nickel-copper matrix, the alloy can be age-hardened to develop a fine dispersion of Ni₃(Al,Ti) γ'-precipitates, raising tensile strength to a minimum of 862 MPa — two to three times that of standard Monel 400 in the annealed condition.
Monel K-500 flanges are widely specified in offshore oil and gas, marine engineering, chemical processing, and seawater handling wherever both high mechanical strength and excellent corrosion resistance are simultaneously required. Unlike stainless steel grades, Monel K-500 is immune to chloride stress corrosion cracking and resists hydrofluoric acid, making it indispensable in alkylation units, sour gas systems, and subsea pipeline connections. Tesco Steel & Engineering manufactures UNS N05500 flanges per ASTM B564 / ASME SB564 in all standard types — WNRF, SORF, BLRF, SWRF, LJTF, THRF — from NPS ½ to 60, Class 150 to 2500.
The key differentiator between Monel K-500 and Monel 400 is the age-hardening (precipitation hardening) mechanism. The three-stage cycle transforms the alloy:
Important: Monel K-500 weld zones cannot be re-aged to full K-500 strength after welding. The heat-affected zone (HAZ) and weld metal remain in near-annealed condition. For load-bearing weld joints, specify a post-weld solution anneal + re-age cycle on the complete assembly before final machining.
| Element | UNS N05500 Range (%) | Role in the Alloy |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel + Cobalt | ≥ 63.0 (balance) | Primary matrix; confers corrosion resistance and ductility |
| Copper | 27.0 – 33.0 | Reduces corrosion in HF acid and seawater; improves machinability |
| Aluminium | 2.30 – 3.15 | Forms Ni₃Al precipitates during ageing; primary strengthening element |
| Titanium | 0.35 – 0.85 | Co-precipitates with Al; refines precipitate size; controls grain boundary carbides |
| Iron | 0.50 – 2.00 | Solid solution strengthening; residual from raw materials |
| Manganese | ≤ 1.50 | Deoxidiser during melting; minor solid solution effect |
| Carbon | ≤ 0.25 | Limited to prevent Ti/Al carbide formation that would deplete strengthening elements |
| Silicon | ≤ 0.50 | Deoxidiser; limited to prevent embrittlement |
| Sulphur | ≤ 0.010 | Strictly controlled to prevent hot cracking during welding |
| Property | K-500 Age-Hardened (UNS N05500) |
K-500 Annealed (UNS N05500) |
Monel 400 (UNS N04400) |
Inconel 625 (UNS N06625) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UTS (MPa) | ≥ 862 | 586 | 483 – 586 | 827 – 1034 |
| Yield Strength (MPa) | ≥ 655 | 241 | 172 – 345 | 414 – 758 |
| Elongation (%) | ≥ 20 | 35 | 35 – 45 | 30 – 40 |
| Hardness (HRC / HRB) | 25 – 33 HRC | 75 – 85 HRB | 70 – 85 HRB | 20 – 30 HRC |
| Density (g/cm³) | 8.44 | 8.44 | 8.83 | 8.44 |
| Max Service Temp (°C) | 480 | 480 | 480 | 980 |
| Magnetic? | Slightly (μr < 1.005) | Non-magnetic | Non-magnetic | Non-magnetic |
| ASTM Flange Standard | B564 / SB564 | B564 / SB564 | B564 / SB564 | B564 / SB564 |
| Type | Abbreviation | Description & Best Application |
|---|---|---|
| Weld Neck Raised Face | WNRF | Long tapered hub welded to pipe butt-end. Superior stress distribution; first choice for high-pressure, high-temperature, and vibrating service lines. |
| Slip-On Raised Face | SORF | Slides over pipe and double-fillet welded. Easier to align; lower material cost than WNRF; used in moderate-pressure systems up to Class 600. |
| Blind Raised Face | BLRF | Solid disc to permanently or temporarily close a pipe end or vessel nozzle. Used for line isolation, testing, and periodic access points. |
| Socket Weld Raised Face | SWRF | Pipe inserted into socket bore and fillet-welded. Suitable for small-bore piping NPS ½–2 in high-pressure Class 3000/6000 service. |
| Threaded (Screwed) Raised Face | THRF / SCRF | Internal threads engage directly onto threaded pipe end — no welding required. Used in low-pressure utility lines or where welding is prohibited. |
| Lap Joint (Van Stone) | LJTF | Used with a stub-end; flange rotates freely for bolt-hole alignment. Ideal for systems requiring frequent inspection, cleaning, or dismantling. |
| Ring Type Joint | RTJ | Machined groove accepts an octagonal or oval metallic ring gasket. Specified for Class 900, 1500, and 2500 high-pressure applications such as wellheads and subsea flanges. |
| Standard / System | Designation |
|---|---|
| UNS (Unified Numbering System) | N05500 |
| ASTM / ASME (Flanges) | B564 Grade N05500 / SB564 |
| DIN Material Number | 2.4375 |
| Trade Name | Monel® K-500 (Special Metals / Haynes International) |
| ISO | NiCu30Al / NW5500 |
| EN (European Norm) | NiCu30Al (equivalent) |
| BS (British Standard) | NA18 |
| AMS (Aerospace) | AMS 4676 (bar / forgings) |
| QQ (Mil-Spec) | QQ-N-286 (bar, rod, wire) |
| Filler Metal (GTAW/GMAW) | ERNiCu-7 (AWS A5.14) |
| Electrode (SMAW) | ENiCu-7 (AWS A5.11) |
| Monel K-500 Flange Dimensional Standards | |
|---|---|
| Size Range | NPS ½" to 60" (DN 15 to DN 1500) |
| Pressure Classes (ASME B16.5) | Class 150, 300, 600, 900, 1500, 2500 |
| Pressure Classes (ASME B16.47) | Class 75, 150, 300, 400, 600, 900 (Series A & B) |
| Bore Schedule | STD, XS, XXS, Sch 10–160 |
| PN Rating | PN 6, PN 10, PN 16, PN 25, PN 40, PN 64, PN 100, PN 160, PN 250, PN 320, PN 400 |
| Flange Standards | ASME B16.5, ASME B16.47, MSS SP-44, MSS SP-73, AWWA C207 |
| Material Standard | ASTM B564 / ASME SB564 (UNS N05500) |
| Face Finish | 125–250 μin Ra (AARH serrated), 63–125 μin (smooth), RTJ groove |
ASME B16.5 Class 150 Raised Face — Representative Dimensions (Monel K-500 WNRF)
| NPS | OD (mm) | Bolt Circle (mm) | No. of Bolts | Bolt Size | Raised Face Dia. (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½" | 89 | 60 | 4 | M12 | 35 |
| 1" | 108 | 79 | 4 | M16 | 51 |
| 1½" | 127 | 98 | 4 | M16 | 73 |
| 2" | 152 | 121 | 4 | M16 | 92 |
| 3" | 190 | 152 | 4 | M20 | 127 |
| 4" | 229 | 190 | 8 | M20 | 157 |
| 6" | 279 | 241 | 8 | M24 | 216 |
| 8" | 343 | 298 | 8 | M24 | 270 |
| 10" | 406 | 362 | 12 | M27 | 324 |
| 12" | 483 | 432 | 12 | M27 | 381 |
| 16" | 597 | 540 | 16 | M30 | 489 |
| 20" | 698 | 635 | 20 | M30 | 597 |
| 24" | 813 | 749 | 20 | M30 | 711 |
* All dimensions per ASME B16.5. For custom sizes, Class 900–2500, or ASME B16.47 flanges NPS 26–60, contact us for certified drawings.
| Parameter | Recommendation for UNS N05500 |
|---|---|
| Filler — GTAW / GMAW | ERNiCu-7 (AWS A5.14) — Monel Filler Metal 60 |
| Electrode — SMAW | ENiCu-7 (AWS A5.11) — Monel Electrode 190 |
| Preheat | Not required; base metal temperature min 16°C (avoid welding on cold or damp surfaces) |
| Interpass Temperature | ≤ 150°C — measure with contact pyrometer; excessive heat input increases hot-cracking risk |
| Shielding Gas | 100% Argon (GTAW); Ar / 1–2% CO₂ (GMAW) — no nitrogen-containing gases |
| Heat Input | Low to moderate (0.5–1.5 kJ/mm); high heat input causes weld solidification cracking |
| Post-Weld Heat Treatment | Not mandatory for Monel 400 joints; for K-500 critical joints — solution anneal 980°C + age 593°C/16 h for maximum strength |
| Weld Zone Hardness (K-500) | Weld metal and HAZ remain in annealed condition (~75–85 HRB); full K-500 strength only restored by post-weld re-aging |
| Joint to Dissimilar Metals | ERNiCu-7 used for Monel-to-carbon steel or Monel-to-stainless transitions; buttering may be required for heavily restrained joints |
Marine & Naval Engineering
Offshore platform piping, submarine seawater systems, pump shaft and propeller shaft flanges, ship hull fittings, and waterjet propulsion flanges — all benefit from K-500's seawater immunity and high strength.
Oil & Gas — Upstream & Downstream
Wellhead flanges, Christmas tree connections, subsea manifolds, sour gas (H₂S) service piping, and alkylation unit flanges where HF acid resistance is mandatory.
Chemical & Petrochemical Processing
HF alkylation units (petroleum refining), hydrochloric acid handling, caustic chlorine service, and chlorinated solvent processing where stainless steel fails by stress corrosion cracking.
Desalination & Water Treatment
Multi-stage flash (MSF) and reverse osmosis (RO) plant flanges in high-velocity seawater circuits where erosion-corrosion resistance is essential.
Nuclear & Defence
Naval nuclear propulsion piping flanges, submarine pressure hull penetrations, and MIL-spec components where non-sparking behaviour and corrosion resistance are specified together.
Pump & Valve Manufacturers
Pump casing flanges, valve body connections, and instrument flanges in corrosive fluid handling equipment, particularly for seawater lift pumps and marine fire-fighting systems.
Pulp & Paper Industry
Bleaching plant flanges and process piping in contact with chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) and chlorinated bleaching solutions, where 316L stainless steel has inadequate pitting resistance.
Cryogenic & LNG Applications
Monel K-500 retains excellent toughness and impact resistance down to cryogenic temperatures (−200°C), making it suitable for LNG loading arm flanges and cryogenic valve connections.
| Category | Standard | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Material (Forgings) | ASTM B564 / ASME SB564 | Nickel alloy forgings — UNS N05500 chemical, mechanical, and heat treatment requirements |
| Material (Bar/Rod) | ASTM B865 / ASME SB865 | UNS N05500 rod and bar for machined flanges and ring flanges |
| Pipe (for reference) | ASTM B165 / ASME SB165 | UNS N04400 seamless tube/pipe (Monel 400 — basis for K-500 pipe connections) |
| Flange Dimensions | ASME B16.5 | Flanges NPS ½–24, Class 150–2500, raised face, flat face, RTJ |
| Large Flanges | ASME B16.47 Series A & B | Flanges NPS 26–60; Series A (MSS SP-44), Series B (API 605) |
| Valve Flanges | MSS SP-44 | Steel pipeline flanges — large diameter |
| Quality / MTC | EN 10204 Type 3.1 | Material test certificates — chemical, mechanical, heat treatment records |
| NDE — PT | ASTM E165 | Liquid penetrant examination of forgings |
| NDE — UT | ASTM A388 / ASME SA388 | Ultrasonic examination of heavy steel forgings |
| Sour Service | NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 | Hardness limits and material selection for H₂S service environments |
| Welding Filler | AWS A5.14 / A5.11 | ERNiCu-7 (GTAW/GMAW) and ENiCu-7 (SMAW) filler metal specifications |
| Mil Spec (Naval) | MIL-N-24106 / QQ-N-286 | Monel K-500 bar and forging for US Navy and defence applications |
| DIN / EN | DIN 17752 / DIN 17754 | European nickel alloy forging standards — material number 2.4375 |
| JIS | JIS B2220 / JIS H4551 | Japanese pipe flange and nickel alloy standards |
Monel K-500 Weld Neck Flanges (WNRF)
Monel K-500 Slip-On Flanges (SORF)
Monel K-500 Blind Flanges (BLRF)
Tesco Steel & Engineering supplies the complete range of Monel K-500 (UNS N05500) flanges: Weld Neck (WNRF / WNFF / WNRTJ), Slip-On (SORF / SOFF), Blind (BLRF / BLFF / BLRTJ), Socket Weld (SWRF), Threaded / Screwed (THRF), Lap Joint (LJTF), Long Weld Neck (LWNRF), Spectacle Blind, Plate Flanges and custom orifice flanges. All flanges are manufactured in the age-hardened condition per ASTM B564 unless annealed is specifically requested. Heat treatment records and material test certificates (EN 10204 3.1 MTC) supplied with every order.
For current stock availability, lead times, and pricing, click Ask for Quote or contact our technical sales team. Expedited export documentation (Mill Test Certs, Packing Lists, Country of Origin, Third-Party Inspection) available for all international shipments.
Monel K-500 (UNS N05500) is a precipitation-hardened nickel-copper alloy containing 2.3–3.15% aluminium and 0.35–0.85% titanium. These additions enable age hardening at 593°C (1100°F), raising minimum UTS to 862 MPa versus 483–586 MPa for Monel 400 (UNS N04400). Both alloys share virtually identical corrosion resistance in seawater, HF acid, and reducing environments, but K-500 offers 2–3× higher strength and hardness, making it the preferred choice for load-bearing flanges in high-stress marine and oilfield service.
In the age-hardened condition per ASTM B564, Monel K-500 flanges achieve minimum UTS 862 MPa (125 ksi), yield strength ≥ 655 MPa (95 ksi), and elongation ≥ 20%. In the annealed condition, UTS is typically 586 MPa with yield ≥ 241 MPa — confirming that full 862 MPa performance requires a complete solution-anneal + age-harden cycle.
Monel K-500 flanges are rated for continuous service up to 480°C (900°F). Above this temperature, the Ni₃(Al,Ti) precipitate strengthening begins to dissolve, reducing hardness and strength toward annealed values. Below −100°C, K-500 retains excellent toughness, qualifying it for cryogenic pipeline flanges as well.
ERNiCu-7 (AWS A5.14) is the standard filler wire for GTAW/GMAW of Monel K-500, and ENiCu-7 (AWS A5.11) for SMAW. Because the weld metal cannot be age-hardened to the same degree as the base metal, weld joints are inherently softer than the parent material. For critical applications, a post-weld solution anneal followed by a full age-harden cycle at 593°C for 16 hours is recommended to maximise joint strength.
Unlike Monel 400, which is non-magnetic, Monel K-500 exhibits slight ferromagnetic behaviour in the age-hardened condition due to ordered Ni₃(Al,Ti) γ'-precipitates. Permeability is very low (typically μr < 1.005) but measurable. For fully non-magnetic applications — such as minesweeping equipment or MRI-adjacent pipework — Monel 400 (UNS N04400) is the preferred grade.
Monel K-500 flanges are produced to ASTM B564 / ASME SB564 (Nickel Alloy Forgings), designating UNS N05500. Dimensional standards include ASME B16.5 (NPS ½–24, Class 150–2500), ASME B16.47 Series A/B (NPS 26–60), and MSS SP-44. Material test reports (MTC 3.1 per EN 10204) must document heat treatment: solution anneal + precipitation harden, min UTS 862 MPa.
Per ASTM B564, Monel K-500 (UNS N05500) contains: Nickel + Cobalt ≥ 63.0%; Copper 27–33%; Aluminium 2.30–3.15%; Titanium 0.35–0.85%; Iron 0.50–2.00%; Manganese ≤ 1.50%; Carbon ≤ 0.25%; Silicon ≤ 0.50%; Sulphur ≤ 0.010%. The Al and Ti combination produces the Ni₃(Al,Ti) γ'-precipitate during ageing — the strengthening phase absent in Monel 400.
Yes. Monel K-500 flanges exhibit uniform corrosion rates below 0.025 mm/year in flowing seawater. The alloy resists chloride pitting, crevice corrosion, and biofouling that degrade 316L stainless steel. The high strength (862 MPa UTS) further qualifies K-500 for subsea wellhead and pipeline flanges where standard austenitic grades would be inadequate. Cathodic protection is still recommended for stationary immersion service.
The density of Monel K-500 (UNS N05500) is 8.44 g/cm³ (0.305 lb/in³). For comparison, Monel 400 has a density of 8.83 g/cm³. The slight reduction in K-500 is due to the aluminium addition (density 2.7 g/cm³) partially replacing nickel and copper in the alloy matrix.
In the age-hardened condition, Monel K-500 achieves a typical hardness of 25–33 HRC (approximately 260–340 HV). In the annealed condition, hardness is 75–85 HRB (approximately 130–170 HV). Standard age-hardening cycle: (1) solution anneal at 980°C for 1 hour + water quench; (2) age at 593°C for 16 hours; (3) air cool. For NACE MR0175 / sour service compliance, maximum hardness is 40 HRC — K-500 in normal age-hardened condition meets this limit.
| Grade | Monel K-500 |
| UNS | N05500 |
| DIN | 2.4375 |
| ASTM | B564 / SB564 |
| AMS | AMS 4676 |
| Condition | Age-Hardened |
| UTS (min) | 862 MPa |
| YS (min) | 655 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 20% |
| Hardness | 25–33 HRC |
| Density | 8.44 g/cm³ |
| Max Temp | 480°C (900°F) |
| Ni + Co | ≥ 63.0% |
| Cu | 27 – 33% |
| Al | 2.30 – 3.15% |
| Ti | 0.35 – 0.85% |
| Filler (GTAW) | ERNiCu-7 |
| Filler (SMAW) | ENiCu-7 |
| Sizes | ½" – 60" NB |
| Classes | 150# – 2500# |
| Magnetic | Slightly (age-hardened) |