Buy Hastelloy C-276 Plate, Pipe & Tubing

What is Hastelloy and why C‑276?

Hastelloy is a family of nickel‑based corrosion‑resistant alloys originally developed by Haynes International. The alloys are identified by UNS (Unified Numbering System) numbers; UNS N10276 represents Hastelloy C‑276. Common names include Alloy C‑276, C‑276, C276 and sometimes Inconel C‑276 because many Ni‑Cr‑Mo alloys are marketed under Inconel® names. The UNS system assigns a unique code to each metal grade so that engineers globally can specify materials without ambiguity; N10276 therefore uniquely identifies C‑276 while grades like UNS N06455 denote related alloys such as C‑4.

Hastelloy C‑276 belongs to the nickel–chromium–molybdenum family. Compared with older Alloy C, C‑276 contains very low carbon and silicon. This composition suppresses grain‑boundary carbide precipitates in the heat‑affected zone so welds remain resistant to intergranular corrosion. The alloy is therefore considered the most versatile corrosion‑resistant Hastelloy and is widely used in chemical processing, pollution‑control equipment and sour‑gas production.

What is it made of?

The standard chemical composition of C‑276 (wrought alloy) includes approximately 57 % nickel as the balance element, 15–17 % molybdenum, 14.5–16.5 % chromium, 4–7 % iron and 3–4.5 % tungsten; small amounts of cobalt (< 2.5 %), manganese (< 1 %), vanadium (< 0.35 %), silicon (< 0.08 %) and carbon (< 0.01 %) complete the composition. The high molybdenum and tungsten contents give excellent resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, while the chromium provides oxidising‑media resistance.

Is Hastelloy C‑276 stainless steel or Inconel?

C‑276 is not a stainless steel—it contains much more nickel, molybdenum and tungsten than common stainless grades. Stainless steels (for example 316 or 304) are iron‑based, contain ~10–20 % nickel and do not include tungsten, so they cost less but corrode under conditions that C‑276 withstands. The material also differs from Inconel 625; the latter has more chromium and lower molybdenum, making it superior in oxidising acids but less robust in strongly reducing media.

Naming equivalents and trade names

Hastelloy C‑276 is sold under various trade names. European standards identify it as DIN 2.4819, and the cast equivalent is CW‑12MW. Other producer names include AL276, Nickelvac C‑276, Böhler L276, UNITEMP HN and the generic description CrNiMo16‑60‑16. Because of the unified chemistry, these names refer to the same alloy and can be used interchangeably when sourcing plate, pipe or tubing.

Standards and equivalents

UNS number and P‑Number

Hastelloy C‑276 carries the UNS designation N10276. In welding practice it is assigned ASME P‑Number 111 and is grouped under ISO 15608 Group 43. These classifications help welding engineers select appropriate procedures and filler metals.

ASTM specifications and product codes

The alloy is manufactured in many product forms and is covered by several ASTM standards:

These standards specify chemistry, mechanical properties, dimensional tolerances and testing requirements. Cast products are covered by ASTM A494 CW‑12MW. When procuring materials, specifying the correct ASTM code ensures consistency across suppliers.

Equivalent and substitute alloys

The Virgamet database notes that related nickel alloys offer different corrosion strengths: UNS N06455 (Alloy C‑4) provides improved thermal stability; UNS N06022 (C‑22) improves resistance to chloride‑induced localised corrosion; UNS N06059 (Alloy 59) and UNS C06200 (C‑2000) offer superior corrosion resistance in specific media. Engineers often compare these grades when selecting the optimum material for an aggressive environment.

Properties and performance

Physical and mechanical properties

Hastelloy C‑276’s high‑density microstructure (density ≈ 8.9 g/cm³) and high melting range (2415–2500 °F / 1323–1371 °C) enable performance from cryogenic to elevated temperatures. The Virgamet data sheet lists the following mechanical properties for solution‑annealed material: yield strength > 283 MPa, tensile strength > 690 MPa, elongation > 40 % and hardness around 90 HRB. The alloy retains high modulus at elevated temperatures and exhibits good creep resistance.

Corrosion resistance and chemical compatibility

C‑276 is renowned for its broad chemical resistance. It resists attack by both reducing and oxidising acids, including hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, formic and acetic acids, and remains stable in wet chlorine gas and hypochlorite solutions. The material offers exceptional resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion and stress‑corrosion cracking thanks to its high molybdenum and tungsten content. The Elite Valve materials guide notes that C‑276 is more corrosion‑resistant than 316 ss, Alloy 20 or Monel 400 in strong acids and aggressive chemical services. It is comparable to Inconel and titanium in chemical resistance but is better suited for mixed or unknown media.

Temperature capability

The alloy retains strength and corrosion resistance over a wide temperature range. Elite Valve notes that C‑276 performs well from cryogenic temperatures to ≈ 1040 °C (≈ 1900 °F), making it suitable for heat exchangers and high‑temperature reactors. Pipingmaterial.ae’s comparison table lists the maximum service temperature of C‑276 at 1 800 °F (≈ 980 °C) for good oxidation resistance.

Density, hardness and other properties

The alloy’s density is 0.321 lb/in³ (8.89 g/cm³) and hardness falls in the 87–90 Rockwell B range. Thermal conductivity increases from about 9.4 W/m‑K at room temperature to ~28 W/m‑K at 1 090 °C, while the coefficient of thermal expansion rises from 11.2 × 10⁻⁶ m·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ at 24–93 °C to 16.0 × 10⁻⁶ m·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ at 24–925 °C. These properties help designers model thermal stresses in service.

Processing and fabrication

Forming and machining

Hastelloy C‑276 can be forged, hot‑upset and impact‑extruded. High‑Temp Metals notes that despite the alloy’s tendency to work‑harden, it can be deep‑drawn, spun, press‑formed or punched. Machining should use low cutting speeds and adequate depth of cut to avoid work‑hardening.

Welding

The alloy’s low carbon and silicon contents minimise carbide precipitation, allowing welding without post‑weld heat treatment. Gas tungsten‑arc, gas metal‑arc, shielded metal‑arc and resistance welding are all acceptable; oxyacetylene and submerged‑arc welding should be avoided to prevent carburisation. Pipingmaterial.ae advises removing heat tint after welding and selecting filler metals with high molybdenum content (ERNiCrMo‑10 or ERNiCrMo‑4) for optimum corrosion resistance.

Heat treatment

Wrought products are normally supplied solution annealed. The recommended solution heat treatment temperature is 2050 °F (≈ 1121 °C) followed by rapid quenching. Parts hot‑formed at lower temperatures should be re‑annealed to restore corrosion resistance.

Compliance and sour‑gas service

The corrosion and cracking resistance of C‑276 make it a candidate for sour‑gas applications regulated by NACE. Elite Valve’s materials guide remarks that C‑276 is often specified in NACE MR0175/MR0103 applications for sour service compliance. Pipingmaterial.ae confirms that because C‑276 resists stress‑corrosion cracking it is certified for oil and gas service under NACE MR0175. Buyers in the hydrocarbon industry should look for certificates of compliance when purchasing bar stock, pipe or valves.

Comparisons with other alloys

C‑276 vs original Alloy C

Alloy C‑276 evolved from Alloy C (UNS N30002). The earlier grade contained more carbon and silicon; when welded it developed grain‑boundary precipitates causing intergranular corrosion. C‑276 lowered these elements and can therefore be used in the as‑welded condition without post‑weld heat treatment.

C‑276 vs C‑22, C‑4 and C‑2000

C‑22 (UNS N06022) has higher chromium and lower molybdenum than C‑276. Aeether’s comparison notes that C‑22 offers better resistance in oxidising environments, while C‑276 performs better in reducing media; C‑22 also has tighter control of trace elements, giving slightly better high‑temperature behaviour. Virgamet lists N06455 (C‑4) as having improved thermal stability and C‑2000 as offering enhanced resistance to sulfuric acid and reducing media. Engineers should therefore match the alloy to the dominant chemical species in service.

C‑276 vs Inconel 625 and other Inconel grades

Both C‑276 and Inconel 625 are Ni‑Cr‑Mo alloys, but Inconel 625 contains more chromium and uses niobium and tantalum for strengthening while C‑276 uses molybdenum and tungsten. The higher chromium content makes Inconel 625 superior in oxidising acids (e.g., nitric acid), whereas C‑276’s high molybdenum gives better resistance in reducing acids (e.g., hydrochloric acid). Mechanical properties are similar, but C‑276 is often preferred in chemical processing while 625 finds more use in high‑temperature structures and marine hardware.

C‑276 vs stainless steels and super‑duplex alloys

Austenitic stainless steels like 316 or 316L contain roughly 10–17 % nickel and small amounts of molybdenum; they resist corrosion in mild conditions but suffer pitting in halide media and have lower strength at high temperature. Duplex stainless steels (UNS S31803 or S32205) have higher strength and some pitting resistance but still contain much less nickel and cannot match C‑276’s performance in highly reducing acids.

C‑276 vs Alloy 20 and Monel 400

Alloy 20 (UNS N08020) is a Ni–Fe–Cr–Cu–Mo alloy designed for sulfuric acid; it is less expensive than C‑276 and works well up to ~250 °C. Monel 400 (UNS N04400) is a nickel–copper alloy with excellent resistance in reducing acids and seawater but limited performance in oxidising conditions. C‑276 offers a broader corrosion envelope than either grade, though at higher cost.

C‑276 vs titanium and tantalum

Titanium alloys (e.g., Grade 2) combine high strength with outstanding corrosion resistance in many oxidising and reducing environments. Titanium is often chosen when weight is critical and chloride exposure is moderate; however, it is susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement in some reducing acids. Tantalum has near‑universal corrosion resistance but is extremely expensive and difficult to fabricate; C‑276 offers a practical balance of cost and performance for many chemical plants.

Forms and availability

Hastelloy C‑276 is available in a wide range of product forms. According to Virgamet, the alloy can be supplied as forgings, wires, bars, strips, sheets and plates. Pipe and tubing are manufactured to ASTM B622 (seamless) and ASTM B619/B626 (welded) standards. Castings (CW‑12MW) meet ASTM A494 requirements.

BACH INDUSTRY AG stocks plate, pipe and tubing in multiple sizes and finishes. Our inventory includes cold‑rolled sheet and strip, hot‑rolled plate for fabrication and seamless or welded tubing for process equipment. In addition to C‑276, we offer other Hastelloy grades and nickel alloys. All materials are supplied with mill certificates and, where required, EN 10204 3.1 certification.

Pricing and sourcing

Price considerations

The cost of Hastelloy C‑276 depends on alloying elements, manufacturing complexity and global nickel prices. Although C‑276 contains more expensive molybdenum and tungsten than 625, its larger production volumes and more frequent use in industry make it slightly less expensive than Hastelloy C‑22. Prices fluctuate with commodity markets, so current quotations should be obtained for each project.

Because the alloy is a high‑performance material, purchasing strategies differ from those used for commodities. Buyers often specify price per pound when budgeting and should account for fabrication costs (cutting, forming, welding) and any heat‑treatment or testing. BACH INDUSTRY AG offers transparent pricing and volume discounts; our sales team can provide a Hastelloy C‑276 price history and advise on market trends.

Sourcing from BACH INDUSTRY AG

BACH INDUSTRY AG supplies Hastelloy C‑276 products to customers in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Belgium and across Africa. Our strategic warehouse in Zürich allows for quick delivery within Switzerland, while partner hubs in Germany and Belgium serve the European Union. For African customers we coordinate export documentation and logistics to major ports. We maintain strong relationships with mills and can provide both mill‑direct and ex‑stock options for plate, pipe and tubing. Clients can buy small quantities for prototyping or place large orders for process plants; we are committed to fair cost and consistent quality. For urgent requirements, our sales team can source materials outside our own stock through a network of approved Hastelloy C‑276 suppliers.

Conclusion

Hastelloy C‑276 remains one of the most versatile corrosion‑resistant alloys available. Its balanced chemistry of nickel, molybdenum, chromium and tungsten provides outstanding resistance to both reducing and oxidising media, along with good high‑temperature strength and weldability. The alloy is recognised under UNS N10276 and covered by numerous ASTM standards for plate, pipe, fittings and forgings. While its price is higher than stainless steel or duplex alloys, the material often offers the lowest total cost of ownership in severe environments thanks to its durability.

BACH INDUSTRY AG is ready to help clients select, purchase and fabricate Hastelloy C‑276 for projects in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Belgium and Africa. Please contact us for quotations, technical data sheets or comparisons with other alloys.