HASTELLOY
Hastelloy B3
Superior resistance to hydrochloric acid and reducing environments without molybdenum embrittlement
Hastelloy B3 is a nickel-molybdenum alloy specifically engineered for extreme resistance to non-oxidizing acids, particularly hydrochloric acid at all concentrations and temperatures. The absence of chromium eliminates the risk of molybdenum embrittlement while maintaining exceptional corrosion resistance in the harshest reducing environments.
Quick Specifications
- Density
- 9.25 g/cm³ (0.334 lb/in³)
- Melting Point
- 2370-2480°F (1300-1360°C)
- Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
- 55-70 ksi (379-483 MPa) at room temperature
- Tensile Strength
- 100-130 ksi (690-895 MPa) at room temperature
- Elongation
- 20-25% in 2 inches
- Modulus of Elasticity
- 35.4 × 10⁶ psi (244 GPa) at 70°F
Standards & Certifications
Product Description
Hastelloy B3 represents the latest evolution in nickel-molybdenum alloy technology, building upon decades of proven performance in severe chemical processing environments. The alloy is engineered without chromium, a deliberate design choice that prevents molybdenum embrittlement—a phenomenon that can reduce ductility and fracture toughness in chromium-containing nickel-molybdenum alloys when exposed to certain high-temperature processing conditions. This breakthrough formulation enables unparalleled corrosion resistance to non-oxidizing acids, particularly hydrochloric acid across all concentration ranges and service temperatures, making it the material of choice for petrochemical and chemical manufacturing facilities where operational reliability is mission-critical.
The microstructure of Hastelloy B3 consists of a solid-solution-strengthened nickel-molybdenum matrix that remains stable across a wide temperature range. The alloy achieves excellent strength at room temperature while maintaining exceptional toughness and corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures. Unlike molybdenum-containing alloys with chromium additions, Hastelloy B3 resists the brittle sigma phase and other deleterious intermetallic compounds that form under elevated-temperature exposure. This metallurgical stability ensures that mechanical properties and corrosion resistance remain essentially unchanged throughout extended service intervals, eliminating the unpredictable performance degradation that can occur with less sophisticated alloy systems.
Hastelloy B3 exhibits unprecedented corrosion resistance rates in hydrochloric acid solutions ranging from dilute (5%) to concentrated (37%) across temperatures from ambient to boiling conditions. Corrosion rates typically remain below 0.05 mils per year (1 mm per year) in boiling concentrated HCl, and even lower in dilute acid solutions. This superior performance extends to other reducing acids including dilute sulfuric acid, dilute phosphoric acid, and dilute organic acids. The alloy also resists attack by chloride salts, ferric chloride, and other highly corrosive chemical process streams commonly encountered in fine chemical manufacturing and pharmaceutical production.
The combination of absolute corrosion resistance in the world's most aggressive environments with superior mechanical properties and fabricability makes Hastelloy B3 invaluable for chemical processing equipment where equipment failure would result in catastrophic consequences. The alloy's proven track record spanning decades in acid pickling lines, industrial HCl regeneration systems, pharmaceutical reactors, and fine chemical synthesis equipment demonstrates its ability to deliver reliable service measured in equipment lifetime rather than years. The initial material cost premium is rapidly recovered through elimination of equipment replacement cycles and associated operational downtime.
Specifications
| Density | 9.25 g/cm³ (0.334 lb/in³) |
| Melting Point | 2370-2480°F (1300-1360°C) |
| Yield Strength (0.2% offset) | 55-70 ksi (379-483 MPa) at room temperature |
| Tensile Strength | 100-130 ksi (690-895 MPa) at room temperature |
| Elongation | 20-25% in 2 inches |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 35.4 × 10⁶ psi (244 GPa) at 70°F |
| Thermal Conductivity | 5.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F at 212°F (10.0 W/m·K) |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 6.1 × 10⁻⁶ in/in·°F (11.0 × 10⁻⁶ m/m·°C) 68-212°F |
| Corrosion Rate in Boiling HCl (37%) | <0.05 mils/year (1 mm/year) |
| Hardness (Annealed) | ≤ 260 HB |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Nickel (Ni) | Balance |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 28.0-30.0 |
| Iron (Fe) | 2.4-3.6 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.0 |
| Tungsten (W) | 2.4-3.6 |
| Cobalt (Co) | 0.0-1.0 |
| Aluminum (Al) | 0.0-0.4 |
| Titanium (Ti) | 0.0-0.4 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 1.0-2.0 |
| Carbon (C) | 0.02-0.08 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.0-1.0 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.02 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.02 |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Yield Strength @ 70°F | 55-70 ksi (379-483 MPa) |
| Tensile Strength @ 70°F | 100-130 ksi (690-895 MPa) |
| Elongation (2 inch gauge) | 20-25% |
| Reduction of Area | 40-50% |
| Impact Strength (Charpy V-notch @ 32°F) | ≥ 80 ft·lbf (108 J) |
| Yield Strength @ 600°F | 48 ksi (331 MPa) |
| Tensile Strength @ 600°F | 88 ksi (607 MPa) |
| Creep Rupture Strength (10,000 hrs @ 1000°F) | 12 ksi (83 MPa) |
Key Features & Advantages
Applications
Hydrochloric Acid Processing Equipment
Reactor vessels, distillation columns, and heat exchangers in hydrochloric acid production, regeneration, and recycling systems. Hastelloy B3's unmatched resistance to HCl at all concentrations and temperatures eliminates corrosion-driven equipment replacement cycles, significantly reducing operational costs and improving process reliability.
Fine Chemical Synthesis Reactors
Process vessels and mixing equipment in pharmaceutical and specialty chemical manufacturing where corrosive acids and complex chemical processes combine to create severe corrosion challenges. The alloy's compatibility with diverse chemical systems and superior reliability ensure on-schedule production and minimize batch losses.
Acid Pickling and Metal Processing Lines
Pickling tanks, rinse vessels, and supporting process equipment in steel and metal finishing operations. Hastelloy B3's extreme corrosion resistance allows continuous operation in concentrated acid pickling baths with minimal equipment maintenance or replacement, reducing downtime and improving throughput.
Phosphoric Acid Manufacturing and Processing
Heat exchanger tubes, pipe elbows, and equipment support structures in phosphoric acid production facilities. The alloy resists dilute phosphoric acid corrosion while maintaining the strength necessary for supporting large process vessels and handling the dynamic pressures and temperatures of chemical manufacturing.
Sulfuric Acid Handling Equipment
Heat exchangers, piping, and valve components handling dilute to moderately concentrated sulfuric acid. Hastelloy B3's resistance to both oxidizing and reducing conditions provides reliable performance in applications where acid concentration and temperature fluctuate during normal operation.
Industrial Organic Acid Process Equipment
Reactors and heat exchange equipment for processing formic acid, acetic acid, and other organic acids used in chemical synthesis. The alloy's broad chemical compatibility ensures reliable long-term performance without the corrosion-related failures that plague less resistant materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of chromium-free composition in Hastelloy B3?
How does Hastelloy B3 perform in boiling concentrated hydrochloric acid?
Is Hastelloy B3 suitable for oxidizing acid environments?
What are the welding considerations for Hastelloy B3?
What is the cost comparison between Hastelloy B3 and alternative materials for HCl service?
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