ASTM B164 is the standard specification by ASTM International covering nickel-copper alloys in the form of hot-worked and cold-worked rod, bar, and wire. The most widely used grade is UNS N04400 (Monel 400 / Nickel 400). The companion specification ASME SB-164 adopts identical requirements for ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) compliance.
Zhengzhou Huitong (HT Pipe) supplies ASTM B164 / SB-164 compliant nickel-copper alloy rods and bars with full Mill Test Certificates (MTC) per EN 10204 3.1.
1. Standard Scope & Designation
ASTM B164 covers the following nickel-copper grades:
| UNS No. |
Common Name |
Alloy Type |
Key Features & Application |
| UNS N04400 |
Monel 400 / Nickel 400 |
Ni-63% min, Cu-28-34%, Fe-2.5% max, Mn-2.0% max |
General corrosion — marine, chemical, oil & gas, nuclear |
| UNS N04405 |
Monel 400 (restricted C/S) |
Ni-63% min, Cu-28-34%, Fe-2.5% max, C-0.05% max, S-0.01% max |
Improved machinability — valve stems, fasteners |
Scope Statement: "This specification covers nickel-copper alloys (UNS N04400 and UNS N04405) in the form of hot-worked and cold-worked rod, bar, and wire for general corrosion-resistant service."
| Designation |
Issuing Body |
Unit System |
Latest Edition |
| ASTM B164 |
ASTM International |
Inch-Pound |
B164-03(2019) |
| ASME SB-164 |
ASME (BPVC Sec. II Part B) |
Both |
2025 Edition |
2. Alloy Grades Covered by ASTM B164
ASTM B164 covers two nickel-copper alloys in the solid-solution family:
| UNS No. |
Commercial Designation |
Alloy Type |
Key Features & Typical Application |
| UNS N04400 |
Monel 400 / Nickel 400 |
Ni-63% min, Cu-28-34%, Fe-2.5% max, Mn-2.0% max |
General corrosion — marine, chemical, oil & gas, nuclear |
| UNS N04405 |
Monel 400 (restricted C/S) |
Ni-63% min, Cu-28-34%, Fe-2.5% max, C-0.05% max, S-0.01% max |
Improved machinability — valve stems, fasteners |
3. Chemical Composition — Key Grades (ASTM B164)
Values are maximum unless shown as a range. Heat analysis per ASTM B164.
| Grade |
Ni% |
Cu% |
Fe% |
Mn% |
C% |
Si% |
S% |
| N04400 |
63.0 min |
28.0–34.0 |
2.50 |
2.00 |
0.30 |
0.50 |
0.024 |
| N04405 |
63.0 min |
28.0–34.0 |
2.50 |
2.00 |
0.05 |
0.50 |
0.010 |
Note: Product analysis tolerances per ASTM B164 apply.
4. Mechanical Property Requirements (ASTM B164)
All values are minimum requirements unless otherwise stated. Tensile testing per ASTM E8.
| Grade |
UNS |
Tensile Strength
min MPa (ksi) |
Yield Strength 0.2%
min MPa (ksi) |
Elong.
min % |
Hardness
max |
| Monel 400 (HW) |
N04400 |
517 (75) |
207 (30) |
30 |
170 HB |
Hot-Worked |
| Monel 400 (CW) |
N04400 |
517 (75) |
276 (40) |
30 |
180 HB |
Cold-Drawn |
| Monel 400 (HW) |
N04405 |
517 (75) |
207 (30) |
30 |
170 HB |
Hot-Worked |
Note: Hardness testing per ASTM E10 (Brinell) or ASTM E18 (Rockwell). Cold-worked bar may exhibit higher strength due to cold work.
5. Heat Treatment Requirements
| Grade |
Condition |
Heat Treatment |
Cooling |
| UNS N04400 (Monel 400) |
Annealed |
871–982°C (1600–1800°F) |
Water quench or rapid air cool |
| UNS N04405 |
Annealed |
871–982°C (1600–1800°F) |
Water quench or rapid air cool |
Important: Monel 400 is a solid-solution alloy that can only be hardened by cold working. It retains excellent ductility and toughness from sub-zero temperatures up to about 1000°F (538°C). Annealing restores maximum corrosion resistance after cold working.
6. Testing & Inspection Requirements
| Test |
Requirement |
Reference Standard |
| Chemical Analysis (Heat) |
One per heat / melt; all elements per Table 1 |
ASTM E1473 / E354 |
| Tensile Test |
One per lot (same heat, same condition, same diameter group) |
ASTM E8 / E8M |
| Hardness Test |
Brinell or Rockwell; one per lot |
ASTM E10 / E18 |
| Visual & Dimensional |
Surface condition, straightness, diameter tolerance |
ASTM B164 Tables |
| PMI (Positive Material ID) |
When specified by purchaser |
ASTM E1473 |
7. Rod & Bar Dimensions — Available Sizes
ASTM B164 covers various rod and bar forms. Common commercial size ranges:
| Form |
Diameter / Width |
Typical Length |
Tolerance |
| Hot-Worked Round |
12.7 – 200 mm (1/2–8 in.) |
3.0 – 6.0 m random |
±0.13 mm typical |
| Cold-Worked Round |
6.35 – 100 mm (1/4–4 in.) |
3.0 – 6.0 m random |
±0.05 mm typical |
| Hot-Worked Square |
12.7 – 150 mm |
3.0 – 6.0 m random |
±0.25 mm typical |
| Wire |
0.50 – 12.7 mm |
Coil or cut lengths |
±0.025 mm typical |
Note: Diameter tolerances per ASTM B164 tables. Cut-to-length available on request.
8. Industries & Applications
| Industry |
Recommended Grades |
Typical Applications |
| Marine / Offshore |
N04400, N04405 |
Propeller shafts, pump shafts, valve stems, seawater piping, condenser tubes |
| Chemical Processing |
N04400 |
H₂SO₄, HF, HCl acid service, pickling equipment, scrubbers |
| Oil & Gas |
N04400 |
Valve trim, flow meters, wellhead equipment, downhole components |
| Nuclear Industry |
N04400 |
Uranium isotope enrichment, nuclear fuel processing, reactor internals |
| Power Generation |
N04400 |
Feedwater heaters, condensers, steam generator tubing |
| Pharmaceutical |
N04400 |
Corrosion-resistant pump shafts, fasteners, mixing equipment |
9. B164 vs B127 vs B165 — Nickel-Copper Alloy Specifications Compared
| Criteria |
ASTM B164 |
ASTM B127 |
ASTM B165 |
| Product Form |
Rod, Bar, Wire |
Plate, Sheet, Strip |
Seamless Pipe & Tube |
| Processing |
Hot-worked, Cold-worked |
Hot-rolled, Cold-rolled |
Hot-finished, Cold-drawn |
| UNS Grades |
N04400, N04405 |
N04400, N04405 |
N04400, N04405 |
| Mechanical Props |
TS≥517 MPa, YS≥207 MPa (N04400 HW) |
TS≥483 MPa, YS≥207 MPa (N04400) |
TS≥448 MPa, YS≥172 MPa (N04400) |
| General Requirements |
ASTM B880 |
ASTM B880 |
ASTM B880 |
| Primary Use |
Machined parts, fasteners, shafts, wire |
Pressure vessels, heat exchangers |
Process piping, heat exchanger tubes |
Key Distinction: ASTM B164, B127, and B165 form a complementary family of specifications for Monel 400-type materials across all product forms. B164 covers rod/bar/wire (solid long products), B127 covers flat products (plate, sheet, strip), and B165 covers tubular products (seamless pipe and tube). All share the same UNS grades (N04400, N04405) and similar chemical/mechanical requirements.
10. Related Standards
| Standard |
Scope |
Relationship |
| ASTM B127 |
Ni-Cu Alloy Plate, Sheet, Strip |
Flat product companion specification |
| ASTM B165 |
Ni-Cu Alloy Seamless Pipe & Tube |
Tubular product companion specification |
| ASTM B880 |
General Requirements for Nickel Alloys |
Governs tolerances, testing, certification |
| ASTM E8 / E8M |
Tension Testing of Metallic Materials |
Tensile test method required by B164 |
| ASTM E1473 |
Chemical Analysis of Ni & Ni Alloys |
Chemical analysis method |
| ASME SB-164 |
BPVC Section II Part B |
ASME adoption with CMTR |
| DIN EN 10204 |
Metallic Products — Inspection Documents |
3.1 CMTR certification |
11. How to Order — Required Information
| No. |
Item |
Requirement / Example |
| 1 |
Specification |
ASTM B164 / ASME SB164 |
| 2 |
Grade / UNS |
e.g., UNS N04400 (Monel 400) or UNS N04405 |
| 3 |
Shape |
Round, Square, Hexagon, Wire |
| 4 |
Processing |
Hot-worked (HW) or Cold-worked (CW) |
| 5 |
Diameter / Size |
e.g., 50 mm round |
| 6 |
Length |
Random (RL ~3–6 m) or Cut-to-length |
| 7 |
Condition |
Annealed (default) |
| 8 |
Supplementary Tests |
PMI, intergranular corrosion, UT, impact testing |
| 9 |
Certification |
EN 10204 3.1 Certified Mill Test Report |
| 10 |
Quantity |
Pieces or total weight (kg / metric tons) |
Download ASTM B164 Standard (PDF)
The official ASTM B164-03(2019) PDF is available from our HT Pipe Download Center. The document includes full chemical composition, mechanical property requirements, heat treatment, dimensions and tolerances, testing methods, and supplementary requirements.
Go to Download Center | Request MTC / Quotation
12. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is ASTM B164 nickel-copper alloy rod?
ASTM B164 is the standard specification for nickel-copper alloys in the form of hot-worked and cold-worked rod, bar, and wire. It covers UNS N04400 (Monel 400 / Nickel 400) and UNS N04405 (restricted C/S variant). Monel 400 is a solid-solution alloy with excellent corrosion resistance from sub-zero to about 538°C.
Q: What is Monel 400 (UNS N04400)?
Monel 400 (UNS N04400) is a nickel-copper alloy (approximately 67% Ni, 30% Cu) with excellent resistance to seawater, hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid, and alkaline solutions. It has high strength and toughness over a wide temperature range and is non-magnetic in the annealed condition.
Q: What are the mechanical properties of Monel 400 rod per ASTM B164?
In the hot-worked condition, UNS N04400 rod and bar must meet: minimum tensile strength 517 MPa (75 ksi), minimum yield strength 207 MPa (30 ksi), and minimum elongation 30%. Cold-drawn bar may exhibit higher yield strength (276 MPa / 40 ksi).
Q: What is the difference between UNS N04400 and UNS N04405?
Both are nickel-copper alloys covered by ASTM B164. UNS N04400 (Monel 400) has C≤0.30% and S≤0.024%. UNS N04405 has tighter limits with C≤0.05% and S≤0.010%, which improves machinability and is preferred for precision valve stems and fasteners.
Q: What is the difference between ASTM B164 and ASTM B127?
ASTM B164 covers nickel-copper alloy rod, bar, and wire. ASTM B127 covers the same alloy family in plate, sheet, and strip form. Both share the same UNS grades (N04400, N04405) and similar chemical and mechanical requirements.
Q: Is ASTM B164 the same as ASME SB-164?
Technically identical in chemistry and mechanical properties. ASME SB-164 is ASTM B164 adopted into ASME BPVC Section II Part B. SB-164 additionally requires Certified Material Test Reports (CMTR) with full traceability for ASME Code-stamped equipment. Most mills supply dual-certified B164/SB-164 material.
Request a Quote — ASTM B164 Monel 400 Rod, Bar & Wire
Zhengzhou Huitong (HT Pipe) supplies ASTM B164 / SB-164 compliant Monel 400 nickel-copper alloy rods and bars in UNS N04400 and UNS N04405. Full EN 10204 3.1 CMTRs and competitive lead times from affiliated mills.
