01
Round Bar
Hot-rolled rounds from 6 to 300 mm serve shafts, stems, and machined housings.
Request Availability →Alloy 20 Bar and Rod
Copper-bearing nickel-iron-chromium bar for pump shafts, valve trim, and machined acid-plant parts.
Niobium Ratio on the Certificate
The paperwork shows Nb+Ta against the carbon content, so the stabilisation claim can be verified.
Anneal and Quench Logged
Therefore, each heat carries a furnace chart and a quench record for the same lot.
Bar and Forgings Under One Roof
Consequently, diameters past the bar range move to the forging route without a second supplier.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
About Alloy 20 Bar and Rod
Alloy 20 bar arrives as a stabilised austenitic grade with copper in the matrix. Niobium at eight times the carbon content holds the grain boundaries clean through welding. Copper at 3 to 4% then carries the acid duty the part will see.
The bar route sits inside a wider family of forms, and each one names its own document. Meanwhile, round bar and rod follow the bar document, while heavier sections move to the forging route. Consequently, one heat can serve a pump shaft and its valve body at the same time.
However, the European trade also lists the grade as 20Cb-3, a Carpenter Technology trademark.
PRODUCT FEATURES
Key Features of Alloy 20 Bar and Rod
Alloy 20 bar carries the UNS N08020 grade, an austenitic nickel-iron-chromium alloy stabilised with niobium and alloyed with copper. Copper at 3 to 4% covers sulphuric and phosphoric acid duty, while niobium at eight times the carbon content keeps grain boundaries clean through welding. Nickel at 32 to 38% removes the chloride stress-corrosion cracking risk that limits 316L. Southerly Alloy supplies and exports UNS N08020 bar to ASTM B473, with heavier sections moving to ASTM B462.
Alloy 20
Copper in the Matrix
Copper at 3 to 4% is the addition that opens sulphuric and phosphoric acid duty.
01
Niobium Ratio Fixed
Nb+Ta at eight times the carbon content keeps grain boundaries clean through welding.
02
Chloride Immunity
Nickel at 32 to 38% puts chloride stress-corrosion cracking out of reach.
03
Pitting Margin Above 316L
Moreover, molybdenum at 2 to 3% and chromium at 19 to 21% widen the localised-attack window.
04
Machinable Annealed Bar
Also, the stabilised annealed condition machines cleanly, and no aging step follows.
05
Cold Work Raises Yield
Therefore, drawing or grinding lifts yield above the annealed floor where a shaft demands it.
06
Documented Anneal
In fact, each lot ships with the furnace chart and the quench record for its heat.
07
Sour Service Ready
The grade appears in NACE MR0175 and ISO 15156-3, so oilfield projects can specify it.
08
WHY CHOOSE US
Why Choose Alloy 20
Match the bar to the acid before anything else. Where dilute sulphuric or phosphoric acid dominates, this grade does the job at a fraction of nickel-molybdenum cost. Where chlorides run hot and concentrated, a higher-molybdenum grade takes over.
01
Copper Opens the Acid Range
Copper at 3 to 4% keeps dilute sulphuric and phosphoric acid inside the working envelope.
02
Niobium Removes the Anneal
Consequently, a welded body keeps its corrosion resistance without a furnace cycle.
03
Chloride Cracking Excluded
Moreover, nickel at 32 to 38% takes stress-corrosion cracking out of the failure review.
04
Machined to Drawing
In addition, we finish bar to the part drawing when the shop prefers a ready component.
MANUFACTURING PROCESS
Reliable Production For Critical Applications
Every lot follows one route, and each step leaves a record. Because the anneal and the quench decide the corrosion result, those two steps carry the tightest control.
01
Charge Selection
Virgin nickel, chromium, copper, and molybdenum enter as weighed lots with the charge sheet signed off.
02
AOD Refining
Argon-oxygen decarburisation drives carbon toward the 0.07% ceiling while residual sulphur and phosphorus stay low.
03
Niobium Addition
Specifically, niobium goes in at eight times the carbon content, which fixes the stabilisation ratio before the metal leaves the ladle.
04
Hot Reduction
Forging and rolling reduce the ingot between 760 and 1175 °C, and no pass finishes below 980 °C.
05
Stabilise Anneal
A furnace pass at 927 to 1010 °C dissolves the worked structure and equalises the composition.
06
Water Quench
Bars enter the tank straight from the furnace, because a slow cool would let carbides form at the grain boundary.
07
Cold Finishing
Drawing, peeling, or centerless grinding brings each bar to the ordered section.
08
Release Testing
Finally, the laboratory clears chemistry, tensile results, hardness, and dimensions before the lot ships.
Manufacturing Facility
MANUFACTURING CAPABILITY
Advanced Production For Nickel Alloy Products
Our manufacturing facility provides reliable production capacity for seamless pipes, tubes, fittings, plates and bars with strict quality management systems.
20,000+ m²
Site Area
Melting, annealing, quenching, and finishing sit inside one boundary.
50+
Bar Line Machines
Sawing, turning, drawing, and grinding equipment covers every ordered section.
600 Tons
Monthly Tonnage
Custom heats and stock sizes run on the same campaign calendar.
30+
Technical Staff
A metallurgist reviews every acid duty enquiry before the offer goes out.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Strict Quality Control From Production To Delivery
Documentation is the product here as much as the metal. Therefore, every lot leaves with a heat number that ties back to the melt, the anneal log, and the mechanical results.
01
Chemistry Against N08020
The laboratory reads copper, niobium, and carbon, then compares each result with the ASTM window.
02
Tensile and Hardness on the Lot
Moreover, mechanical values come from the delivered bar rather than a surrogate sample.
03
Gauge and Surface Check
Diameter, straightness, and finish are measured before the lot is cleared for dispatch.
04
Anneal Log Attached
Consequently, every certificate carries a furnace chart reference and a quench record for the same heat.
PRODUCT FORMS
Available Product Forms
Nine supply routes cover the shapes a machine shop asks for. In addition, each route names the document that governs it.
02
Round Rod
Similarly, drawn stock in coil or straight length suits fasteners and small turned parts.
Request Availability →
03
Bright Bar
A cold-drawn skin holds size over long automatic-lathe runs.
Request Availability →
04
Cold-Drawn Bar
Drawing lifts yield above the annealed floor, and stress relief follows where the section needs it.
Request Availability →
05
Hex Bar
Across-flats stock suits bolting, nuts, and valve bodies.
Request Availability →
06
Square Bar
Square sections carry frames, brackets, and welded fixtures.
Request Availability →
07
Flat Bar
Rectangular stock forms the base for racks and support grids.
Request Availability →
08
Forged Bar
Open-die forging covers valve bodies and heavy sections above the stocked range.
Request Availability →
09
Ground Rod
Centerless grinding holds the tolerance and finish that shaft seals demand.
Request Availability →
APPLICATIONS
Engineered For Demanding Industries
Acid plant is where this grade has served longest. Meanwhile, the high nickel content makes chloride-bearing streams a second home.
Discuss Your Application →
01
Pump and Agitator Shafts
Shafts that turn in dilute sulphuric or phosphoric acid slurry.
02
Valve Trim and Stems
Internal parts that see acid on one face and chloride on the other.
03
Heat Exchanger Tube Sheets
Plates drilled for tube bundles in acid coolers and interchangers.
04
Sulphuric Acid Coolers
Shell-side hardware in dilute and moderate acid duty.
05
Pickling Line Hardware
Racks, hooks, and coil supports inside steel pickling baths.
06
Fasteners for Acid Service
Studs and bolting that must hold torque without cracking.
07
Sour Gas Wellhead Parts
Components specified under NACE MR0175 and ISO 15156-3.
08
Pharmaceutical Mixer Shafts
Shafts that survive alternating acid and caustic cleaning cycles.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Technical Specifications
Detailed technical information including chemical composition, mechanical properties, standards and available dimensions.
Chemical Composition
The limits below come from ASTM B463, B473, and B729, which share one composition table for UNS N08020. Copper is the deliberate addition behind the acid performance, and the niobium range scales with the carbon content. The mill certificate governs final acceptance.
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Nickel (Ni) | 32.0–38.0% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 19.0–21.0% |
| Copper (Cu) | 3.0–4.0% |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 2.0–3.0% |
| Niobium + Tantalum (Nb+Ta) | 8 × C min., 1.00% max. |
| Manganese (Mn) | 2.00% max. |
| Silicon (Si) | 1.00% max. |
| Carbon (C) | 0.07% max. |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.045% max. |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.035% max. |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
Mechanical Properties
Bar and forged bar share one stabilised annealed condition, so the table below carries two rows rather than a full form list. Two footnotes matter for this route, and both are noted underneath.
| Product Form | Condition | Tensile Strength | Yield Strength, 0.2% Offset | Elongation | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bar, rod, and wire, ASTM B473 | Stabilised annealed | ≥80 ksi (551 MPa) | ≥35 ksi (241 MPa) | 30% | 217 HB or 95 HRB max. |
| Forged bar and forging stock, ASTM B462 | Stabilised annealed | ≥80 ksi (551 MPa) | ≥35 ksi (241 MPa) | 30% | Not specified |
The bar document adds a 50% minimum reduction of area, and a strain-hardened condition carries its own row in the same standard. Wire takes a tensile window of 90 to 120 ksi (620 to 830 MPa) with no yield or elongation rule attached.
Indeed, cold work is the only strengthening route here, because the grade does not respond to aging. Therefore, a drawing that calls for higher yield needs a cold-drawn condition on the order.
Physical Properties
The figures in this table are typical design values, and they are not acceptance limits. The alloy stays non-magnetic, and that suits instrument assemblies in acid circuits.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | Approx. 8.08 g/cm³ |
| Melting range | Approx. 1385–1443 °C |
| Modulus of elasticity | Approx. 193 GPa |
| Shear modulus | Approx. 76 GPa |
| Thermal conductivity at 20 °C | Approx. 12.3 W/m·K |
| Electrical resistivity at 20 °C | Approx. 1.08 µΩ·m |
| Specific heat at 20 °C | Approx. 500 J/kg·K |
| Thermal expansion, 25–100 °C | Approx. 14.7 µm/m·K |
| Magnetic response | Essentially non-magnetic |
| Strengthening route | Cold work only |
Standards
Four ASTM documents cover the bar route and its two neighbours, and the ASME editions govern once a pressure code applies. In addition, no SAE aerospace specification reaches UNS N08020. The European and Chinese designations below serve cross-reference only.
| Standard | Product or Application |
|---|---|
| ASTM B473 / ASME SB473 | Bar, rod, and wire |
| ASTM B462 / ASME SB462 | Forgings and forged bar |
| ASTM B472 | Forging billets and bars for reforging |
| ASTM B463 / ASME SB463 | Plate, sheet, and strip cut from the same heat |
| NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156-3 | Sour service qualification for oil and gas |
| UNS N08020 | Unified Numbering System designation |
| W.Nr. 2.4660 / NiCr20CuMo | European designation |
| GB/T 15007 NS1403 | Chinese designation |
| SAE AMS | No aerospace specification covers this grade |
20Cb-3 and Carpenter 20 are trademarks of Carpenter Technology, and Incoloy is a trademark of Special Metals Corporation. We quote those names for reference only, and our deliveries follow the ASTM and ASME documents listed above.
The standard text from ASTM International settles any acceptance question.
Dimensions
Because the bar document sets its own scope, the ranges below follow that text rather than one house rule. For that reason, state the form and the ordered size on the enquiry.
| Product Form | Typical Supply Range |
|---|---|
| Hot-finished round bar | 6–300 mm diameter to ASTM B473 |
| Cold-finished round bar | 6–100 mm diameter, closer tolerance by agreement |
| Square and hexagon bar | 8–80 mm across flats |
| Flat bar | 3–150 mm thick, up to 300 mm wide |
| Wire and rod in coils | 1.5–12 mm diameter to ASTM B473 |
| Forged bar and forging stock | Sections above the agreed bar range to ASTM B462 and B472 |
Also, cut lengths run from 1 m up to 6 m as standard, and heavier sections move to the forging route. Therefore, give the ruling diameter on the enquiry so the correct document is quoted.
Surface Finishes
Finish follows the operation that comes next rather than a catalogue default. In short, we agree the surface with your order.
| Surface Condition | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| Stabilised annealed and pickled | Standard delivery for acid and chloride service |
| Hot-worked | As-rolled or as-forged surface for parts that will be machined |
| Cold drawn | Close diameter control with a brighter surface |
| Peeled | Uniform diameter with a machined skin for further turning |
| Centerless ground | Tight diameter and straightness for shafting |
| Polished | Reduced roughness for product-contact and visible parts |
| Bright annealed | Scale-free surface for instrument and clean circuits |
TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION
Download Technical Datasheet
Get detailed information including specifications, standards, dimensions and material properties.
HOW TO START
Start Your Order in 8 Simple Steps
Eight steps turn an enquiry into a delivered lot. Therefore, send the drawing or the size list first, and the rest follows.
1
State the Medium and Size
Give the acid, its concentration, the temperature, the diameter, and the quantity.
2
Describe the Operation
Tell us whether the part is welded, formed, or machined from solid.
3
Settle the Delivery Condition
We fix stabilised annealed, cold drawn, or forged against that route.
4
Check the Offer Letter
Price, lead time, and the certificate package reach you in one message.
5
Confirm the Specification
Grade, size, inspection level, and delivery terms go on the record.
6
Run the Heat
The mill takes the lot through melting, annealing, quenching, and release testing.
7
Add Machining Where Needed
If the drawing asks for it, we finish the bar and inspect the finished part.
8
Follow the Load
Finally, the desk tracks the shipment and sends the paperwork ahead of arrival.
What Our Clients Say
Feedback from buyers and engineers who source nickel alloy materials from Southerly Alloy.
★★★★★
“Overall, the shafts held their diameter through two campaigns, and the acid attack stayed inside the allowance.”
★★★★★
“In short, one trial bar settled the finish question before we released the annual volume.”
★★★★★
“The certificate named copper and niobium, so incoming inspection cleared the lot without a second test.”
CERTIFICATIONS & QUALITY DOCUMENTATION
Certifications & Quality Documentation
Our production and inspection processes are certified to international standards, and every delivery ships with EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificates.
ISO 9001:2015
Quality Management System
PED 2014/68/EU
Pressure Equipment Directive
ASTM / ASME
Material Standards Compliance
EN 10204 3.1
Mill Test Certificates
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ASTM specification covers Alloy 20 bar?
ASTM B473 covers bar, rod, and wire. Forged bar and heavier sections follow B462, and forging billets follow B472.
What bar sizes do you supply?
Round bar runs from 6 to 300 mm diameter. Square and hexagon stock covers 8 to 80 mm across flats, and flat bar reaches 300 mm wide.
Why does the grade use niobium?
Niobium at eight times the carbon content ties carbon up as a stable carbide, so grain boundaries hold their chromium through welding.
Does the bar need a quench after annealing?
Yes. Bars are quenched in water straight from the 927 to 1010 °C anneal, because a slow cool would let carbides form.
How does Alloy 20 bar compare with C-276 bar?
C-276 covers a wider acid range and higher chloride levels, and it costs considerably more. Alloy 20 wins on dilute sulphuric duty where the budget matters.
Which filler metal suits Alloy 20 bar welding?
ER320LR for TIG and MIG, and E320LR for stick welding. In addition, both are low-residual grades that resist hot cracking.
What is your MOQ for Alloy 20 bar?
One bar covers most stock sizes, and a short cut is enough for a trial.
What are your trade terms for Alloy 20 bar?
We quote mainly on FOB terms, and EXW or CIF follow on request.
What is the lead time for Alloy 20 bar?
Stock diameters ship in 7-15 days, and made-to-order sections run about 25 days.
Do you provide EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 certificates?
Yes. Every heat ships with an EN 10204 3.1 certificate, and we arrange 3.2 endorsement on request.
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION
Need A Custom Alloy Solution?
Send the diameter, the length, and the acid duty. We reply with price, lead time, and the certificate package in one message. Because bar above the agreed range moves to the forging document, state the heaviest section you need.
Additionally, a short trial run costs very little, so a single bar proves the grade before a plant-wide release.
