In the 1920s and 30s, Monel was available in both hot-rolled and cold-rolled sheets typical finishes included brightly polished, "hand-forged" black, and two-toned in outdoor applications, Monel develops a patina ranging from light gray-green to medium brown.
Typical Uses
1.Popular between 1909 and the mid 1950s
2.Available in sheet form for architectural applications
3.Installed as a sheet roofing membrane in 1908
4.In the late 1920s, Monel was began to be used for grocery coolers, countertops, sinks, laundry and food preparation appliances, roofing and flashing
5.Other uses for sheet and plate Monel were ductwork, flashing, gutters and downspouts, mail chutes, laundry chutes, elevator fittings, lighting fixtures, and skylights
6.Monel castings were also popular and included grilles, rosettes, plaques, handrail fittings, molding, pilasters, mullions, and door jambs
7.Monel forgings were used for hardware
8.Monel bar and rod stock were used for window screens, gates, public directory boards, railings, and divider strips in terrazzo floors
9.Other common applications for Monel included tie wire for securing lath in plaster walls and suspended ceilings, fasteners for tile roofs and anchors for stone cladding
10.Monel began to be displaced by stainless steel in the 1950s, as stainless steel could produce the same forms at a lower cost (due to use of less nickel)
11.A modified, less expensive use of Monel included laminating a thin sheet of Monel to an inexpensive backing material; two examples include Monel-clad steel and Monel-laminated plywood
12.Monel is still manufactured by INCO, primarily in the form of sheet goods; cast and rolled forms are also available, but are extremely expensive
Natural or Inherent Problems
Ø Surface discoloration: Can occur from exposure to atmospheric condition
Ø Pitting: Can occur if exposed to stagnant salt water.
Ø Galvanic corrosion: Metals, such as aluminum, zinc and iron will corrode when in contact with Monel and exposed to severe weather conditions. Therefore, use of these metals as fasteners for Monel should be avoided.
Ø Stress corrosion cracking: Exposure to aerated hydrofluoric acid in moist conditions can cause this to occur.
Ø Corrosion resistance:
1.Nitric oxides and sulfur dioxides, combined with water, are very corrosive to Monel.
2.Nitric and nitrous acids can be very corrosive to Monel at room temperature
3.Hypochlorites are severely corrosive to Monel if notdiluted
4.Acid and alkaline oxidizing salts, ferric chloride, ferric sulfate, cupric chloride, stannic chloride, mercuric chloride and silver nitrate are all corrosive to Monel.
5.Resistance to sulfurous acid varies depending on climatic conditions
6.Organic acids (acetic and fatty acids) have little to no effect on Monel