Using open-atmosphere flame synthesis, graphene films and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are grown directly on nickel and nickel-alloy substrates. The gas-flow input CH4 to H-2 ratio (1:10) is held constant. For nickel, copper-nickel, and Inconel, few-layer graphene (FLG) grows at 850 degrees C. Transitional growth from FLG to CNTs is observed on nickel, copper-nickel, and Inconel, as the substrate temperature is decreased to 500 degrees C. CNT growth is found for nitinol at 500 degrees C; however, graphene growth is not observed for nitinol at elevated temperatures for the examined experimental conditions. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.