Inconel is a registered trademark used to describe nickel-chromium superalloys. The Inconel family is known as Chronin, Altemp, Haynes, Nickelvac, and Nicrofer because they are austenitic nickel alloys. Although the composition of Inconel alloys can vary greatly, nickel is always the element utilized in the largest amount, followed by chromium. Superalloys with a nickel-chrome base are Inconel materials. High levels of creep resistance, oxidation resistance, corrosion resistance, and strength at high temperatures characterize Inconel. Inconel can withstand extremely corrosive conditions and high temperatures. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Metalmen Sales Inc.
Long Island City, NY | 800-767-9494We supply Nickel and its alloys for a broad range of applications. metalmen provides supply solutions – we respond with quick quotes and on-time deliveries.
Leading Edge Metals & Alloys, Inc.
Torrance, CA | 877-455-5362For knowledgeable, immediate response to your metal sourcing requests, contact Leading Edge Metals & Alloys, Inc. today. This full service, high performance metal supplier is your complete source for aircraft grade materials. We have alloy steels, aluminum, copper and brass alloys, nickel alloys, magnesium, stainless steel, titanium, tool steels, and more, as well as a wide range of specialty plastics.
Tri Star Metals, Inc.
Carol Stream, IL | 800-541-2294Tri Star Metals is a producer and distributor of stainless steel, aluminum, and nickel alloy rod, bar and wire stock. Our two manufacturing facilities and extensive inventory enable us to get product to you with maximum efficiency and short lead times. We are ISO 9001:2000 certified. Ask us about just-in-time programs, special diameter and tolerances, and various finishes.
Metal Associates
Pompton Plains, NJ | 800-838-1978Our company may have started small, but we quickly grew to handle the largest aluminum orders. Our metals are made from the highest quality materials, and we pledge to offer superior service to all our customers.
ATI
Pittsburgh, PA | 800-289-7454Serving over 30 nations, ATI produces and markets high-quality stainless steel, tool steel, stainless steel alloys and much more. As a world wide leader, our metallurgists come to you so that we can thoroughly understand and meet your specific requirements.
The Trident Company
Richardson, TX | 800-442-4914The Trident Company, with almost 40 years of metals sales and service experience, makes on-time shipments throughout the world. Nickel sheet, plate, rod, bar, tubing, pipe, standard structural shapes and wire. Also, Stainless, Carbon, Red metals, Aluminum and many exotic alloys. 11 US locations.
Manufacturing Process of Inconel
Inconel alloys can be challenging to form because they rapidly harden during machining. For machining to occur, the Inconel alloy frequently needs to be in a solutionized state. But when machining Inconel, like brazing or welding stainless steel, aggressiveness and strong tools are required. The use of threaded inserts is widespread. Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), also known as inert tungsten gas (TIG) welding, is the most popular method utilized on Inconel alloys. However, many people have been using a recent invention, pulsed micro-laser welding, to weld Inconel alloys.
Types of Inconel
Inconel 617 is a mixture of molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, and chromium. It has enhanced strength, oxidation resistance, and metallurgical resistance. Aluminum increases Iconel 617’s ability to resist oxidation. Even when exposed to various corrosive environments, it can still resist corrosion. It is used in gas turbines, ducting, transition liners, petrochemical processing, heat-treating machinery, and nitric acid production.
Inconel 601 has nickel, iron, and chrome. It is a flexible technical material used in high-heat and corrosive environments. It is very resistant to aqueous corrosion and easy to machine and weld. It is extremely metallurgical stable and can withstand temperatures of up to 1250°F. Inconel 601 is used in manufactured combustion chambers, thermal reactors, insulting cans, and refractory cans.
Inconel 718 is a well-known nickel-chromium-cobalt alloy with excellent metallurgical stability. The Inconel 718 alloy is frequently used in ducting, gas turbines, power plants, combustion cans, and chemical processing. It is simple to fabricate, making traditional welding methods for joining it to metals simple. There are trace amounts of manganese, copper, titanium, silicone, carbon, Sulphur, phosphorus, and boron in Inconel 718.
The Characteristics of Inconel
One of Inconel's qualities is its ability to withstand extremely high temperatures. Inconel alloy maintains its strength even at very high temperatures. It has a thick, long-lasting protective oxide coating that forms when it’s heated. This coating provides outstanding corrosion resistance even at high temperatures.
Inconel succeeds in high-temperature circumstances where steel fails. The main factor causing Inconel's exceptionally high-temperature resistance is the production of the complicated intermetallic Ni3Nb in the gamma double prime phase. The intermetallic phase acts as a "glue" on the grain boundaries when heated to high temperatures, keeping the grains from expanding.
Advantages of Inconel Alloys
The compositions of different Inconel vary. Each Inconel variant has special qualities that make it useful in particular situations. For instance, Inconel 600 produces efficient components for the chemical and food processing industries due to its better resistance to oxidation and several types of corrosion. Meanwhile, Inconel 625 is a desirable option for the aerospace and marine engineering industries since it has excellent strength levels without ever undergoing heat treatment.
Nickel and chromium are the primary components of Inconel, so regardless of the precise alloy, Inconel is a desirable choice of material. For instance, these alloys are resistant to oxidation. Other metals like steel and aluminum typically bend when subjected to intense heat. Inconel is produced in all typical mill forms, including rod, bar, wire, wire rod, plate, sheet, pipes, tubular goods, and forging stock.
The aircraft sector is where Inconel alloys are used the most frequently. Inconel is used in space shuttles, rocket engines, 3D printing, etc. The usage of various Inconel grades is also widespread in the nuclear industry. In addition, Inconel alloys are used for:
- Jet engine
- Fuel Nozzles
- Engine Subsystems
- Afterburners
- Marine applications for saltwater
- Extraction of oil and gas
Choosing the Proper Inconel® Supplier
To ensure you have the most beneficial outcome when purchasing Inconel from an Inconel supplier, it is important to compare several companies using our directory of Inconel suppliers. Each Inconel supplier has a business profile highlighting their areas of experience, along with a contact form to directly communicate with the suppliers for more information or request a quote. Review each Inconel business website using our proprietary website previewer to quickly learn what each company specializes in. Then, use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple Inconel companies with the same form.
