Surbhi Metal & Alloys

Inconel is a material that is specifically optimized for some of the toughest use conditions to be found in manufacturing. Even compared to stainless steel, Inconel has an incredibly high tolerance for extreme heat, and doesn’t lose as much tensile strength at 2,000°F as most varieties of steel.

When determining strength, tensile strength, corrosion resistance, and even melt resistance can be measured. Inconel 625 has a high tensile strength range of 103 - 160 ksi compared to the 73.2 ksi of stainless steel and can maintain that strength at higher operating temperatures. 

Though exact measurements vary, reported statistics state the range of the Inconel melting point between 2,350°F and 2,460°F (1,290°C and 1,350°C). While the Inconel melting point is lower than that of stainless steel, Inconel 625 is stronger than stainless steel at high temperatures while being more resistant to oxidation and scaling as well.

In the high-nickel superalloy Inconel family, Inconel 625 is between Inconel 330 and 600 when it comes to nickel content. This combination, along with columbium and molybdenum, allows for this type of Inconel melting point to be very high and perform well in high heat. Inconel 625 is especially resistant to chloride pitting, fatigue stress, and has a particularly high creep rupture strength and high oxalic resistance. Additionally, Inconel 625 is very easy to weld when compared to other Inconel variations.

Due to its high chemical and temperature resistant qualities, the superalloy Inconel 625 can be used in a variety of applications, including jet engine exhausts, flare stacks, seawater equipment, and chemical plant equipment.

Inconel is ideally used in the oil and gas extraction industries due to its high temperature resistance and oxidation resistant properties. The oil and gas industries need a superalloy metal, like Inconel, that can withstand extreme environments and volatile, corrosive gasses.

The superalloy Inconel 625 is especially useful for the processing systems required for natural gas production. Due to Inconel 625’s particularly strong thermal fatigue strength and oxidation resistance, it’s often used for the separation of extracted fluids or in line steel transfer piping. 

Inconel is famously resistant to extreme temperatures, and retains enough tensile strength at high temperatures to continue holding moderate loads (Inconel 625 retains 13.3 ksi tensile strength at 2,000°F). This makes Inconel the ideal basket material for heat treat applications—comparing favorably to stainless steel alloys such as Grade 304, 316, and 330 SS.

Compared to most stainless steel alloys, a basket made from a superalloy like Inconel won’t lose shape as easily when holding parts through a rigorous heat treat application.

Some manufacturing processes may combine high and low temperature processes in rapid succession. Most Inconel alloys retain excellent oxidation resistance at high and low temperatures, allowing a single basket made from Inconel to be used in processes where temperatures vary between near-cryogenic lows and heat treatment highs.

Inconel is often used in marine applications because of its extraordinary resistance to sodium chloride (salt) at a variety of temperatures. So, for processes that use salt or factory locations near the ocean, Inconel can be ideal for a parts washing basket.

However, some stainless steel alloys also exhibit excellent resistance to saltwater.

Generally speaking, this superalloy would only be much more useful than grade 316 stainless steel if extreme temperatures in excess of 1,000°F would be a concern as well. Inconel® would retain its oxidation resistance better at high temperatures than 316 SS would.Some of  manufacturing might use Inconel in construction of jet engines.