Comparison of AISI 347LN stainless steel and nickel 600
Comparison of AISI 347LN stainless steel and nickel 600
AISI 347LN is a stabilized austenitic stainless steel (iron-based) that, due to the addition of niobium, possesses excellent high-temperature strength and weldability. Nickel 600 (N06600), on the other hand, is a high-nickel alloy with superior corrosion resistance, especially in harsh/reducing environments, but it is more expensive and more difficult to process. The main difference lies in their composition: 347LN uses niobium to improve the steel's stability, while Nickel 600 relies on high nickel and chromium content to achieve superior overall corrosion resistance and heat resistance, making it an ideal choice for extreme environments where stainless steel is insufficient.
What are the standard pipe materials for Inconel 600?
These pipe materials conform to ASTM B167, B829, and B517 standards. Sizes vary depending on the ASTM, ASME, and API standards. Seamless Inconel 600 pipes range in diameter from 4mm to 219mm, while welded and arc-welded pipes range in diameter from 5mm to 1219.2mm, with wall thicknesses ranging from 0.5mm to 20mm.
AISI 347LN is a modified stainless steel based on AISI 347 (niobium-stabilized austenitic stainless steel) with added nitrogen (N) and reduced carbon content. Its core characteristic is that through the combined strengthening and stabilizing effect of "niobium + nitrogen," it significantly improves the material's room temperature and low temperature strength and corrosion resistance while maintaining excellent resistance to intergranular corrosion and high-temperature strength. It is particularly suitable for large structures requiring high strength, high corrosion resistance, and weldability, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tanks, cryogenic pressure vessels, chemical equipment, and nuclear power pipelines. It is a high-end engineering material that balances performance and weldability.
Inconel 600 is a nickel-chromium-iron solid solution strengthened superalloy, renowned for its excellent high-temperature oxidation resistance (up to approximately 1150°C), excellent resistance to chloride ion stress corrosion cracking, and excellent stability in alkaline and high-temperature pure water environments. It is widely used in heat treatment equipment, chemical processing, nuclear power plant steam generators, and aerospace-critical fields requiring materials to maintain performance in extreme high temperatures and corrosive media. It is a fundamental high-performance nickel-based alloy for handling harsh operating conditions.
Composition and Types of AISI 347LN and Nickel 600
AISI 347LN: An austenitic stainless steel (iron-based) with added niobium (Nb) stabilizer to control carbide precipitation and prevent intergranular corrosion after welding.
Nickel 600 (N06600): A nickel-based superalloy (nickel content at least 72%) containing significant amounts of chromium (Cr) and iron (Fe).
Main Advantages and Disadvantages of AISI 347LN and Nickel 600
AISI 347LN:
Advantages: High high-temperature strength (up to approximately 870°C/1600°F), good weldability, and lower cost than nickel-based alloys.
Disadvantages: Less corrosion resistant than nickel-based alloys in corrosive media (e.g., chlorides, strong acids).
Nickel 600:
Advantages: Excellent resistance to various corrosive media (acids, brine, chlorides); maintains strength at extremely high temperatures (up to 1093°C/2000°F); excellent high-temperature oxidation resistance.
Disadvantages: Expensive (5-10 times the price of stainless steel); difficult to process (prone to work hardening).
Chemical Composition Comparison: Nickel 600 vs. AISI 347LN
| Element | Nickel 600 (UNS N06600) | AISI 347LN (Stabilized Austenitic Stainless Steel) |
|---|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) | 6.0 - 10.0 % | Balance (~60-70%) |
| Nickel (Ni) | ≥ 72.0 % | 9.0 - 13.0 % |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14.0 - 17.0 % | 17.0 - 20.0 % |
| Niobium (Nb) | – | ≥ 8 × C% (min), typically 0.40 - 1.00% |
| Nitrogen (N) | – | 0.10 - 0.16 % |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 1.00 % | ≤ 2.00 % |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.50 % | ≤ 1.00 % |
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.15 % | ≤ 0.08 % |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.015 % | ≤ 0.045 % |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.015 % | ≤ 0.015 % |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.50 % | – |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | – | – |
Physical Properties Comparison: Nickel 600 vs. AISI 347LN
| Property | Nickel 600 (Annealed) | AISI 347LN (Solution Annealed) |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 8.47 g/cm³ (0.306 lb/in³) | 7.98 g/cm³ (0.288 lb/in³) |
| Melting Range | 1354 - 1413 °C (2469 - 2575 °F) | ~1398 - 1443 °C (2550 - 2630 °F) |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient (20-100°C) | 13.3 × 10⁻⁶ /K | 16.0 × 10⁻⁶ /K |
| Thermal Conductivity (at 100°C) | 14.9 W/(m·K) | 16.2 W/(m·K) |
| Specific Heat Capacity (20°C) | 444 J/(kg·K) | 500 J/(kg·K) |
| Electrical Resistivity | 1.03 μΩ·m | 0.73 μΩ·m |
| Modulus of Elasticity (Young's Modulus) | 214 GPa (31.0 × 10⁶ psi) | 193 GPa (28.0 × 10⁶ psi) |
| Magnetic Permeability (Annealed) | Essentially non-magnetic (~1.01) | Essentially non-magnetic (<1.02) |
| Poisson's Ratio | 0.29 | 0.29 |
Performance Comparison of Aisi 347LN and Nickel 600
Temperature: At extremely high temperatures, Nickel 600 significantly outperforms 347LN, maintaining its strength even when stainless steel experiences a sharp decline in strength.
Corrosion Resistance: Nickel 600 exhibits broader and superior corrosion resistance, especially in reducing/highly corrosive chemical environments.
Cost and Machinability: 347LN is cheaper and easier to machine; Nickel 600 requires specialized tools, resulting in higher costs.
Comparison of 347LN and Nickel 600 Applications
347LN: Aerospace (high-temperature components), chemical processing, furnace components, and other applications requiring high temperature resistance and weldability.
Nickel 600: Nuclear reactors, chemical processing (harsh environments), aerospace (extreme high temperatures), furnace components, and other applications with extreme corrosion/high temperature environments.
Why Choose Gnee as Your Nickel-Based Alloy Supplier
✅ Over 18 years of export experience, products sold to more than 80 countries
✅ Certified by ISO, SGS, and BV
✅ Global inventory of Inconel, Hastelloy, Incoloy, and Monel alloy tubing, plates, and bars
✅ Custom processing services available – including cutting, polishing, CNC machining, and packaging
✅ Fast delivery within 7-15 days, supported by global logistics partners
📦 Packaging and Shipping
All stainless steel products are packaged using the following methods:
Wooden pallets or crates
Moisture-proof packaging
Labels with furnace number, standard, and size labels
Shipped worldwide by sea, air, or express
Gnee Steel is a supplier of Inconel 600 alloy, offering a wide range of products including: seamless pipe (sizes: 4-219 mm; thickness: 0.5-20 mm); welded pipe (sizes: 5.0-1219.2 mm; thickness: 0.5-20 mm); plates (thickness: 0.1 to 100 mm; width: 10-2500 mm); strips; alloy round bars (diameter: 3-800 mm); flat bars (thickness: 2-100 mm; width: 10-500 mm); hexagonal bars (size: 2-100 mm); wire rods; and extruded profiles. We collaborate with steel mills to provide our customers with Inconel 600 alloy products that meet or exceed numerous leading industry standards, including ASTM, ASME, SAE, AMS, ISO, DIN, EN, and BS standards.
Gnee Steel stocks and sells Inconel 600, pipes, plates, strips, round bars, flat bars, forged billets, hexagonal steel, wire rods, and extruded profiles. Please feel free to contact us at ss@gneesteel.com for a quote.
