1.Oil & Gas Extraction
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.
2.Heat Treat Applications
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.
3.Rapid Temperature Changes
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.
4.Saltwater Applications
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. So, when would Inconel be considered preferable?
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.
