H11 tool steel vs. Inconel 718 alloy comparison
H11 tool steel vs. Inconel 718 alloy comparison
H11 tool steel is an iron-based alloy known for its high strength and toughness; while Inconel 718 is a nickel-based superalloy with excellent high-temperature strength, corrosion resistance, and creep rupture strength. Inconel 718 is more expensive and more difficult to process due to its higher thermal conductivity and precipitation hardening ability; for applications where high-temperature performance is not a primary requirement, H11 is more cost-effective.
Is Inconel 718 stronger than titanium alloys?
Inconel 718 has a tensile strength of 1,375 MPa, while Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy (the strongest type) has a tensile strength of approximately 1,170 MPa. While this is lower than the strongest Inconel alloy, a broader range of properties may need to be considered when selecting materials.
| Feature | H11 Tool Steel | Inconel 718 |
|---|---|---|
| Material Type | Iron-based tool steel | Nickel-based superalloy |
| Key Strengths | High strength, toughness, wear resistance | High-temperature strength, corrosion resistance, creep-rupture strength (up to 700°C) |
| Typical Uses | Dies, molds, punches, high-stress tooling | Aerospace, gas turbines, rocket motors, nuclear reactors |
| Machinability | Easier to machine, can work-harden | Difficult to machine, can cause high tool wear |
| Cost | Less expensive | More expensive |
| Density | 7.81 g/cm³ | 8.19 g/cm³ |
| Thermal Conductivity | 42 W/m·K (approx.) | 11 W/m·K (approx.) |
Detailed Comparison
1. Composition and Material Classification
H11 Tool Steel: An iron-based alloy rich in chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium, it is a hot-work die steel.
Inconel 718: A nickel-chromium superalloy containing significant amounts of iron, molybdenum, niobium, and titanium, designed specifically for high-temperature performance.
2. Mechanical and Physical Properties
Strength: Both materials have high strength, but Inconel 718 maintains high strength at higher temperatures, exhibiting excellent creep rupture strength up to 700°C. H11 typically has a strength ranging from 690-1840 MPa, while Inconel 718 boasts a tensile strength of up to 1375 MPa at room temperature, with significant strength improvement after aging treatment.
Thermal Properties: Inconel 718 has a much lower thermal conductivity (11 W/m-K) than H11 (42 W/m-K), making it more prone to heat buildup during processing.
Density: H11 has a lower density than Inconel 718, with a density of 7.81 g/cm³, while Inconel 718 has a density of 8.19 g/cm³.
3. Applications and Performance
H11 Tool Steel: Suitable for applications requiring high strength and toughness at moderate temperatures, such as dies and punches.
Inconel 718: Suitable for extreme environments, including aerospace, gas turbines, and rocket engines, where high-temperature strength, corrosion resistance, and creep resistance are critical.
4. Machining and Manufacturing
H11 Tool Steel: Although work hardening occurs during machining, it is generally easier to machine than Inconel 718.
Inconel 718: Due to its high strength and tendency to work harden, it is more difficult to machine, requiring lower machining speeds and specialized tools. Precipitation hardening can also lead to tool wear.
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 GH4169 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 GH4169 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 GH4169, 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.
