Incoloy 800 vs SS 310 – What's the Difference
Incoloy 800 vs SS 310 – What's the Difference
Incoloy 800 is a nickel-iron-chromium alloy with a high nickel content (approximately 30-35%), possessing excellent high-temperature strength, oxidation resistance, and carburization resistance. SS 310 (310 stainless steel) is a chromium-nickel stainless steel (24-26% chromium, 19-22% nickel) with excellent heat resistance, but its performance is generally inferior to Incoloy 800 under extreme corrosive or high-stress conditions. The main difference between the two is that Incoloy 800 offers better creep strength and corrosion resistance (e.g., in refinery furnaces), while SS 310 is a robust, cost-effective high-temperature stainless steel suitable for applications where heat resistance requirements are less demanding.
What is the maximum operating temperature of Incoloy 800?
Approximately 1500°F
INCOLOY 800 alloy exhibits high mechanical strength over a wide temperature range. Typically, the 800 alloy is widely used for its strength characteristics at operating temperatures up to approximately 1500°F (816°C). At these temperatures, equipment design is usually based on its tensile properties.
What is Incoloy 800?
Incoloy 800 is a nickel-iron-chromium alloy that exhibits excellent oxidation and carburization resistance in high-temperature environments. It is also known for its good mechanical properties, making it an ideal material for many industrial applications. Incoloy 800 is a versatile alloy designed for applications requiring exceptional corrosion resistance, high strength, and heat resistance. It possesses superior characteristics such as excellent creep rupture strength and outstanding oxidation resistance up to 1050°C (1922°F). This makes it an ideal choice for harsh environments such as petroleum refining.
What is SS310?
SS310 is an austenitic stainless steel composed of nickel, chromium, and manganese. It offers good corrosion resistance and ductility. SS310 has a melting point of 1402-1454°C, making it easy to weld while maintaining excellent strength at high temperatures. The material exhibits strong oxidation resistance in air and inert atmospheres, making it ideal for applications such as cookware or refractory brick linings. Due to its low carbon content, it can also be used in food processing operations, keeping products clean and corrosion-free over extended periods.
Comparison of chemical composition between Incoloy 800 and SS310
| Element | Incoloy 800 (UNS N08800) | Stainless Steel 310 (UNS S31000) |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel (Ni) | 30.0 – 35.0 % | 19.0 – 22.0 % |
| Chromium (Cr) | 19.0 – 23.0 % | 24.0 – 26.0 % |
| Iron (Fe) | ≥ 39.5 % | Balance |
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.10 % | ≤ 0.08 % |
| Aluminum (Al) | 0.15 – 0.60 % | – |
| Titanium (Ti) | 0.15 – 0.60 % | – |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 1.5 % | ≤ 2.0 % |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 1.0 % | ≤ 1.5 % |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.75 % | – |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.015 % | ≤ 0.030 % |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.045 % | ≤ 0.045 % |
| Nitrogen (N) | – | ≤ 0.10 % |
| Al + Ti | 0.30 – 1.20 % | – |
Comparison of mechanical properties between Incoloy 800 and SS310
| Property | Incoloy 800 (Annealed) | Stainless Steel 310 (Annealed) |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (MPa, min) | 450 – 585 | 515 – 620 |
| Yield Strength (0.2% Offset, MPa, min) | 170 – 310 | 205 – 310 |
| Elongation (% in 50 mm, min) | 30 | 40 |
| Hardness (Rockwell B) | 79 – 95 HRB | 95 HRB |
| Hardness (Brinell HB) | 120 – 190 HB | 217 HB |
| Density (g/cm³) | 7.94 | 7.98 |
| Melting Range (°C) | 1350 – 1400 | 1400 – 1450 |
| Modulus of Elasticity (GPa) | 200 | 200 |
| Maximum Service Temperature (Continuous, in Air) | ~1150°C | ~1150°C |
| Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K, at 20°C) | 11.8 | 14.2 |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (×10⁻⁶/K, 20–100°C) | 14.4 | 14.9 |
| Creep Resistance | Very Good | Good |
| Oxidation Resistance | Very Good | Excellent |
| Impact Toughness (Charpy V-Notch, J) | Good | ≥ 100 |
| Fatigue Strength | Good | Good |
Heat Resistance
In terms of heat resistance, Incoloy 800 is a better choice for high-temperature applications. This alloy can withstand temperatures up to 1100°C and is widely used in industrial furnaces, heat exchangers, and chemical equipment. SS310 also has good heat resistance, up to 1150°C. It is commonly used in furnace linings, kilns, and heat treatment baskets.
Strength
Incoloy 800 has excellent high-temperature strength and is often used in heat exchangers and petrochemical applications. Its high nickel content gives it good creep rupture strength, making it suitable for extremely high-temperature environments. SS310 also exhibits good strength at high temperatures due to its high nickel and chromium content.
Corrosion Resistance
Both Incoloy 800 and SS310 have good corrosion resistance. Incoloy 800 is specifically designed to resist corrosion from nitric acid and organic acids. SS310 is resistant to sulfidation, oxidation, and carburization in high-temperature environments.
When to choose which material?
For critical components operating in high-temperature, corrosive, or high-stress environments, such as furnace components, petrochemical processing equipment, and nuclear power systems-applications with extremely demanding requirements for creep strength and service life-Incoloy 800 alloy should be selected.
For less demanding high-temperature applications, such as furnace linings, oven components, and general heat-resistant structures, where cost is a more important consideration than extremely high corrosion resistance, SS 310 stainless steel should be chosen.
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 also supplies custom incoloy 800 products in various sizes and specifications. Please send us your drawings for a quote!
