Inconel and Incoloy are alloys that fall under the same family of superalloys and are often referred to as high performance. In addition to offering high resistance to various forms of corrosion, both superalloys exhibit superior oxidation resistance. The mechanical strength exhibited by both superalloys at elevated temperatures is very high. A combination of these factors is what makes both the alloys a high performance type. Since they belong to the same family, their properties are similar, yet the difference in their composition is what separates them. The most crucial dissent between both Inconel 800 and Incoloy 800 lies in their composition. Inconel 800, is an alloy whose chemical composition predominantly consists of nickel and chromium. Typically, the chemistry of this alloy contains over 50% nickel. On the other hand, Incoloy 800 is an alloy whose primary constitution is made up of nickel, iron, and chromium. This particular alloy, unlike the former, has less than 50% nickel content in its chemical composition. Aside from their chemical makeup, the other points of distinction for both the alloys are their use in a specific set of applications or industries.
Inconel 800 vs Incoloy 800
Incoloy 800 is an alloy with a higher content of iron. Due to the alloy having a higher content of ferrous, and lower content of nickel, the cost of Inconel 800 becomes low. And because it is an economical option, the alloy is considered to be an ideal material for applications that are involved in elevated temperature. Despite being used at an elevated temperature, the applications that use this alloy tend to be less critical ones. The alloy is relatively easy to fabricate. Thus, manufacturers may use the same machines and processes techniques that are associated with the processing of stainless steel alloys. The emphasis of this alloy is placed on the fact that it is more resistant to aggressive forms of corrosion. In particular, Incoloy 800 shows very high resistance to corrosive compounds seen in aqueous environments. The inclusion of chromium in combination with nickel in its chemistry makes it resilient to chemical and environmental corrosion. The alloy also exhibits resistance to physical deterioration, e.g. - surface pitting and cracking. Incoloy 800 is a popular choice in the oil and gas industries because it can withstand sour gas and high chloride environments. The alloy exhibits excellent resistance to seawater and brine, making it well suited to marine applications. Incoloy 800 may be also used for applications such as wet scrubbing, and the reactive atmospheres of furnaces as well as in industries like nuclear fuel.
Inconel 800, whose chemistry forms over 50% of nickel is known to be more expensive than the former. Nickel is a costly commodity, which is why its use in an alloy elevates its cost. When heated, Inconel 800 forms a thick yet stable oxide layer. This thick layer is known to protect the outer surface of the Inconel 800 component from further attack. This phenomenon is the reason why manufacturers recommend using Inconel 800 for extreme temperature and high pressure applications. In such extreme conditions, metals or alloys such as steel and aluminum would succumb to thermal creep. Typical applications of Inconel 800 include the food and beverage industry, in addition to being used for heat treatment components. Due to its high strength and stiffness properties, Inconel 800 is an alloy that is ideal for demanding applications including the marine engineering, aerospace, and chemical processing industries.
