1.Work hardening
– Inconel 601 work hardens very rapidly during cold deformation.
– This means that after a small amount of cold work (e.g., 5–10% reduction), the material becomes significantly harder and stronger, requiring higher forces for further deformation.
– Without intermediate annealing, continued cold working may lead to cracking.
2.Ductility and formability
– Inconel 601 has good ductility in the solution-annealed condition, allowing limited cold working such as bending, drawing, or forming.
– However, its formability is considerably lower than 316L, especially for complex shapes or deep drawing.
3.Recommended cold working practices
– Cold working should be performed in small increments to avoid excessive strain.– Intermediate annealing at 1050–1150°C (1920–2100°F) followed by rapid cooling is often necessary to restore ductility.
– Proper lubrication is essential to reduce friction and prevent galling.
4.Applications where cold working is used
– Inconel 601 is occasionally cold worked for making small components, springs, or parts requiring a higher strength level than the solution-annealed condition.
– However, due to its limitations, hot working or machining is generally preferred for most structural components.
In conclusion:
Inconel 601 can be cold worked to a limited extent, but it is not as suitable for extensive cold forming as 316L.
Its high work hardening rate and lower formability mean that cold working must be carefully controlled with intermediate annealing steps.
