The difference between Inconel 601 and 600 Alloy

The difference between Inconel 601 and 600 Alloy
Both Inconel 600 and 601 are nickel-chromium alloys used in high-temperature environments, but Inconel 601 contains added aluminum, giving it significantly better resistance to high-temperature oxidation, spalling, and thermal shock than Inconel 600. Therefore, it is ideal for furnace components and heat exchangers. Inconel 600, on the other hand, is more suitable for general corrosion and chloride stress corrosion cracking environments in chemical processing. Inconel 601 can be understood as an enhanced version of Inconel 600, suitable for higher temperatures and stronger oxidizing environments, and possessing superior creep strength.
What are the differences between Inconel 601 and 600?
Inconel 600 possesses excellent tensile strength and resistance to stress corrosion cracking, making it ideal for high-stress environments. On the other hand, Inconel 601 has slightly lower tensile strength than Inconel 600, but due to its aluminum content, it exhibits superior oxidation resistance.

Standards for Inconel 600 and 601
| Pipe Smls | Pipe Welded | Tube Smls | Tube Welded | Sheet/Plate | Bar | Forging | Fitting | Wire |
| B167 | B517 | B163 | B516 | B168 | B166 | B564 | B366 | - |
| B167 | B517 | B163 | - | B168 | B166 | B564 | B366 | B166 |
What is Inconel 600?
Inconel 600 is a nickel-chromium alloy widely used in various applications requiring corrosion resistance and high-temperature resistance. This alloy possesses excellent mechanical properties and can be fabricated into components for high-temperature and corrosive environments. Inconel 600 is also non-magnetic and has a low coefficient of thermal expansion.
What is Inconel 601?
Inconel 601 is a nickel-chromium-iron alloy widely used in various applications requiring corrosion resistance and high-temperature resistance. This alloy possesses excellent mechanical properties and can be fabricated into components for high-temperature and corrosive environments. Inconel 601 is also non-magnetic and has a low coefficient of thermal expansion.
Chemical composition of Inconel 601 and Inconel 600
| Element | Inconel Alloy 600 | Inconel Alloy 601 |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel (Ni) | 72-76% | 58-63% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14-17% | 22-26% |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance | Balance |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | None | None |
| Carbon (C) | ≤0.15% | ≤0.10% |
| Aluminum (Al) | None | 1.0-1.5% |
Mechanical properties of Inconel 600 and Inconel 601
| Property | Inconel Alloy 600 | Inconel Alloy 601 |
|---|---|---|
| Yield Strength (MPa) | 200 – 310 | 250 – 450 |
| Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa) | 450 – 700 | 550 – 750 |
| Elongation (%) | 30% (min) | 30% (min) |
| Hardness (Rockwell B) | 80-100 | 85-95 |
High-Temperature Performance
| Feature | Inconel Alloy 600 | Inconel Alloy 601 |
|---|---|---|
| Service Temperature | Up to 1,900°F (1,038°C) | Up to 2,100°F (1,149°C) |
| Oxidation Resistance | Good | Excellent |
| Creep Resistance | Moderate | Very good |
Corrosion Resistance
| Corrosion Type | Inconel Alloy 600 | Inconel Alloy 601 |
|---|---|---|
| General Corrosion | Very good | Good |
| Pitting Corrosion | Good | Very good |
| Stress Corrosion Cracking | Moderate | Excellent |
| Acid Resistance | Good in non-oxidizing acids | Excellent, even in high-temperature environments |
Typical applications of Inconel 601 and Inconel 600
| Application Area | Inconel Alloy 600 | Inconel Alloy 601 |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Processing | Heat treating equipment, reactors | Heat exchangers in chemical plants |
| Aerospace | Gas turbine components | High-temperature components |
| Oil and Gas Industry | Oil refining systems | Elevated temperature applications |
| Power Generation | Boiler tubes | Superheaters and reheaters |
| Industrial Furnaces | Furnaces and kiln components | Furnace components for enhanced stability |
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 Inconel 601 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 Inconel 601 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 Inconel 601, 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.






