The differences between Incoloy 800H and Inconel 601 materials
Incoloy 800H (iron-nickel-chromium alloy) is known for its good creep strength, moderate high-temperature resistance (up to approximately 1500°F/816°C, with an iron base), and ease of processing. Inconel 601 (nickel-chromium-aluminum alloy), due to its higher nickel and aluminum content, possesses superior high-temperature oxidation resistance and strength, making it more suitable for high-temperature, more corrosive environments, although it is also more expensive. The core difference between the two lies in their base composition: Incoloy 800H has an iron-rich base (lower cost, better creep performance), while Inconel 601 uses a nickel-rich, aluminum-enhanced composition (higher strength, superior resistance to extreme temperatures and oxidation).
What are the characteristics of Inconel 601 alloy?
A prominent feature of INCONEL 601 alloy is its excellent resistance to high-temperature oxidation. In addition, this alloy also possesses good resistance to aqueous corrosion, high mechanical strength, and is easy to form, machine, and weld.
Alloy 800 is an iron-nickel-chromium alloy with moderate strength and good oxidation and carburization resistance at high temperatures. It is particularly suitable for high-temperature equipment in the petrochemical industry because this alloy does not form the embrittling sigma phase after prolonged exposure at 1200°F (649°C). Another important characteristic of Alloy 800 is its excellent resistance to chloride stress corrosion cracking.
Alloy 800H is a solution heat-treated (2100°F/1150°C) version of Alloy 800 with controlled carbon content, offering higher high-temperature performance. It exhibits higher creep and stress rupture properties in the temperature range of 1100°F (593°C) to 1800°F (982°C).
Inconel 601 alloy (UNS N06601) is a nickel-chromium-iron based solid solution strengthened alloy with a main composition of 58-63% nickel, 21-25% chromium, and the balance iron, with a carbon content of ≤0.1%. It has a density of 8.1 g/cm³ and a melting point range of 1320-1370°C.
This alloy exhibits excellent high-temperature oxidation resistance below 1180°C, maintains good thermal strength and ductility below 700°C, and has high creep rupture strength above 500°C. It supports cold working strengthening and connection processes such as resistance welding, fusion welding, and brazing. In terms of mechanical properties, the annealed tensile strength is ≥650 N/mm², the solution-treated tensile strength is ≥600 N/mm², and the elongation is ≥30%. It is mainly used in heat treatment fixtures, industrial radiant tubes, catalytic grids for ammonia reformers, combustion chambers of waste incinerators, and industrial furnace wire mesh belts.
Chemical composition of Incoloy 800 and Inconel 601 Alloy
| Element | Incoloy 800H (UNS N08810) | Inconel 601 (UNS N06601) |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel (Ni) | 30.0 – 35.0 % | 58.0 – 63.0 % |
| Chromium (Cr) | 19.0 – 23.0 % | 21.0 – 25.0 % |
| Iron (Fe) | ≥ 39.5 % | Balance |
| Carbon (C) | 0.05 – 0.10 % | ≤ 0.10 % |
| Aluminum (Al) | 0.15 – 0.60 % | 1.0 – 1.7 % |
| Titanium (Ti) | 0.15 – 0.60 % | ≤ 0.15 % |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 1.5 % | ≤ 1.0 % |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 1.0 % | ≤ 0.5 % |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.75 % | ≤ 1.0 % |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.015 % | ≤ 0.015 % |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.045 % | – |
| Al + Ti | 0.30 – 1.20 % | – |
| Nitrogen (N) | – | – |
Inconel 601 (UNS N06601)
Composition: High nickel (>60%), chromium, aluminum, iron.
Incoloy 800H (UNS N08810)
Composition: Iron-nickel-chromium alloy (approximately 40% nickel content), with added carbon, aluminum, and titanium to improve strength.
Advantages of Inconel 601 and Incoloy 800H
| Feature / Advantage | Incoloy 800H | Inconel 601 |
|---|---|---|
| High-Temperature Strength | Good strength up to ~1150°C | Excellent strength up to ~1250°C |
| Oxidation Resistance | Very good | Excellent (due to high Al content) |
| Carburization Resistance | Good | Very good |
| Thermal Fatigue Resistance | Good | Excellent |
| Creep Resistance | Very good | Excellent |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good in oxidizing and sulfidizing atmospheres | Good in oxidizing, chlorinating, and nitriding environments |
| Weldability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Formability & Workability | Good | Good |
Inconel 601 (UNS N06601)
Main advantages: Excellent high-temperature strength, superior resistance to high-temperature oxidation, and good mechanical strength.
Incoloy 800H (UNS N08810)
Main advantages: High creep rupture strength, good resistance to carburization, stress corrosion cracking, and aqueous corrosion, and easy machinability (similar to stainless steel).
Applications of Inconel 601 and Incoloy 800H
| Field / Application | Incoloy 800H | Inconel 601 |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Furnaces | Radiant tubes, muffles, furnace rolls, conveyor belts | Radiant tubes, annealing boxes, sintering trays, kiln furniture |
| Heat Exchangers & Boilers | Heat exchanger tubes, superheater tubes, boiler headers | Heat exchanger tubes, boiler components, waste heat recovery systems |
| Chemical Processing | Steam reformer tubes, cracking furnace tubes, pyrolysis tubes | Catalyst support grids, reactor internals, chlorination equipment |
| Power Generation | Steam piping, superheater supports, nuclear steam generator tubing (secondary side) | Combustor liners, gas turbine components, heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) tubing |
| Petrochemical & Refining | Hydrocracking units, reformer tubes, ethylene furnace tubes | Ethylene furnace tubes, reformer supports, thermal oxidizer internals |
| Aerospace & Gas Turbines | Combustor liners, exhaust ducts, afterburner components | Combustion chambers, afterburner liners, turbine seals, exhaust systems |
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 800H products in various sizes and specifications. Please send us your drawings for a quote!
