What is Inconel 718（UNS N07718 2.4668) Nickel alloy?

 

 

What is Inconel 718(UNS N07718 2.4668) Nickel alloy?

Inconel 718 is a precipitation-age-hardening nickel-iron-chromium superalloy reinforced by niobium, molybdenum, titanium and aluminum. It is categorized as a heat-treatable high-performance alloy, which can achieve significantly improved tensile strength, yield strength and hardness through standard solution annealing and aging heat treatment processes.

 

Covering an ultra-wide service temperature range from-270°C cryogenic environment to 700°C high-temperature working conditions, Inconel 718 maintains stable mechanical properties without brittle fracture, creep deformation or fatigue failure. Its outstanding weldability and post-weld structural stability make it irreplaceable for manufacturing complex high-precision structural components, aero-engine parts, downhole oil tools and power generation equipment.

Not sure whether Inconel 718 fits your working conditions or project specifications? Send us your equipment parameters, temperature range and processing requirements, and our technical team will provide a one-to-one professional material selection solution and accurate quotation.

Contact us for the latest export price quote for 718 Alloy

Inconel 718 is the most widely used precipitation hardening nickel-chromium superalloy in the aerospace, power generation, and oil & gas industries. Uniquely balanced among high-temperature strength, cryogenic toughness, fatigue resistance, and weldability, Inconel 718 (UNS N07718, W.Nr 2.4668) outperforms conventional solution-strengthened nickel alloys and common stainless steels.

Unlike Inconel 625, which focuses primarily on corrosion resistance, Inconel 718 is engineered forextreme mechanical strength and long-term structural stability under dynamic temperature and pressure loads. For engineers and procurement teams selecting materials for high-pressure, high-temperature, and cryogenic service, Inconel 718 is the industry-standard reliable solution.

Standard compliance is the core basis for project acceptance and material qualification verification. All qualified Inconel 718 products must strictly comply with the following international authoritative specifications:

• UNS Grade: N07718
• European Material Number: 2.4668
• Main ASTM Standards: ASTM B637 (bars, forgings), ASTM B670 (sheet, plate)
• Aerospace Standards: AMS 5596, AMS 5597, AMS 5662, AMS 5663
• EN Standard: EN 2.4668

Our full range of Inconel 718 products strictly follows the above standards, supporting third-party inspection and full material traceability to meet EPC, aerospace and petrochemical project acceptance requirements.

Inconel 718 has two typical service states with obvious performance differences, which can be flexibly selected according to project processing and usage requirements:

Solution-annealed 718 is suitable for subsequent bending, machining and complex forming; aged 718 is used for final high-strength structural components. We can customize heat treatment status and precision processing according to your design needs to meet different mechanical performance indicators.

Inconel 718 has irreplaceable comprehensive advantages in high-end industrial equipment manufacturing, and its core performance highlights are as follows:

Most procurement engineers confuse 718 and 625. The core selection logic is clear and industry-recognized:

• Inconel 625 (Solution Strengthened): Core advantage is extreme corrosion resistance, suitable for chemical mixed acid, high-chloride salt water, FGD desulfurization and harsh corrosion heat exchanger scenarios, with conventional mechanical strength.

• Inconel 718 (Precipitation Hardened): Core advantage is ultra-high structural strength & high-temperature creep resistance, suitable for high-pressure load, dynamic fatigue, ultra-low temperature and high-temperature structural equipment, with conventional corrosion resistance.

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Still confused about material selection? Contact us to get professional scenario-based material comparison suggestions to avoid wrong selection causing equipment failure and project loss.

Inconel 718 has unique processing characteristics, and standardized heat treatment and processing technology are the key to exerting its ultimate performance:

• Heat Treatment Process: Standard process is 980°C solution annealing + 720°C aging treatment, which can maximize structural strength while maintaining good toughness.
• Welding Performance: It can be welded in the solution state, with stable weld seam, no sensitization, no intergranular cracking, and the weld area can also achieve high strength after aging treatment.
• Machinability: Solution-annealed 718 has good machining performance; aged high-hardness state requires professional high-precision cutting technology to ensure dimensional accuracy.

Relying on its ultra-high strength and wide temperature stability, Inconel 718 is widely used in high-end precision manufacturing fields with strict performance requirements:

• Aerospace: Aero-engine turbine discs, blades, combustion chamber components, rocket structural parts
• Oil & Gas: Downhole drilling tools, high-pressure wellhead components, sour gas service parts
• Cryogenic Industry: Liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen ultra-low temperature storage and structural parts
• Mechanical Manufacturing: High-pressure valves, precision shafts, high-load fasteners, mold components

Aerospace

Oil & Gas

Cryogenic Industry

Mechanical Manufacturing

We supply full-series Inconel 718 finished and semi-finished products to meet diversified processing and engineering installation demands, covering mainstream specifications for global industrial procurement.

Product Forms		Detailed Specifications & Application Features
Sheet & Plate		Hot-rolled / cold-rolled sheets, thick and thin plates with custom cutting service. Mainly used for equipment shells and high-load structural parts.
Pipe & Tube		Seamless tubes, welded tubes and precision capillary tubes. Suitable for high-pressure and high-temperature fluid pipeline systems.
Bar & Rod		Round bars, square bars, flat bars and forged bars. Widely applied in shafts, fasteners and mechanical structural components.
Wire		Fine cold-drawn wires and welding wires, supporting precision manufacturing and professional welding construction.
Pipe Fittings		Custom forged elbows, flanges, tees and reducers for high-temperature and high-pressure piping engineering.

The price of Inconel 718 nickel-based superalloy fluctuates with nickel raw material price, product form, specification, heat treatment state and order quantity. Below is the latest ex-factory reference price for bulk orders (for quotation reference only, final price subject to formal order confirmation).

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Note: Prices are bulk EXW reference prices. Small orders, special heat treatment, precision machining and ultra-thick/ultra-thin non-standard sizes will cause price differences. Contact us for real-time accurate quotation. 

Many high-end equipment failures are caused by insufficient material structural performance. Inconel 718 perfectly solves the industry pain points of conventional alloys:

• Solve high-temperature creep deformation and permanent failure of structural parts
• Eliminate fatigue cracking of components under long-term cyclic dynamic load
• Avoid low-temperature brittle fracture of ultra-low temperature equipment
• Prevent welding cracking and structural instability of precision parts

As a professional manufacturer and supplier of Inconel 718 nickel alloy products, we focus on high-standard customized supporting services for high-end industrial projects, with core advantages that meet customer procurement needs:

• Full Pre-Shipment Precision Inspection: Every batch of Inconel 718 products undergoes strict pre-delivery inspection. We use high-precision handheld spectrometers for full-area PMI multi-point testing to verify compliance with UNS N07718 standards. Professional calipers, micrometers and laser measuring tools are applied for one-by-one dimensional calibration to ensure zero-tolerance size accuracy.
• Professional Surface & Defect Treatment: All workpieces receive standardized polishing to remove burrs, oxide layers and processing marks for smooth surface quality. We conduct full-coverage ultrasonic (UT) and eddy current (ET) testing to detect internal cracks, pores and tiny defects, eliminating potential operational quality risks.
• Export-Grade Protective Packaging: To adapt to long-distance sea and land transportation, each product is wrapped with anti-oxidation and anti-scratch protective film. Workpieces are fixed with internal braces in fumigated wooden crates to prevent displacement and extrusion deformation. All crates are strapped and marked with standard shipping labels for safe delivery.
• Complete Documents & On-Time Delivery: We sort complete inspection reports, PMI certificates and packing lists before shipment to support full material traceability and smooth project acceptance. Standard delivery schedules are strictly followed. Real-time tracking information will be promptly forwarded after cargo departure.
• Precision Custom Processing & Heat Treatment: Custom solution annealing and aging heat treatment is implemented with precise temperature control to stabilize mechanical properties. All cutting, bending and turning processes are finished by CNC equipment with whole-process monitoring to meet personalized structural and strength requirements.

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Need customized sizes, special heat treatment requirements or batch quotation? Submit your detailed demands, and we will provide a no-obligation accurate quote within 24 hours.

FAQ:

Is Inconel 718 the same as nickel alloy 718?

Yes, Inconel 718 and nickel alloy 718 refer to the exact same material.

Why is Inconel 718 so expensive?

Inconel 718 is expensive because it uses high concentrations of expensive raw metals, requires complex manufacturing processes, and is extremely difficult to machine.

What is the difference between Inconel and nickel alloy?

Pure nickel is a versatile, elemental metal, whereas Inconel is a trademarked family of nickel-chromium superalloys engineered for extreme heat and high-stress environments.