What is the difference between Inconel 600 and ss310?
Gnee Steel
What is the difference between Inconel 600 and ss310?
Inconel 600 is a high-nickel superalloy suitable for extreme high-temperature/corrosive environments (aerospace, furnaces), offering excellent strength and corrosion resistance, but at a higher cost; while SS310 is an iron-based stainless steel suitable for moderate temperature/oxidizing environments (general industrial applications), offering better cost-effectiveness and formability. The main difference lies in Inconel's nickel-based composition, which allows it to perform exceptionally well under harsh conditions, while SS310 provides good performance at a more economical price for less demanding applications.
Gnee Steel
Is Inconel 600 a type of stainless steel?
Like 314 stainless steel, Inconel 600 is considered a heat-resistant alloy. Its chemical composition allows it to maintain good strength and toughness even when subjected to extreme temperatures. Inconel 600 not only possesses excellent heat resistance, but its chemical composition also enables it to effectively resist corrosion.
Stainless Steel 310 is a high-chromium, high-nickel austenitic stainless steel, characterized by its excellent resistance to oxidation, carburization, and sulfidation at sustained high temperatures up to approximately 1150°C, while maintaining superior high-temperature strength. It is primarily used in environments exposed to extreme high temperatures and corrosive atmospheres, such as high-temperature heat treatment furnace components, industrial burners, heat exchangers, petrochemical cracking tubes, and kiln equipment. It is a specialized stainless steel grade for addressing high-temperature oxidation and thermal fatigue problems, but its corrosion resistance in chloride environments is relatively limited.
Inconel 600 is a nickel-chromium-iron solid-solution strengthened high-temperature alloy, renowned for its exceptional high-temperature oxidation resistance (up to approximately 1150°C), excellent resistance to chloride stress corrosion cracking, and superior stability in alkaline and high-temperature pure water environments. It is widely used in critical applications requiring materials to maintain performance in extreme high temperatures and corrosive media, such as heat treatment equipment, chemical processing, nuclear power plant steam generators, and aerospace. It is a fundamental high-performance nickel-based alloy for demanding operating conditions.
Comparison of the chemical composition of Inconel 600 and stainless steel 310
| Element | Inconel 600 (UNS N06600) | Stainless Steel 310 (UNS S31000) |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel (Ni) | ≥ 72.0 % | 19.0 – 22.0 % |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14.0 – 17.0 % | 24.0 – 26.0 % |
| Iron (Fe) | 6.0 – 10.0 % | Balance |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 1.0 % | ≤ 2.0 % |
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.15 % | ≤ 0.08 % |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.5 % | ≤ 1.5 % |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.5 % | – |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.015 % | ≤ 0.030 % |
| Phosphorus (P) | – | ≤ 0.045 % |
| Nitrogen (N) | – | ≤ 0.10 % |
Comparison of Mechanical Properties between Inconel 600 and Stainless Steel 310
| Property | Inconel 600 | Stainless Steel 310 |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (MPa, min) | 550 – 690 | 515 – 620 |
| Yield Strength (0.2% Offset, MPa, min) | 240 | 205 – 310 |
| Elongation (% in 50 mm, min) | 30 | 40 |
| Hardness (Rockwell B, max) | 90 HRB | 95 HRB |
| Hardness (Brinell, max) | 90 HB | 217 HB |
| Density (g/cm³) | 8.47 | 7.98 |
| Melting Range (°C) | 1370 – 1425 | 1400 – 1450 |
| Modulus of Elasticity (GPa) | 214 | 200 |
| Primary Service Environment | High-temperature oxidation, chlorides, alkalis | High-temperature oxidation, carburization, sulfidation |
| Max Continuous Service Temperature (Air) | ~1100°C | ~1150°C |
Corrosion Resistance of Inconel 600 and Stainless Steel 310
Inconel 600 exhibits excellent corrosion resistance to a variety of acids, alkalis, and other corrosive media. It has strong resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, making it suitable for marine environments. Stainless steel 310 also possesses good corrosion resistance, especially in acidic environments. It can withstand corrosion from sulfuric acid and other strong acids, making it ideal for use in the chemical and petrochemical industries.
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 Inconel 600 products in various sizes and specifications. Please send us your drawings for a quote!
Gnee Steel is a supplier of inconel 600 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 600 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 600, 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.
