Is Inconel 600 ferromagnetic?
Inconel and Monel
Both Inconel and Monel are nickel-containing alloys. However, in addition to nickel as the primary alloying agent, they also contain other elements as minor alloying agents. For example, Monel consists of copper, which accounts for 30% to 40% of its total weight. Whereas Inconel contains chromium as its minor alloying agent. In terms of its properties, Monel is rated as a medium-performance alloy compared to the high-performance Inconel alloys that contain nickel. Several Inconel alloys are also known as superalloys because of their excellent corrosion resistance and their ability to outperform several conventional alloys at elevated temperatures. Monel is a solid solution binary metal while Inconel is an austenitic superalloy.
Price of Inconel vs Monel
Compared to Monel, the price of Inconel is very high. The high content of nickel and chromium in the alloy makes the metal expensive. Since both alloys contain nickel, their prices are much higher compared to stainless steel alloys. However, market fluctuations coupled with the fact that nickel is a commodity metal make them expensive. Due to the higher nickel content in some Inconel alloys, these alloys will cost more than some Monel alloys.
Nickel Content in Inconel and Monel
Both alloys are available in multiple grades. The difference in their chemical composition leads to their grades. Having said that, the nickel content in Inconel alloys ranges from 44.2% to over 72%. While the composition depends on the nickel addition. For example, Inconel 600 contains over 72% nickel while grade 617 contains between 44.2% to 61% nickel. On the other hand, the nickel content in Monel alloys ranges from 52% to 67%, which is also the reason why they cost less than Inconel alloys.
Differences between Inconel and Monel Corrosion Resistance
While both alloys offer excellent corrosion resistance, the copper content in Monel gives it excellent resistance to seawater or salt spray. While Inconel also has the ability to withstand seawater, it is too expensive for marine engineering applications. However, due to its higher nickel content, Inconel is able to withstand high temperature settings, which Monel cannot do. Monel grades have limited tolerance to high temperatures. In addition to marine environments, Monel can also be used in environments containing hydrofluoric and sulfuric acids. In addition, they are also resistant to alkalis and harsher acids. Inconel is excellent in preventing oxidative corrosion.
Melting Points of Inconel and Monel Alloys
Since Inconel and Monel are alloys, they do not have a specific melting point but a melting range. The melting range of Inconel alloy is in the temperature range of 2500 – 2600°F while the melting temperature range of Monel is between 2372 – 2462°F.
Density of Inconel and Monel
The density of Monel is 8.8 gm/cm3 while the density of Inconel, which is lighter than Monel, is 8.22 g/cm3
Heat Treatment of Monel and Inconel
Inconel is usually treated by solution annealing combined with aging. This combination is considered ideal as the mechanical properties and stress rupture properties of the alloy are significantly improved. On the other hand, Monel is heat treated by annealing.
Difference between Hardness of Inconel and Monel
The hardness of the two alloys will vary under different conditions. For example, the hardness of Monel in the annealed state is lower compared to the hot worked or cold drawn state. The same is true for Inconel. However, the hardness of Monel is much lower compared to Inconel.
Inconel and Monel Temperature Range
While Monel can function in sub-zero temperatures, these alloys cannot be used at elevated temperatures above 1000°F. Similar to Monel, Inconel can perform well at low temperatures. However, due to the higher nickel content in the alloy, most Inconel alloys perform well at elevated temperatures of around 1200°F to 2200°F, which is almost twice as high as Monel.
