What is the difference between Inconel and Incoloy?
Inconel alloy and Incoloy alloy
Composition is the most critical difference between these two high-temperature alloys. Inconel is a nickel-chromium alloy containing primarily 50% nickel. Incoloy is a nickel-iron-chromium alloy containing less than 50% nickel. Other differences between these alloys lie in their specific applications and suitability. Let's look at each briefly.
Inconel
Inconel is ideal for extreme pressure and temperature applications. They are suitable for use in situations where steel and aluminum may fail due to thermal creep. When heated, Inconel forms a thick, stable oxide layer that protects the surface from further erosion. When alloyed with other materials, you can strengthen and harden the alloy so that it can be used in the most demanding applications.
Typical industries for Inconel include food, marine, aerospace, thermal and chemical processing as well as petrochemicals, pollution control, aerospace and nuclear energy.
Key properties of Inconel include:
Good acid resistance (sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid and hydrochloric acid)
Almost completely free from chloride-induced stress and corrosion cracking
Excellent mechanical properties at both very low and high temperatures
Excellent resistance to pitting corrosion, crevice corrosion and intergranular corrosion
High oxidation resistance at high temperatures
Inconel is the "go-to" material for the most demanding environments. It comes in different grades, each exhibiting varying properties but with slightly different chemical compositions.
Inconel
Incoloy alloys have higher iron content and lower cost than Inconel alloys. Standard Incoloy alloys work well at high temperatures in less demanding applications. They are also easier to manufacture than Inconel. You can use the same machining and processing techniques as for stainless steel. Incoloy is available in a variety of grades with a focus on providing increased corrosion resistance in a variety of applications.
Typical industries include oil and gas, chemical processing, energy, aircraft and marine. These alloys offer excellent resistance to seawater, brines, acid gases and high chlorides, making them an excellent choice for oil and gas applications. .
The characteristics of Incoloy alloy are as follows:
Excellent strength resistance in high temperature environments
Excellent anti-oxidation and anti-carburization properties in high temperature environments
Good creep rupture strength
Good corrosion resistance in aqueous environments
Easy to manufacture and process
Alloyed with other materials, they have good resistance to chemical and environmental corrosion as well as physical deterioration. However, the most specialized Incoloy alloys offer greater resistance to the harshest chemical environments. They are ideally suited for acid, wet scrubbing, nuclear fuel and reactive atmosphere applications.
