What makes INCONEL special?
INCONEL alloys are extremely versatile and can be used in many key industries due to the material's exceptional properties and high performance
When it comes to technically superior and reliable materials for industrial applications, design engineers and manufacturers turn to the INCONEL family of alloys to meet their needs.
These nickel- and chromium-based superalloys have excellent high temperature and corrosion resistance, which makes them particularly attractive. Here, we look at five industrial applications where INCONEL alloys are used.
Aerospace and jet engines
Nickel alloys are a natural choice for the aerospace industry. Engine components, especially, are exposed to high temperatures and pressures. Materials need to be able to withstand this environment and maintain their strength and integrity. Nickel alloys exhibit low expansion at high temperatures, are creep resistant under high stress conditions, and are resistant to corrosion.
For example, INCONEL Alloy 600 is used in jet engines and airframe components such as lock lines, exhaust liners and turbine seals. INCONEL 601 alloy has such high mechanical strength and is easy to process that it can be used in a wide range of aerospace applications.
Oil and gas extraction
One of the key industrial applications for INCONEL alloys is in oil and gas extraction. In this area, design engineers need to consider many factors when selecting materials. Temperatures can be very high and the raw materials being processed or stored are volatile and corrosive.
High-temperature alloys such as INCONEL Alloy 625 are used to separate fluids extracted from LNG production and processing systems. The material has excellent fatigue and thermal fatigue strength, as well as good oxidation resistance, high tensile strength, creep strength and rupture strength and excellent weldability. It is commonly used to line steel delivery pipes in sour gas and gas extraction equipment.
Pollution Control and Waste Disposal
Pollution control and waste disposal are difficult environments and materials require hard work. Some naturally hazardous and corrosive substances require storage, movement and handling. Therefore, alloys used in waste treatment systems must have excellent resistance to oxidizing and reducing acid solutions, as well as the ability to withstand the high temperatures involved in operation without loss of structural integrity or strength.
A useful alloy in this area is INCONEL C-276, which offers excellent corrosion resistance in such environments. It contains a significant amount of molybdenum (15-17%), which makes the alloy particularly resistant to pitting and crevice corrosion. It also maintains a low carbon content, thereby minimizing the precipitation of carbides during welding to ensure it maintains its corrosion resistance in welded structures.
car
Car engines are fragile beasts. They generate a lot of heat but need to be reliable and lightweight. As the automotive industry evolves, engineers are constantly sourcing materials that can keep up with technological advancements and drive the "next big thing" in automotive. In addition to more power and thrust, car engines also need to improve fuel efficiency and control pollution levels – balancing all these requirements is no easy task.
Therefore, the right materials are crucial. This is another place where INCONEL 625 alloy comes in, it's a versatile material. For example, high-performance cars and supercars often use this nickel alloy as exhaust fittings. INCONEL alloys are also used in ignition systems, sensors, safety devices and electrical switchgear.
shipbuilding industry
INCONEL alloys have many seawater applications. For example, on offshore platforms, or in power plants and process plants that use seawater as coolant. Seawater systems are highly corrosive environments, but it is essential to use materials that do not degrade under these conditions.
INCONEL alloys perform well in these extreme conditions. For example, the most popular INCONEL alloy 625 is used in wire ropes, propeller blades, propulsion motors and subsea communications cable jacketing. Other uses for the INCONEL family of alloys include downhole equipment, platform risers, hangers and high-strength fasteners.
Chat with a member of our sales team today to learn more about INCONEL alloy family applications.
