What temperature does Inconel melt?
Inconel is a material that is specifically optimized for some of the toughest use conditions to be found in manufacturing. Even compared to stainless steel, Inconel has an incredibly high tolerance for extreme heat, and doesn't lose as much tensile strength at 2,000°F as most varieties of steel.
However, Inconel is an expensive material, one which is best reserved for the right use conditions where other materials won't work as well. With this in mind, here is an explanation of Inconel's properties, as well as a few examples of uses where Inconel would be preferred over most formulations of stainless steel:
How Strong is Inconel?
When determining strength, tensile strength, corrosion resistance, and even melt resistance can be measured. Inconel 625 has a high tensile strength range of 103 - 160 ksi compared to the 73.2 ksi of stainless steel and can maintain that strength at higher operating temperatures.
Though exact measurements vary, reported statistics state the range of the Inconel melting point between 2,350°F and 2,460°F (1,290°C and 1,350°C). While the Inconel melting point is lower than that of stainless steel, Inconel 625 is stronger than stainless steel at high temperatures while being more resistant to oxidation and scaling as well.
Inconel is considered a superalloy due to being well suited for extreme pressure and heat environments as well as being corrosion resistant. However, stainless steel alloys are often more suitable for sterile manufacturing or medical applications. A superalloy like Inconel tends to be better for heat treating applications and other high-temperature processes.
What is Inconel 625 Used For?
In the high-nickel superalloy Inconel family, Inconel 625 is between Inconel 330 and 600 when it comes to nickel content. This combination, along with columbium and molybdenum, allows for this type of Inconel melting point to be very high and perform well in high heat. Inconel 625 is especially resistant to chloride pitting, fatigue stress, and has a particularly high creep rupture strength and high oxalic resistance. Additionally, Inconel 625 is very easy to weld when compared to other Inconel variations.
Due to its high chemical and temperature resistant qualities, the superalloy Inconel 625 can be used in a variety of applications, including jet engine exhausts, flare stacks, seawater equipment, and chemical plant equipment.
What is the Difference between Monel and Inconel?
Monel is another metal consisting of a nickel-copper alloy. Like Inconel, which is a nickel-chromium alloy, Monel can be used in extreme conditions with high heat.
Monel metal consists of a group of nickel alloys that have a strong corrosion resistance to chemicals, heat, and other agents including seawater. Created at the turn of the 20th century, Monel has been used in applications ranging from aerospace applications during the Space Race to the World War dog tags. The nickel alloy is still used extensively today but is more expensive than most other alloys.
Since Inconel is a nickel and chromium alloy, it's resistant to oxidation and is ideal for jobs with different gasses and large temperature discrepancies. Applications in the oil and gas extraction, aerospace, and medical industries would be better suited for Inconel®. In comparison, Monel's copper additive provides it enhanced corrosion resistance and makes it particularly strong against sea water as well as hydrochloric and sulfuric acids.
Additionally, Monel 's strengths make it ideal for saltwater as applications as well as chemical processing applications. When compared to the Inconel melting point, Monel 's melting point range is very similar at 2370-2460° F.
