Nickel alloy · Ni-Cr-Fe · UNS N06600 · W.Nr. 2.4816
Inconel 600: high-nickel alloy for heat and chloride resistance
In short: Inconel 600 (Alloy 600) is a nickel-chromium-iron alloy with at least 72% nickel. The nickel makes it virtually immune to chloride stress corrosion cracking; the chromium resists oxidation and sulphur compounds at high temperature. It is used from cryogenic service to above 1095 °C in furnaces, heat treating and chemical plants.
Overview
Inconel 600 in brief
- ≥ 72% nickel: immune to chloride SCC
- Oxidation resistance to about 1,100 °C
- Good resistance to caustic alkalis
- Non-magnetic, readily fabricated and welded
With at least 72% nickel and 14–17% chromium, Alloy 600 is the reference Ni-Cr alloy. The high nickel makes it virtually immune to chloride-ion stress corrosion cracking and gives good resistance to caustic alkalis. The chromium provides oxidation and sulphur resistance at high temperature.
It's used for furnace components, heat-treatment muffles and retorts, chemical processing, nuclear steam-generator applications (historically) and food processing. It isn't age-hardenable; strength comes from solid-solution alloying and cold work.
Available as
Inconel 600 product forms
Select a form for its specification, sizes and weights.
Where it's used
Industries that specify Inconel 600
Nickel and chromium
What each element does in Alloy 600
The producer's own description is concise: nickel for corrosion resistance and chloride SCC immunity, chromium for sulphur and oxidation resistance.[1]
- Nickel ≥ 72%
- Resists many organic and inorganic compounds; virtually immune to chloride-ion stress corrosion cracking.
- Chromium 14–17%
- Resists sulphur compounds and oxidising conditions at high temperature.
- Iron 6–10%
- Balance element; keeps cost below pure nickel.
- Strengthening
- Cold work only; it is not precipitation hardenable.
Chemistry
Composition of Inconel 600
- UNS
- N06600
- EN / W.Nr.
- 2.4816 · NiCr15Fe
- Density
- 8.47 g/cm³
| Element | Limit, % | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Ni | 72.0 min | 72% minimum |
| Cr | 14.0 – 17.0 | 14–17% |
| Fe | 6.0 – 10.0 | 6–10% |
| C | 0.15 max | |
| Mn | 1.00 max | |
| S | 0.015 max | |
| Si | 0.50 max | |
| Cu | 0.50 max |
Limits per ASTM B168; other product forms and specifications differ slightly. Your order's specification and edition govern.
Applications
From heat-treat shops to chemical plants
For hot, concentrated caustic soda, pure nickel such as Nickel 201 is often preferred; tell us the service and we'll advise.
Mechanical properties
Annealed room-temperature values
ASTM B168 (annealed): room-temperature specification values for the annealed condition.
Supply
Inconel 600 by product form
| Product form | Specification and designation |
|---|---|
| Inconel 600 pipes | ASTM B167 / ASME SB167 |
| Inconel 600 tubes | ASTM B163 / B167 |
| Inconel 600 plates | ASTM B168 / ASME SB168 |
| Inconel 600 sheets | ASTM B168 |
| Inconel 600 coils | ASTM B168 |
| Inconel 600 bars | ASTM B166 / ASME SB166 |
| Inconel 600 fittings | ASTM B366 WPNCI |
| Inconel 600 flanges | ASTM B564 N06600 |
| Inconel 600 bolts | ASTM B166 bar stock |
| Inconel 600 nuts | ASTM B166 bar stock |
| Inconel 600 washers | ASTM B168 |
- Product specification per form (B167, B168, B166, B564)
- Annealed condition
- Service: oxidation, chloride or caustic, so we can confirm 600 is the right alloy
- Cold-worked or annealed for tube
- Matching nickel-alloy filler
Ordering
What to put on an order for Inconel 600
Getting these on the enquiry avoids the usual back-and-forth and makes sure the certificate matches your specification.
Inconel 600 questions
Answers about Inconel 600
What is Inconel 600 used for?
Heat-treating retorts, muffles and fixtures, furnace parts, chemical equipment such as fatty-acid heaters and sodium sulphide evaporators, and nuclear and aerospace components. Its service range runs from cryogenic to above 1095 °C.[1]
Is Inconel 600 resistant to chloride stress corrosion cracking?
Its high nickel content makes it virtually immune to chloride-ion stress corrosion cracking, which is a key reason it replaces austenitic stainless steels in hot chloride service.[1]
Can Inconel 600 be hardened?
Not by heat treatment. It is strengthened only by cold work.[1] For high strength by ageing, alloys such as Inconel 718 are used.
Inconel 600 or Incoloy 800?
600 has much more nickel (≥ 72% against 30–35%), giving better chloride SCC and oxidation resistance at higher cost. Incoloy 800 is the economical choice for many heat-exchanger and furnace parts. Compare Inconel 600 vs Incoloy 800.
Which specifications cover Inconel 600?
Pipe and tube: ASTM B167 / ASME SB167, ASTM B163 / B167. Plate: ASTM B168 / ASME SB168. Bar: ASTM B166 / ASME SB166.
Sources
References
Inconel® is a trademark of Special Metals Corporation. Composition and properties per the cited specifications.
Need Inconel 600?
Send form, size, quantity and specification. We supply pipe, tube, plate, bar and fittings with 3.1 certificates.