Corrosion Resistant Inconel 600 Seamless Pipe High Temperature Nickel Chromium Alloy
Inconel 600 (UNS N06600, W.Nr. 2.4816, Alloy 600) is a standard engineering material that has proven itself across industries for over half a century. This nickel-chromium alloy delivers an exceptional combination of high temperature strength (up to 2000°F / 1093°C), excellent corrosion resistance, and superior workability.
Unlike many high-performance alloys, Inconel 600 is not precipitation hardenable – it is strengthened only by cold work. This characteristic, combined with its stable austenitic structure, makes it highly fabricable and resistant to chloride-ion stress-corrosion cracking. From cryogenic tanks to furnace components, from chemical reactors to nuclear reactor cores, Alloy 600 remains the trusted choice for applications demanding reliability across a wide temperature range
| Industry | Applications |
|---|---|
| Chemical Processing | Heaters, stills, bubble towers, condensers (fatty acids); evaporator tubes & tube sheets (sodium sulfide); equipment for abietic acid (paper pulp) |
| Heat Treating | Retorts, muffles, roller hearths, furnace baskets, trays, and other furnace components |
| Aerospace | Lock wire, exhaust liners, turbine seals, engine & airframe components |
| Electronics | Cathode-ray tube spiders, thyratron grids, tube support members, springs |
| Nuclear | Reactor core components (Alloy 600T), high-purity water systems |
| General Industrial | Cryogenic tankage, thermocouple sheaths, heat exchangers |
The unique properties of Inconel 600 derive from its high nickel content (72% minimum) combined with chromium. This balance provides resistance to both reducing (nickel) and oxidizing (chromium) environments.
| Element | Content (%) | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel (Ni) | 72.0 min | Base element – provides resistance to reducing conditions, alkaline solutions, and chloride-ion SCC |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14.0 – 17.0 | Provides resistance to oxidizing conditions, sulfur compounds, and high-temperature oxidation |
| Iron (Fe) | 6.0 – 10.0 | Adds structural stability and cost-effectiveness |
| Carbon (C) | 0.15 max | Controlled for carbide formation at elevated temperatures |
| Manganese (Mn) | 1.0 max | Deoxidizer and grain refiner |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.50 max | Enhances oxidation resistance |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.50 max | Trace element – controlled for corrosion resistance |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.015 max | Controlled for hot workability |
*For nuclear applications (Alloy 600T), tighter controls on cobalt, boron, and other trace elements are applied – contact us for nuclear-grade certification.*
Inconel 600 is supplied in the annealed condition (solution treated) for optimal corrosion resistance and fabricability. Cold-worked tempers (¼ hard, ½ hard, full hard) are available for wire and strip applications requiring higher strength.
| Product Form | Condition | Tensile Strength (KSI / MPa) | Yield Strength 0.2% Offset (KSI / MPa) | Elongation (%) | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rod & Bar | Annealed | 80 – 100 (550 – 690) | 25 – 50 (170 – 345) | 55 – 35 | 65 – 85 HRB |
| Plate (Hot Rolled) | Annealed | 80 – 100 (550 – 725) | 30 – 50 (205 – 345) | 55 – 35 | 65 – 85 HRB |
| Sheet (Cold Rolled) | Annealed | 80 – 100 (550 – 690) | 30 – 45 (205 – 310) | 55 – 35 | 88 HRB max |
| Tube & Pipe | Cold Drawn / Annealed | 80 – 100 (550 – 690) | 25 – 50 (170 – 345) | 55 – 35 | 88 HRB max |
| Wire (Soft) | Annealed | 80 – 120 (550 – 830) | 35 – 75 (240 – 520) | 45 – 20 | – |
| Wire (¼ to ½ Hard) | Cold Drawn (No. 1 Temper) | 105 – 135 (725 – 930) | 70 – 105 (480 – 725) | 35 – 15 | – |
| Wire (Spring Temper) | Full Hard | 170 – 220 (1170 – 1520) | 150 – 210 (1035 – 1450) | 5 – 2 | – |
Key Performance Notes:
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At 1000°F (538°C): Retains approximately 60% of room temperature yield strength.
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At 1500°F (816°C): Useful strength for non-load-bearing applications; oxidation resistance remains excellent.
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Cryogenic Performance: Excellent ductility and toughness down to -423°F (-253°C) – no ductile-to-brittle transition.
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Stress-Relaxation: Low relaxation rate at elevated temperatures makes it suitable for spring applications (high-temperature springs).
The nickel-chromium balance in Alloy 600 provides a unique combination of corrosion resistance unmatched by stainless steels or lower-nickel alloys.
| Environment | Performance | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Chloride-Ion Stress-Corrosion Cracking (SCC) | Virtually immune | High nickel content (>72%) prevents SCC common in 300-series stainless steels |
| Reducing Acids (e.g., dilute HCl, H₂SO₄) | Good to excellent | Nickel provides resistance in non-oxidizing conditions |
| Oxidizing Acids (e.g., nitric acid, chromic acid) | Good (when properly passivated) | Chromium content provides passive film formation |
| Alkaline Solutions (e.g., caustic soda, NaOH) | Excellent | Industry standard for caustic evaporators and concentrators |
| Organic Compounds (fatty acids, abietic acid) | Excellent | Resists corrosion in organic acid service (paper pulp, fatty acid processing) |
| High-Temperature Oxidation | Excellent to 2000°F (1093°C) | Protective Cr₂O₃ scale forms; resists spalling |
| Sulfur Compounds (at high temperature) | Good – better than pure nickel | Chromium provides resistance to sulfidation |
| High-Purity Water (nuclear reactor water) | Excellent | Proven performance in pressurized water reactor (PWR) systems |
Limitations: Alloy 600 is not recommended for strongly oxidizing mineral acids (e.g., concentrated nitric acid) without proper passivation, nor for molten metals or halide salts at very high temperatures.
We supply Inconel 600 in all standard mill forms, cut to size, with full traceability to ASTM, ASME, AMS, and ISO standards. ASME Code Approvals: Sections I, III, and VIII for pressure vessel construction.
| Product Form | Size Range | Key Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Round Bar / Rod | Dia: 6mm – 300mm (0.25" – 12") | ASTM B166, ASME SB166, AMS 5665, ISO 9723, DIN 17752 |
| Flat Bar / Forgings | Custom | ASTM B166, ASTM B564, ASME SB564, AMS 5665 |
| Wire (Soft, ¼ Hard, ½ Hard, Spring Temper) | Dia: 0.05mm – 12mm | ASTM B166, ASME SB166, AMS 5687, ISO 9724, DIN 17753 |
| Plate (Hot Rolled) | Thk: 6mm – 100mm | ASTM B168, ASME SB168, AMS 5540, EN 10095, DIN 17750 |
| Sheet (Cold Rolled) | Thk: 0.5mm – 6mm | ASTM B168, ASME SB168, AMS 5540, EN 10095, DIN 17750 |
| Strip | Thk: 0.1mm – 4mm | ASTM B168, ASME SB168, AMS 5540, DIN 17750 |
| Seamless Pipe / Tube | OD: 6mm – 219mm | ASTM B167, ASTM B163, ASME SB167, AMS 5580, DIN 17751 |
| Welded Pipe / Tube | OD: up to 914mm | ASTM B167, ASTM B163, ASME SB167, DIN 17751 |
| Fittings (Flanges, Elbows, Tees) | All schedules | ASTM B366, ASME SB366 |
Additional Specifications Available:
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Nuclear Grade: Alloy 600T (special trace element control) per ASME Section III.
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European: VdTÜV 365, EN 10095, BS 3072/3073/3076 NA14
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Aerospace: AMS 5665 (bar), AMS 5540 (sheet), AMS 5580 (tube)
Welding Products Available:
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Filler Wire: ERNiCr-3 (AWS A5.14) – most common for Alloy 600.
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Filler Wire (alternative): ERNiCrFe-2 或 ERNiCrFe-3.
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Welding Electrode: ENiCrFe-2 或 ENiCrFe-3 (AWS A5.11).
Note: Inconel 600 is readily weldable using standard TIG, MIG, or SMAW processes with appropriate filler metals. Preheating is generally not required.
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Certified Quality: Every shipment includes full traceability and an EN 10204 Type 3.1 Mill Test Certificate (MTC) – available with ASTM, ASME, or AMS compliance.
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Extensive Inventory: Large stock of bar (round & flat), sheet, plate, pipe, tube, and wire in a range of sizes for immediate dispatch.
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ASME Code Materials: We supply Alloy 600 qualified for ASME Section I (Power Boilers), III (Nuclear), and VIII (Pressure Vessels) – full code documentation provided.
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Precision Processing: In-house cutting (shear, plasma, waterjet, cold saw) and machining (turning, milling) to your exact dimensions.
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Technical Expertise: Our metallurgists can assist with temper selection (annealed vs. cold worked), weld procedure development, and nuclear-grade certification.
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Competitive Pricing: Direct mill access offers cost-effective solutions for both prototype and production volumes.
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Global Logistics: Expert export packaging ensures safe, delivered-duty-paid (DDP) service worldwide.
Q: What is the maximum continuous service temperature for Inconel 600?
A: For oxidation resistance: 2000°F (1093°C). For load-bearing applications: consult design codes, but typically up to 1500°F (816°C) for sustained stress. For intermittent service, higher excursions are possible.
Q: How does Inconel 600 compare to Inconel 625 or 718?
A: Inconel 600 is the "workhorse" – excellent high-temperature oxidation resistance, good corrosion resistance, easy to fabricate, but lower strength than 625 or 718. Inconel 625 offers higher strength and better pitting resistance (Mo content). Inconel 718 is precipitation-hardened for maximum high-temperature strength (aerospace rotating parts). Choose 600 for general high-temperature service, chemical processing, and nuclear applications where extreme strength is not required.
Q: Is Inconel 600 magnetic?
A: No. Alloy 600 is non-magnetic in the annealed condition. Cold working may induce slight magnetic permeability, but it remains essentially non-magnetic.
Q: What is Alloy 600T?
A: Alloy 600T is a special nuclear-grade version of Inconel 600 with tighter controls on cobalt, boron, and other trace elements to minimize radiation-induced embrittlement and activation. It is produced under strict quality assurance programs per ASME Section III. Contact us for nuclear-grade certification.
Q: Can Inconel 600 be used in sour gas (H₂S) service per NACE MR-01-75?
A: Yes, in many cases. However, Alloy 600 is not the first choice for sour service – Alloy 625 or Alloy 718 are more commonly specified. Contact our engineers for specific NACE MR-01-75 compliance guidance based on your H₂S partial pressure and temperature.
Q: Do you provide third-party inspection?
A: Yes. We can arrange SGS, TÜV, BV, Lloyds, or Bureau Veritas inspection at the buyer's cost, including witness testing (tensile, hardness, PMI), dimension checks, and positive material identification (PMI).
Need Inconel 600 (UNS N06600) bar, sheet, plate, pipe, wire, or custom forgings for high-temperature, corrosive, or nuclear applications?
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