Difference between EN 1.1181 steel and nickel 600 alloy
Difference between EN 1.1181 steel and nickel 600 alloy
EN 1.1181 is a medium-carbon iron-based steel, while Nickel 600 is a nickel-chromium alloy. The main difference lies in the base material (iron versus nickel), which leads to differences in corrosion resistance and temperature properties; Nickel 600 generally exhibits stronger high-temperature and corrosion resistance. EN 1.1181 is known for its good machinability, while Nickel 600 is suitable for a wide range of applications from low to high temperatures.
What is Nickel Alloy 600?
Nickel Alloy 600, also marketed under the brand name Inconel 600, is a unique nickel-chromium alloy renowned for its oxidation resistance at high temperatures. It has a wide range of applications, from low-temperature applications to high-temperature applications up to 2000°F (1093°C).
EN 1.1181 steel is a typical medium-carbon, high-quality non-alloy structural steel, corresponding to the German grade C35E, and conforming to the standard EN 10083-2:2006. This material, through quenching and high-temperature tempering, achieves an excellent combination of toughness, plasticity, and strength, making it suitable for manufacturing mechanical parts subjected to high loads. Its chemical composition is strictly controlled to ensure its mechanical properties and processing characteristics. The main components include carbon (C): 0.32%–0.39%, manganese (Mn): 0.50%–0.80%, etc. Due to its high strength, high toughness, and good weldability, this steel plays an important role in machinery manufacturing, the automotive industry, and other fields.
Nickel 600 (Inconel 600) is a nickel-chromium-iron-based solid solution strengthened alloy, whose main components include nickel (≥72%), chromium (14-17%), and iron (6-10%). This alloy exhibits excellent resistance to high-temperature oxidation and corrosion, forming a dense oxide film at temperatures up to 1200℃ to resist corrosion from chloride ions, nitric acid, and alkaline solutions. Nickel 600 is widely used in high-temperature corrosion environments such as nuclear reactors, aerospace engine components, petrochemical equipment, and heat treatment furnaces. Its physical properties include a density of 8.43 g/cm³, a melting point of 1370-1430℃, a yield strength of 240 MPa, and a tensile strength of 550 MPa, making it suitable for manufacturing oxidation-resistant parts subjected to low loads below 1100℃.
Chemical Composition Comparison: EN 1.1181 Steel vs Nickel 600
| Element | EN 1.1181 (C45 / 1.0503) Steel | Nickel 600 (UNS N06600) |
|---|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) | Balance (≥ 98%) | 6.00 – 10.00 % |
| Nickel (Ni) | ≤ 0.40 % | ≥ 72.0 % |
| Chromium (Cr) | ≤ 0.40 % | 14.00 – 17.00 % |
| Carbon (C) | 0.42 – 0.50 % | ≤ 0.15 % |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.50 – 0.80 % | ≤ 1.00 % |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.15 – 0.40 % | ≤ 0.50 % |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.035 % | ≤ 0.015 % |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.035 % | – |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.40 % | ≤ 0.50 % |
| Aluminum (Al) | – | ≤ 0.30 % (typical) |
| Titanium (Ti) | – | ≤ 0.30 % (typical) |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | ≤ 0.10 % | – |
| Vanadium (V) | – | – |
| Other Elements | – | ≤ 0.30 % |
Physical Properties Comparison: EN 1.1181 Steel vs. Nickel 600
| Property | EN 1.1181 (C45) Steel | Nickel 600 (UNS N06600) |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ | 8.47 g/cm³ |
| Melting Range | 1420–1460 °C | 1354–1413 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity (20°C) | 48–52 W/m·K | 14.8 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity (20°C) | 470–490 J/kg·K | 460 J/kg·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (20–100°C) | 11.0–11.5 μm/m·°C | 13.3 μm/m·°C |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 210 GPa | 207 GPa |
| Electrical Resistivity (20°C) | 0.22–0.25 μΩ·m | 1.03 μΩ·m |
| Magnetic Permeability | Ferromagnetic | Slightly magnetic (1.01–1.10 μ) |
| Poisson's Ratio | 0.29 | 0.29 |
| Hardness (Annealed/Normalized) | 170–210 HB | 65–90 HRB |
| Maximum Service Temperature (Continuous) | ≈ 400 °C | ≈ 1095 °C |
| Thermal Diffusivity (20°C) | ≈ 12 mm²/s | 3.8 mm²/s |
| Thermal Expansion (20–400°C) | 12.5 μm/m·°C | 14.5 μm/m·°C |
| Specific Gravity | 7.85 | 8.47 |
| Feature | EN 1.1181 Steel | Nickel 600 Alloy |
|---|---|---|
| Material Type | Low-carbon steel | Nickel-chromium alloy |
| Key Properties | Standard mechanical strength for a carbon steel | High-temperature strength and oxidation resistance (up to 1093°C or 2000°F) |
| Corrosion Resistance | Standard for its class; susceptible to corrosion | High resistance to many corrosive environments, including caustic and chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking |
| Applications | General-purpose mechanical components | High-temperature applications, chemical processing, aerospace, and nuclear applications |
| Cost | Lower cost | Higher cost |
Why Choose Gnee as Your Nickel-Based Alloy Supplier
✅ Over 18 years of export experience, products sold to more than 80 countries
✅ Certified by ISO, SGS, and BV
✅ Global inventory of Inconel, Hastelloy, Incoloy, and Monel alloy tubing, plates, and bars
✅ Custom processing services available – including cutting, polishing, CNC machining, and packaging
✅ Fast delivery within 7-15 days, supported by global logistics partners
📦 Packaging and Shipping
All stainless steel products are packaged using the following methods:
Wooden pallets or crates
Moisture-proof packaging
Labels with furnace number, standard, and size labels
Shipped worldwide by sea, air, or express
Gnee Steel also supplies custom Inconel 600 products in various sizes and specifications. Please send us your drawings for a quote!
