EN 1.7230 Steel vs. Nickel 600

Gnee Steel

EN 1.7230 steel is a chromium-molybdenum alloy steel, while Nickel 600 (also known as Inconel 600) is a nickel-chromium alloy. The main difference between the two lies in their composition and applications: 1.7230 steel is a robust and durable general-purpose alloy, while Nickel 600, due to its nickel-based composition, performs exceptionally well in high-temperature and highly corrosive environments.

Gnee Steel

What is Nickel 600?

Nickel 600 alloy, also sold under the Inconel 600 brand, 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 1.7230 steel is a carbon steel with good mechanical properties and heat treatment characteristics. Its chemical composition and mechanical properties make it suitable for various industrial applications, such as architectural decorative components and railway vehicles. This steel has high strength after cold working, but its ductility is slightly lower than other grades. Its main uses include manufacturing structural components such as bolts and nuts.

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 has excellent resistance to high-temperature oxidation and corrosion, forming a dense oxide film in environments up to 1200°C, resisting 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 that withstand low loads below 1100℃.

Chemical Composition Comparison: EN 1.7230 Steel vs Nickel 600

Element	EN 1.7230 (30CrNiMo8) Steel	Nickel 600 (UNS N06600)
Iron (Fe)	Balance (≥ 90%)	6.0 – 10.0 %
Nickel (Ni)	1.8 – 2.2 %	≥ 72.0 %
Chromium (Cr)	1.8 – 2.2 %	14.0 – 17.0 %
Molybdenum (Mo)	0.30 – 0.50 %	–
Manganese (Mn)	0.30 – 0.60 %	≤ 1.0 %
Silicon (Si)	0.15 – 0.40 %	≤ 0.50 %
Carbon (C)	0.26 – 0.34 %	≤ 0.15 %
Sulfur (S)	≤ 0.035 %	≤ 0.015 %
Phosphorus (P)	≤ 0.035 %	–
Copper (Cu)	≤ 0.30 %	≤ 0.50 %
Aluminum (Al)	–	≤ 0.30 % (typical)
Titanium (Ti)	–	≤ 0.30 % (typical)
Vanadium (V)	–	–
Cobalt (Co)	–	–
Other Elements	–	≤ 0.30 %

Physical Properties Comparison: EN 1.7230 Steel vs Nickel 600

Property	EN 1.7230 (30CrNiMo8) 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)	42 W/m·K	14.8 W/m·K
Specific Heat Capacity (20°C)	470 J/kg·K	460 J/kg·K
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (20–100°C)	11.0 μm/m·°C	13.3 μm/m·°C
Modulus of Elasticity	210 GPa	207 GPa
Electrical Resistivity (20°C)	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)	180–220 HB	65–90 HRB
Maximum Service Temperature (Continuous)	≈ 450 °C	≈ 1095 °C
Thermal Diffusivity (20°C)	11.4 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
Thermal Conductivity (500°C)	38 W/m·K	26.8 W/m·K
Specific Heat (100°C)	490 J/kg·K	480 J/kg·K

Advantages Comparison: EN 1.7230 Steel vs Nickel 600

Advantage	EN 1.7230 (30CrNiMo8) Steel	Nickel 600 (UNS N06600)
Cost	Lower material and processing cost	Higher cost, premium alloy
Machinability	Good machinability in annealed or tempered condition	Difficult to machine, rapid work hardening
Weldability	Good weldability with proper pre- and post-weld heat treatment	Excellent weldability without post-weld heat treatment
High-Temperature Strength	Good strength up to ~450°C, but loses strength rapidly above	Excellent strength retention up to ~1095°C
Corrosion Resistance	Moderate; requires coating in corrosive environments	Excellent in a wide range of corrosive media (acids, alkalis, chlorides)
Oxidation Resistance	Limited; not suitable for continuous high-temperature oxidizing service	Excellent oxidation resistance up to ~1095°C
Fatigue Resistance	Good fatigue strength in structural applications	Excellent fatigue and thermal fatigue resistance
Hardness & Wear Resistance	Can be heat treated to high hardness (up to ~50 HRC)	Moderate hardness (65–90 HRB), not ideal for severe wear
Impact Toughness	Good toughness in quenched and tempered condition	Excellent toughness from cryogenic to high temperatures
Formability	Good formability in annealed state	Good formability but work hardens quickly
Thermal Conductivity	High (42 W/m·K), good for heat transfer applications	Low (14.8 W/m·K), suitable for thermal insulation components
Magnetic Properties	Ferromagnetic, suitable for magnetic applications	Slightly magnetic, not ideal for sensitive magnetic environments
Creep Resistance	Limited above 400°C	Good creep resistance up to ~870°C
Application Flexibility	Widely used in gears, shafts, bolts, and general machinery	Specialized in extreme environments: furnaces, chemical reactors, aerospace, nuclear
Weight Consideration	Lower density (7.85 g/cm³) for weight-sensitive designs	Higher density (8.47 g/cm³), but strength-to-weight ratio favorable in high-temp use
Availability & Lead Time	Readily available in many forms and sizes	May require longer lead times due to specialized production