Manufacturing and heat treatment of Alloy 600
Manufacturing and heat treatment of Alloy 600
The manufacturing process of Inconel 600 alloy involves hot working (2300-1850°F) and cold working, with an emphasis on ensuring good ductility in the annealed state, making it suitable for various applications from low to high temperatures. Heat treatment primarily involves annealing to soften the material, typically performed at 1800°F (982°C) for 10-15 minutes, followed by water or air cooling to achieve the desired mechanical properties and relieve stress. However, this alloy is not age-hardenable. Its high nickel content provides excellent corrosion resistance, particularly against chloride stress corrosion cracking, but contact with sulfur should be avoided at high temperatures.
What is the maximum operating temperature of Alloy 600?
1600 – 2250°F
The hot working temperature range for Inconel 600 alloy is 1600 – 2250°F (870 – 1230°C). Heavy working requires temperatures in the range of 1900 – 2250°F (1040 – 1230°C), while light working can be performed at temperatures as low as 1600°F (870°C).
Alloy 600 is a nickel-chromium-iron solid-solution strengthened alloy suitable for applications requiring corrosion resistance and high-temperature resistance. Alloy 600 can be used in a temperature range from extremely low temperatures up to 2000°F. This alloy also possesses good machinability, weldability, and high strength.
Industries and Applications
The unique properties of Alloy 600 make it play an important role in various applications across multiple industries. In the chemical processing industry, its applications include heaters, condensers, and trays. In the heat treatment industry, its applications include muffles, reactors, baskets, and other furnace components. In the aerospace industry, its applications include exhaust liners, turbine seals, and airframe components. Due to its corrosion resistance in high-purity water, Alloy 600 is also used in the nuclear industry.
600 alloy chemical composition (%)
| (Ni+Co) Nickel + Cobalt | 72.0 min |
| (Cr) Chromium | 14.0 to 17.0 |
| (Fe) Iron | 6.00 to 10.00 |
| (Mn) Manganese | 1.00 max |
| (Si) Silicon | 0.50 max |
| (Cu) Copper | 0.50 max |
| (C) Carbon | 0.15 max |
| (S) Sulfur | 0.015 max |
Alloy 600 Manufacturing Process
Hot Working: The main hot working temperature range is 2300-1850°F (1260-1010°C), with light working possible down to 1600°F (871°C). Due to the lower ductility of the alloy in this temperature range, working between 1600-1200°F (870-650°C) should be avoided.
Cold Working: Performed at temperatures below 1200°F (649°C). Cold working hardens the alloy, increasing its tensile strength.
Welding: Can be welded using methods such as TIG (GTAW), MIG (GMAW), or SMAW, using appropriate filler metals such as ERNiCr-3 or ENiCrFe-3.
Machining: In the annealed or hot-worked condition, machining can be performed using carbide or high-speed steel tools, but the tools must be kept sharp and a suitable coolant should be used.
Surface Treatment: Mechanical polishing or electropolishing can improve surface finish, reduce friction, and enhance corrosion resistance.
Alloy 600 Heat Treatment
Purpose: To soften the alloy and relieve stress, not for age hardening.
Temperature: Softening begins at approximately 1600°F (871°C); complete softening is achieved by holding at approximately 1800°F (982°C) for 10-15 minutes.
Cooling: Cooling rate has no effect; water quenching or air cooling are both acceptable.
Stress Relief: For corrosive environments, a stress relief treatment at 1800-1850°F (982-982°C) for 1 hour is recommended to prevent stress corrosion cracking.
Applicable standards for Alloy 600
| Form | ASTM | ASME | Other |
| Bar | B166, B564 | SB166, SB564 | AMS 5665 |
| Seamless Tube & Pipe | B167 | SB167 | – |
| Welded Tube | B516 | SB516 | – |
| Welded Pipe | B517 | SB517 | – |
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 is a supplier of inconel 600 alloy, offering a wide range of products including: seamless pipe (sizes: 4-219 mm; thickness: 0.5-20 mm); welded pipe (sizes: 5.0-1219.2 mm; thickness: 0.5-20 mm); plates (thickness: 0.1 to 100 mm; width: 10-2500 mm); strips; alloy round bars (diameter: 3-800 mm); flat bars (thickness: 2-100 mm; width: 10-500 mm); hexagonal bars (size: 2-100 mm); wire rods; and extruded profiles. We collaborate with steel mills to provide our customers with inconel 600 alloy products that meet or exceed numerous leading industry standards, including ASTM, ASME, SAE, AMS, ISO, DIN, EN, and BS standards.
Gnee Steel stocks and sells inconel 600, pipes, plates, strips, round bars, flat bars, forged billets, hexagonal steel, wire rods, and extruded profiles. Please feel free to contact us at ss@gneesteel.com for a quote.
