Nickel 600 vs EN 1.4122 Stainless Steel Performance Comparison
Nickel 600 vs EN 1.4122 Stainless Steel Performance Comparison
Nickel 600 typically excels in high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance, while EN 1.4122 stainless steel offers high abrasion resistance, hardness, and good corrosion resistance in milder environments, making it a more cost-effective solution. Nickel 600 can withstand temperatures up to 1100°C, but 1.4122 is a martensitic stainless steel that can be hardened through heat treatment and exhibits higher strength at lower temperatures, especially after heat treatment.
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).
Nickel 600 is a nickel alloy formulated specifically for initial forming into forged products. NA14 is the British Standard (BS) designation for this material, and N06600 is its United Nations Standard (UNS) designation. Nickel alloy 600 is its common industry name. Additionally, its French Association for Standardization (AFNOR) designation is NC15Fe.
EN 1.4122 stainless steel is a martensitic stainless steel designed specifically for initial forming into forged products. 1.4122 is the EN designation for this material. X39CrMo17-1 is its EN chemical composition designation. Among forged martensitic stainless steels, it has relatively low electrical conductivity. Furthermore, it has low thermal conductivity and moderately low ductility.
Comparison of properties between Nickel 600 and EN 1.4122 stainless steel
| Property | Nickel 600 (UNS N06600) | EN 1.4122 Stainless Steel (X39CrMo17-1) |
|---|---|---|
| High Temperature Performance | Maintains strength at high temperatures; excellent performance at low temperatures | Not designed for continuous high-temperature use; suitable for moderate temperatures |
| Corrosion Resistance | Superior to standard stainless steel due to high nickel content | Good in moderately corrosive, low-chloride environments due to high chromium content |
| Tensile Strength | Up to 990 MPa (especially after cold working) | High, but typically lower than nickel 600 in hardened condition |
| Yield Strength | Up to 760 MPa | High, suitable for wear and structural applications |
| Abrasion Resistance | Moderate | High |
| Hardness | Typically 65–90 HRB (annealed) | 27–33 HRC (can be increased by heat treatment) |
| Cost-Effectiveness | High cost, premium alloy | More economical and practical for many applications |
| Primary Strengths | High strength at temperature, excellent corrosion resistance in aggressive media | High hardness, wear resistance, good corrosion resistance in mild environments |
| Typical Use Cases | Aerospace, chemical processing, nuclear, high-temperature components | Cutting tools, bearings, valve parts, pump shafts, wear plates |
Application Comparison: Nickel 600 vs. EN 1.4122 Stainless Steel
| Application Field | Nickel 600 (UNS N06600) | EN 1.4122 Stainless Steel (X39CrMo17-1) |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Processing Equipment | ✓✓ (Reactors, heat exchangers, piping in corrosive media) | ✓ (Valves, pump shafts in mild chemical service) |
| Aerospace Components | ✓✓ (Engine mounts, exhaust systems, fasteners) | – |
| Nuclear Industry | ✓✓ (Steam generator tubes, reactor internals) | – |
| Marine Engineering | ✓✓ (Seawater heat exchangers, condenser tubes) | ✓ (Propeller shafts, marine fittings in less corrosive water) |
| Heat Treatment Furnaces | ✓✓ (Radiant tubes, retorts, muffles) | – |
| Oil & Gas (Sour Service) | ✓✓ (Wellhead parts, downhole tools) | – |
| Cutting Tools & Blades | – | ✓✓ (Knives, blades, cutting inserts) |
| Bearings & Bushings | – | ✓✓ (High-wear bearings, bushings, rollers) |
| Valve Components | ✓ (High-corrosion valves) | ✓✓ (Valve seats, stems, trim in abrasive/corrosive flow) |
| Pump & Compressor Parts | ✓ (Corrosive fluid handling) | ✓✓ (Shafts, sleeves, wear rings) |
| Food Processing Equipment | ✓ (High-temperature/corrosive zones) | ✓ (Cutting, mixing, conveying parts) |
| Medical & Surgical Instruments | – | ✓✓ (Scalpels, forceps, reusable instruments) |
| Automotive Exhaust Systems | ✓✓ (High-performance manifolds, turbo parts) | – |
| Power Generation (High-Temp) | ✓✓ (Boiler tubes, superheaters) | – |
| Textile Machinery | – | ✓✓ (Guides, cutters, wear-resistant parts) |
| Mining & Mineral Processing | ✓ (Corrosive slurry handling) | ✓✓ (Crushing elements, wear plates) |
| Hydraulic & Pneumatic Components | – | ✓✓ (Cylinder rods, pistons, wear surfaces) |
| Architectural & Structural | – | ✓ (Decorative/high-strength fasteners in aggressive atmospheres) |
| Thermal Processing Equipment | ✓✓ (Annealing covers, radiant coils) | – |
| Welding & Fabrication Fixtures | ✓ (High-temperature jigs, fixtures) | ✓ (Tooling, clamping elements) |
Performance Comparison
| Feature | Nickel 600 | EN 1.4122 Stainless Steel |
|---|---|---|
| High-Temperature Strength | Very good, retains strength up to 1100°C | Good, but loses strength significantly at higher temperatures |
| Corrosion Resistance | Superior, especially in harsh environments | Good, but limited to moderately corrosive conditions |
| Wear Resistance | Good | Excellent |
| Hardness | Moderate | High, hardenable by heat treatment |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
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!
Gnee Steel is a supplier of Nickel 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 Nickel 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 Nickel 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.
