First developed in the 1940s by Wiggin Alloys in Hereford, England, Inconel has become indispensible in the aerospace, chemical, nuclear and oil and gas industries.
All Inconel alloys are highly resistant to corrosion, oxidation and pressure. They are also dependable in high stress, high-pressure environments because of their outstanding mechanical and chemical properties. Found in Formula One exhaust systems, aircraft black boxes, cryogenic storage tanks and rocket engines, Inconel is definitely a super alloy that goes the distance.
When heated, Inconel forms a passivating oxide layer, which helps make it exceptionally heat resistant. Inconel is also an excellent material for use in low temperature environments as it resists cracking. Inconel also resists chloride induced stress corrosion cracking and resists pitting, crevice corrosion and resists acids (including sulfuric, phosphoric, nitric, and hydrochloric).
With its many uses, Inconel can be a difficult metal to shape and machine. Triton Pipes technicians understand how to work with this super alloy, factoring in such variables as Inconel’s rapid work hardening and tendency to plastically deform. When working with Inconel tubing, choosing a machine shop with experience is paramount. Triton Pipes has the experience and expertise required to deliver the highest quality finished Inconel custom tubes and tubular components.
Inconel is mostly resistant to extreme temperatures, and retains enough tensile strength at high temperature to continue holding moderate loads (Inconel 625® retains 13.3 ksi at 2,000°F) which makes Inconel the ideal material for heat treat applications—comparing favorably to stainless steels such as Grade 304, 316, and 330. Inconel 625 differs from many of the other Inconel alloys because its composition includes substantial amounts of nickel, chromium, and molybdenum. It also has an addition of niobium. The result is an alloy that possesses high levels of strength without ever having to go through a strengthening heat treatment.
Inconel is often used in marine applications because of its extraordinary resistance to sodium chloride (salt) at a variety of temperatures. So, for processes that use salt or factory locations near the ocean, Inconel can be ideal for a parts washing basket. Inconel is typically used in applications where high temperatures are present due to a thick, stable passivating oxide layer which is formed when Inconel is heated. This layer protects the Inconel's surface making it resistant to heat. Inconel 625 is Ideal for hardware and components in the power, aerospace and chemical processing industries. While each variation of Inconel has unique traits that make it effective in different circumstances, the majority of the alloys are used frequently in the chemical industry.