Inconel 600 Chemical Composition, Mechanical Properties & ASTM B166
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Inconel 600 Chemical Composition, Mechanical Properties & ASTM B166
Inconel 600, also known as Alloy 600, is a nickel-chromium-iron alloy used where corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance, mechanical strength and elevated-temperature performance are important.
The material is identified by:
- UNS N06600
- W.Nr. 2.4816
- Alloy 600
- Inconel 600
Its technical performance comes primarily from its high nickel content combined with controlled chromium and iron additions.
For engineers and procurement teams, understanding the Inconel 600 chemical composition is important because composition, product condition and manufacturing route all influence the final properties of the material.
Table of Contents
- What Is Inconel 600?
- Inconel 600 Chemical Composition
- Role of Major Alloying Elements
- Inconel 600 Mechanical Properties
- Inconel 600 Tensile and Yield Strength
- Inconel 600 Hardness
- Inconel 600 Heat Treatment
- Inconel 600 Corrosion Resistance
- Inconel 600 High-Temperature Properties
- Inconel 600 Physical Properties
- ASTM B166 for Inconel 600
- Inconel 600 Round Bar
- Factors Affecting Inconel 600 Properties
- How to Specify Inconel 600
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Inconel 600 from Manan Steel & Metals
- Conclusion
What Is Inconel 600?
Inconel 600 is a nickel-chromium-iron alloy designed for demanding corrosion and heat-resistant applications.
Unlike precipitation-hardening nickel alloys, Inconel 600 is not strengthened through precipitation aging.
Its mechanical strength can be increased through cold working, while appropriate heat treatment can restore ductility and control the material’s metallurgical condition.
Special Metals identifies Inconel 600 as UNS N06600 / W.Nr. 2.4816 and describes the alloy as having good resistance to a broad range of corrosive environments.
Inconel 600 Chemical Composition
The chemical composition of Inconel 600 is carefully controlled to provide its characteristic corrosion and high-temperature performance.
A representative composition from Special Metals is:
| Element | Composition |
|---|---|
| Nickel + Cobalt | 72.0% minimum |
| Chromium | 14.0–17.0% |
| Iron | 6.0–10.0% |
| Carbon | 0.15% maximum |
| Manganese | 1.00% maximum |
| Silicon | 0.50% maximum |
| Sulfur | 0.015% maximum |
| Copper | 0.50% maximum |
The exact chemistry applicable to a supplied product should always be checked against the relevant specification and the actual material test certificate.
Source: Special Metals – INCONEL Alloy 600 Technical Bulletin
Role of Major Alloying Elements
Nickel
Nickel is the principal element in Inconel 600.
Its high nickel content contributes to:
- Corrosion resistance
- Resistance to chloride-ion stress-corrosion cracking under suitable conditions
- High-temperature performance
- Metallurgical stability
Nickel is one of the main reasons Inconel 600 performs differently from conventional stainless-steel grades.
Chromium
Chromium contributes significantly to:
- Oxidation resistance
- Resistance to certain corrosive environments
- High-temperature performance
The chromium content works together with nickel to provide the alloy’s overall corrosion-resistant characteristics.
Iron
Iron is a major alloying component of Inconel 600 and contributes to the alloy’s overall composition and engineering properties.
It also helps distinguish the alloy from commercially pure nickel materials.
Carbon
Carbon is maintained at a controlled level.
The amount of carbon can influence metallurgical behavior, fabrication characteristics and resistance to certain forms of corrosion.
For applications involving severe service conditions, the applicable product specification should be followed rather than relying on a generic chemistry table.
Inconel 600 Mechanical Properties
The mechanical properties of Inconel 600 depend on the product form and metallurgical condition.
An annealed bar, cold-worked bar and heavily cold-worked material will not necessarily have the same tensile strength or yield strength.
This is an important consideration when purchasing Inconel 600.
Special Metals publishes different mechanical-property ranges for annealed and cold-worked material.
| Property | General Consideration |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | Condition dependent |
| Yield strength | Condition dependent |
| Elongation | Generally higher in annealed condition |
| Hardness | Increases with cold work |
| Ductility | Reduced as cold work increases |
| Strength | Can increase significantly through cold working |
Therefore, the material condition should be specified along with the grade.
Inconel 600 Tensile and Yield Strength
There is no single tensile-strength value that applies to every Inconel 600 product.
For example, Special Metals’ technical information shows substantially different properties for annealed and cold-worked material.
Annealed material offers higher ductility, while cold working increases strength and hardness.
This creates a practical trade-off:
More cold work → higher strength and hardness → lower ductility
For engineering procurement, the required minimum tensile strength, yield strength and elongation should therefore be taken from the applicable product specification.
The actual supplied values should be verified through the material test certificate where certification is required.
Inconel 600 Hardness
Inconel 600 hardness depends strongly on the material condition.
Annealed material is generally softer and more ductile.
Cold-worked material can achieve significantly higher hardness.
Therefore, a buyer specifying an Inconel 600 round bar should avoid simply requesting a generic hardness value without identifying the required condition.
If hardness is a critical requirement, the purchase specification should state:
- Required hardness scale
- Minimum / maximum value
- Material condition
- Applicable testing method
Is Inconel 600 Precipitation Hardenable?
No.
Inconel 600 is not a precipitation-hardening alloy.
Its strength can be increased through cold working.
This distinguishes it from several other nickel-based alloys where aging treatments are central to achieving high strength.
For Inconel 600, heat treatment is generally used to control the material’s metallurgical condition, restore ductility after cold working and obtain the required properties.
Inconel 600 Heat Treatment
Heat treatment should be selected according to the product specification and required condition.
A common heat-treatment concept for Inconel 600 is solution annealing.
The purpose can include:
- Restoring ductility
- Reducing effects of cold work
- Producing a controlled metallurgical condition
- Improving fabrication characteristics
- Controlling grain structure
Special Metals identifies solution annealing as a principal heat-treatment approach for Inconel 600.
The technical bulletin gives a solution-treatment range around 1010–1065°C (1850–1950°F), with the exact treatment depending on the required material condition and processing route.
Important
Heat-treatment parameters should not be copied from a generic website and applied to every component.
The applicable ASTM, ASME, AMS, engineering drawing or customer specification should determine the final treatment.
Inconel 600 Corrosion Resistance
Corrosion resistance is one of the principal reasons for selecting Inconel 600.
The alloy provides useful resistance in a range of:
- Organic acids
- Alkaline environments
- Chloride-containing environments
- High-temperature corrosive gases
- Oxidizing conditions
- Certain chemical-processing environments
Special Metals describes Inconel 600 as having excellent resistance to a broad range of corrosive media and specifically notes resistance to chloride-ion stress-corrosion cracking under many conditions.
However, corrosion performance always depends on the actual environment.
Factors include:
- Chemical concentration
- Temperature
- Pressure
- Exposure time
- Impurities
- Flow conditions
- Stress
- Welding condition
No corrosion-resistant alloy should be selected solely from a general grade description without reviewing the actual service environment.
Inconel 600 High-Temperature Properties
Inconel 600 is also used for elevated-temperature applications.
The alloy maintains useful mechanical and oxidation-resistant characteristics across a broad temperature range.
Special Metals identifies applications extending from cryogenic temperatures to temperatures above 1095°C (2000°F) in appropriate service conditions.
This figure should not be interpreted as a universal continuous-use temperature.
Actual temperature capability depends on:
- Applied stress
- Atmosphere
- Component geometry
- Exposure duration
- Oxidation conditions
- Material condition
- Design requirements
For critical high-temperature applications, the actual design data and governing specification should be consulted.
Inconel 600 Physical Properties
Typical physical properties reported for Inconel 600 include:
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Density | Approx. 8.47 g/cm³ |
| Melting range | Approx. 1370–1425°C |
| Thermal conductivity at 20°C | Approx. 14.9 W/m·K |
| Electrical resistivity at 20°C | Approx. 1.03 μΩ·m |
| Specific heat at 20°C | Approx. 444 J/kg·K |
Values can vary with temperature and source, so design calculations should use the data applicable to the exact engineering condition.
For detailed technical information, consult the Special Metals Inconel 600 technical bulletin.
ASTM B166 for Inconel 600
ASTM B166 is an important specification when sourcing Inconel 600 in rod, bar and wire forms.
ASTM B166 covers nickel-chromium-iron alloys including UNS N06600 in specified product forms.
For Inconel 600 round bar, the buyer should confirm:
- UNS N06600
- Diameter
- Length
- Material condition
- Heat treatment
- Mechanical requirements
- Chemical requirements
- Dimensional tolerances
- Testing
- Certification
The current ASTM listing should always be checked for the applicable revision and exact scope.
Reference: ASTM B166 – Nickel-Chromium-Iron Alloys
Inconel 600 Round Bar
Inconel 600 Round Bar is used as raw material for machining industrial components.
Common applications include:
- Shafts
- Pins
- Fasteners
- Furnace components
- Chemical-processing components
- Heat-resistant parts
- Special engineering components
When ordering round bar, specify:
Grade: Inconel 600
UNS: N06600
Diameter: Required size
Length: Required length
Condition: Annealed / specified condition
Standard: ASTM B166 where applicable
MTC: Required if applicable
Quantity: Required quantity
For industrial purchasing, these details are more useful than simply stating “Inconel 600 bar.”
Factors Affecting Inconel 600 Properties
Several factors can change the final properties of an Inconel 600 product.
1. Material Condition
Annealed and cold-worked products have different strength and ductility.
2. Product Form
Round bar, sheet, plate, tube and wire may have different specification requirements.
3. Heat Treatment
Heat treatment influences microstructure, ductility and mechanical performance.
4. Cold Work
Cold working can significantly increase strength and hardness.
5. Grain Structure
Processing history and heat treatment influence grain size and metallurgical characteristics.
6. Product Dimensions
Section size and manufacturing route can affect achievable properties.
This is why technical data should always be linked to the specific product condition rather than treating all Inconel 600 as mechanically identical.
How to Specify Inconel 600
A professional enquiry should contain enough information for the supplier to identify the exact requirement.
Recommended Format
Material: Inconel 600
UNS: N06600
Product: Round Bar
Diameter: ___ mm
Length: ___ mm / metre
Quantity: ___ kg / pieces
Condition: ___
Standard: ASTM B166 / applicable specification
MTC: Required / Not Required
Delivery Location: ___
For sheet, plate, pipe or tube, specify the appropriate product standard rather than automatically using ASTM B166.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the chemical composition of Inconel 600?
Inconel 600 contains predominantly nickel, with chromium and iron as major alloying elements. The exact limits should be checked against the applicable specification.
What is the UNS number of Inconel 600?
The UNS designation is N06600.
What is the Werkstoff number of Inconel 600?
The commonly associated Werkstoff number is 2.4816.
Is Inconel 600 precipitation hardenable?
No. Inconel 600 is not precipitation hardenable. Strength can be increased through cold working.
What is ASTM B166 used for?
ASTM B166 covers specified nickel-chromium-iron alloy rod, bar and wire products, including UNS N06600.
What is the tensile strength of Inconel 600?
Tensile strength depends on the material condition. Annealed and cold-worked Inconel 600 can have substantially different mechanical properties.
Does Inconel 600 resist corrosion?
Yes. Corrosion resistance is one of the main reasons Inconel 600 is selected, although actual performance depends on the service environment.
Can Inconel 600 be used at high temperatures?
Yes. It is used for elevated-temperature applications, but the allowable operating temperature must be established from the actual application, stress, environment and design requirements.
Inconel 600 from Manan Steel & Metals
Manan Steel & Metals supplies industrial and specialty metal products for engineering and manufacturing requirements.
For Inconel 600 Round Bar, customers can provide:
- UNS N06600
- Required diameter
- Required length
- Quantity
- Applicable ASTM specification
- Material condition
- MTC requirement
- Delivery location
Explore the Manan Steel & Metals Inconel Round Bar range for product information.
You can also visit the Manan Steel & Metals website for additional industrial metal products.
Request a Quotation
Manan Steel & Metals
Shop No. 2, Hira Building, 97 Khetwadi Main Road,
Girgaon, Mumbai – 400004, Maharashtra, India
Phone: 7977369869
Email: manansteel@gmail.com
For a faster quotation, send:
Grade + Size + Length + Quantity + Specification + Delivery Location
Conclusion
The Inconel 600 chemical composition is fundamental to the alloy’s corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance and high-temperature performance.
Identified by UNS N06600 and W.Nr. 2.4816, Inconel 600 is a nickel-chromium-iron alloy whose strength can be increased through cold working rather than precipitation hardening.
Its mechanical properties depend strongly on the supplied condition, so buyers should specify the required condition together with the product form and applicable standard.
For Inconel 600 Round Bar, ASTM B166 is an important specification to consider where applicable to the required product form. The final purchase specification should also address dimensions, testing, heat treatment and certification.
For industrial Inconel 600 requirements, contact Manan Steel & Metals with your exact size and specification.