Nickel Alloy 625
1. Overview
Nickel Alloy 625, also known as Inconel 625 or UNS N06625, is a high-performance nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy. Renowned for its exceptional strength, high resistance to extreme temperatures, and excellent corrosion resistance. Various industries, including aerospace, chemical processing, marine, and energy sectors, widely use this alloy. In addition, the Inconel 625 material properties make it highly sought after for applications requiring superior strength and durability in harsh environments.
2. Composition and Characteristics of Nickel Alloy 625
2.1 Chemical Composition:
| Elements | Components |
|---|---|
| Nickel (Ni) | 58.0% min |
| Chromium (Cr) | 20.0-23.0% |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 8.0-10.0% |
| Iron (Fe) | 5.0% max |
| Niobium (Nb) + Tantalum (Ta) | 3.15-4.15% |
| Cobalt (Co) | 1.0% max |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.50% max |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.50% max |
| Aluminum (Al) | 0.40% max |
| Titanium (Ti) | 0.40% max |
| Carbon (C) | 0.10% max |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.015% max |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.015% max |
2.2 Physical and Chemical Properties:
- Nickel Alloy 625 has excellent corrosion resistance. It can withstand many harsh environments.
- This includes both oxidizing and reducing acids. It also resists chloride-ion stress-corrosion cracking and pitting. This positions it as a favored material in highly challenging industries like marine and chemical processing.
- High-Temperature Resistance: It maintains its strength and stability at temperatures up to 982°C (1800°F). This strong resistance to high temperatures makes Inconel 625 ideal for aerospace and energy applications.
- Mechanical Properties: The alloy exhibits excellent tensile strength (120-160 ksi), yield strength (60-110 ksi), and elongation (30-50%). It has a hardness of 200-240 HB and a density of 8.44 g/cm³. This makes it good for important structural parts in tough environments.
- Yield Strength and Hardness of Inconel 625: Inconel 625 has impressive yield strength and hardness. These features help it resist mechanical strain and high temperatures.
2.3 Welding and Processing:
- Weldability: Nickel Alloy 625 is highly weldable using various welding methods such as TIG, MIG, and resistance welding. People often use Inconel 625 sheet because it welds exceptionally well. This makes it great for many applications that need welded parts.
- Processing Challenges: The alloy’s high strength and toughness can make machining harder. However, you can manage these challenges with special tools and techniques designed for high-performance materials like Inconel 625.
3. Applications of Nickel Alloy 625
- Aerospace: Used in engine components, exhaust systems, and turbine blades because of its high-temperature strength and oxidation resistance.
- Marine Engineering is great for making parts for submarines and ships. People also use it for offshore platforms and undersea pipelines. This is because it resists seawater corrosion exceptionally well.
- Chemical and Petrochemical: Employed in heat exchangers, reactor vessels, and piping systems where resistance to chemical corrosion is crucial.
- Energy Sector: Utilized in nuclear power plants, thermal power stations, and other high-temperature environments.
4. Advantages and Disadvantages of Nickel Alloy 625
4.1 Advantages:
- Exceptional Corrosion Resistance: Suitable for harsh environments, including marine and chemical applications.
- High-Temperature Performance: Maintains strength and stability at elevated temperatures.
- Mechanical Strength: Excellent tensile strength and elongation properties, making it ideal for applications involving mechanical stress.
4.2 Disadvantages:
- High Cost: The alloy is relatively expensive compared to other materials such as Inconel 718.
- Processing Difficulty: Inconel 625 sheet is strong and hard. This makes machining it challenging. You need special tools and techniques.
5. Market Supply and Pricing of Nickel Alloy 625
5.1 Major Suppliers:
Leading suppliers of Inconel 625 include well-established companies such as Haynes International, Special Metals, and others. They offer Inconel 625 sheet in various thicknesses and sizes to meet the demands of different industries.
Southerly Alloy Co., Ltd. is a representative nickel alloy supplier in China, providing high-quality and low-cost 625 alloy products. Welcome to contact us
5.2 Price Factors:
Prices for Inconel 625 can fluctuate based on market demand, production costs, and availability of raw materials. Additionally, factors like the Inconel 625 melting temperature and manufacturing process also influence pricing.
5.3 Purchasing Tips:
When selecting a supplier for Nickel Alloy 625, consider factors such as product quality, certification, and customer service. Checking if the supplier provides Inconel 625 sheets or other forms of the material is important. This will help meet your specific application needs.
Regarding the procurement cycle: If you plan to purchase from Southerly Alloy Co.,Ltd. it will take about 1-3 days to inquire for a quotation. Production cycle: For small batch orders, it takes about 2-3 weeks to produce using the prepared steel ingot materials, 1-2 weeks to book and ship (about 10 days on average), and about 25 days for sea transportation. The time for customs clearance and delivery after arrival at the port depends on the local situation, which usually takes 1-2 weeks. Therefore, the entire procurement cycle usually takes 2 months, about 60 days. For large-volume orders, the procurement cycle will be longer because the time for purchasing raw materials is uncertain.
6. Comparison with Other Nickel Alloys
- Inconel 718 is stronger at low temperatures. Inconel 625 has better corrosion resistance. This makes Inconel 625 better for extreme conditions. Many engineers often prefer Inconel 625 in marine and chemical applications.
- Hastelloy C-276: Hastelloy C-276 offers superior resistance to certain chemicals but has lower high-temperature strength than Inconel 625.
- Chemical processing uses both alloys, but Inconel 625 performs better in high-temperature environments.
| Performance Metric | High Temperature Resistance | Corrosion Resistance | Strength | Density | Machinability | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inconel | Excellent (up to 1100°C and above) | Excellent (resistant to various corrosive environments) | High (tensile strength up to 1035 MPa) | High (about 8.5 g/cm³) | Difficult (high hardness, prone to work hardening) | High (high material and machining costs) |
| Stainless Steel | Good (up to about 800°C) | Excellent (especially 304 and 316 stainless steel) | High (tensile strength around 600-800 MPa) | Medium (about 7.8 g/cm³) | Medium (depends on specific type) | Medium (depends on specific type) |
| Titanium Alloy | Good (up to about 600°C) | Excellent (especially in marine environment) | High (tensile strength around 900 MPa) | Low (about 4.5 g/cm³) | Difficult (prone to deformation, requires special handling) | High (especially for high-performance alloys) |
| Aluminum Alloy | Fair (up to about 300°C) | Good (but not as good as Inconel and stainless steel) | Medium (tensile strength around 300-400 MPa) | Low (about 2.7 g/cm³) | Easy (easy to form and machine) | Low (low material cost) |
7. Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Nickel Alloy 625 suitable for welding?
- Yes, Nickel Alloy 625 is highly weldable using various methods, including TIG and MIG welding.
- Can we use this alloy in extreme marine environments?
- Absolutely. Inconel 625 is great at resisting seawater corrosion. This makes it a perfect choice for marine uses, like submarine parts and offshore structures.
- How to select Nickel Alloy 625 materials?
- When choosing Inconel 625, consider the needs of your application. Look for its high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and mechanical properties. These include yield strength and hardness.
8. Conclusion
People recognize Nickel Alloy 625, or Inconel 625, for its great properties. This makes it a popular choice in tough industries.
Inconel 625 is a strong and reliable material. It has great resistance to corrosion. It can also handle extreme temperatures.
Industries are looking for materials that work well in tough conditions. Inconel 625 is likely to be crucial for engineering and manufacturing in the future.