In high-temperature and high-stress environments—such as jet engines, gas turbines, and nuclear reactors—standard stainless steel often falls short. That’s where nickel-based superalloys come into play, especially NIMONIC and Inconel. These two alloy families are engineered for extreme thermal resistance, corrosion protection, and mechanical strength. But while they share many characteristics, they also differ in composition, applications, and performance. This article explores the key differences between NIMONIC bars and Inconel bars, helping you determine which alloy is best for your specific industrial application.
1. What Is NIMONIC?
NIMONIC is a registered trademark of Special Metals Corporation, developed in the 1940s primarily for gas turbine components. It is a family of nickel-chromium-based superalloys, often enhanced with titanium, aluminum, and cobalt for precipitation hardening.
Popular NIMONIC grades include:
Key properties of NIMONIC bars:
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Outstanding high-temperature strength
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Exceptional creep resistance
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Good corrosion and oxidation resistance
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Excellent fatigue and thermal shock resistance
2. What Is Inconel?
Inconel is also a registered trademark of Special Metals Corporation, and it represents a wide range of nickel-chromium-based superalloys. Unlike NIMONIC, Inconel alloys often include molybdenum, iron, and niobium to enhance corrosion resistance in both oxidizing and reducing environments.
Popular Inconel grades include:
Key properties of Inconel bars:
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High corrosion resistance in extreme environments
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Oxidation resistance at high temperatures
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Maintains strength over a wide range of temperatures
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Excellent weldability (especially Inconel 625)
3. Chemical Composition
Let’s compare two popular grades: NIMONIC 80A vs. Inconel 718
Element | NIMONIC 80A (%) | Inconel 718 (%) |
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Nickel (Ni) | ~69 | 50–55 |
Chromium (Cr) | ~20 | 17–21 |
Titanium (Ti) | 2.0–2.5 | 0.65–1.15 |
Aluminum (Al) | 1.0–1.8 | 0.2–0.8 |
Cobalt (Co) | Optional (~2%) | — |
Molybdenum | — | 2.8–3.3 |
Niobium | — | 4.75–5.5 |
Iron (Fe) | Balance | Remainder (~17%) |
Conclusion:
NIMONIC is more focused on thermal and creep strength, while Inconel adds molybdenum and niobium for enhanced corrosion resistance and structural integrity.
4. Temperature Resistance
NIMONIC Bar:
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Performs excellently in temperatures above 800°C
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Ideal for jet engine blades, turbine discs, and exhaust valves
Inconel Bar:
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Excellent performance in both high and cryogenic temperatures
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Inconel 718 maintains strength up to 700°C, and Inconel 600 up to 1090°C
Conclusion:
NIMONIC has a slight edge in sustained high-temperature stability, whereas Inconel offers broader temperature tolerance.
5. Mechanical Strength and Creep Resistance
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NIMONIC alloys like 80A and 90 are designed for creep resistance under prolonged stress at high temperatures.
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Inconel 718, with age hardening, offers high tensile, fatigue, and rupture strength, even after long service durations.
Both alloys exhibit excellent mechanical strength, but NIMONIC is often preferred in rotating turbine parts due to better creep behavior.
6. Corrosion and Oxidation Resistance
Inconel Bar:
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Superior resistance to acidic, seawater, and oxidizing environments
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Ideal for chemical processing, marine, and aerospace structures
NIMONIC Bar:
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Strong oxidation resistance but not as corrosion-resistant as Inconel
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Mostly used in controlled environments like engines or turbines
Conclusion:
Inconel wins for corrosion resistance, especially in harsh chemical or marine environments.
7. Weldability and Machinability
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Inconel 625 and 600 are relatively easier to weld and fabricate.
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NIMONIC alloys are more difficult to weld due to high carbon and titanium content, which can cause cracking without proper techniques.
Machinability:
Both materials are hard to machine, but Inconel generally offers better workability when processed with appropriate tools and techniques.
8. Typical Applications
NIMONIC Bar Applications:
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Turbine blades
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Jet engine components
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Exhaust valves
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High-temperature springs
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Nuclear reactor core parts
Inconel Bar Applications:
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Chemical processing equipment
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Heat exchangers and condensers
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Marine hardware
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Aerospace fasteners and components
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Cryogenic tanks
sasaalloy offers both NIMONIC and Inconel round bars for advanced engineering applications, with full traceability and certification.
9. Industry Standards
NIMONIC Bars Common Standards:
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BS HR1
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AMS 5829
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ASTM B637 (for some grades)
Inconel Bars Common Standards:
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ASTM B446 (Inconel 625)
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ASTM B637 (Inconel 718)
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AMS 5662, AMS 5663
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ASME SB-166, SB-564
sasaalloy ensures all bars conform to relevant ASTM, AMS, and EN specifications as required by the client.
10. Cost Considerations
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NIMONIC bars are generally more expensive per kg, especially in grades like 90 and 105, due to high nickel and cobalt content.
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Inconel bars are also costly, but Inconel 625 and 718 are more widely available, potentially lowering procurement costs.
For budget-conscious projects requiring corrosion resistance, Inconel is often the more practical choice.
11. Summary Table
Property | NIMONIC Bar | Inconel Bar |
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Base Elements | Ni-Cr-Ti-Al | Ni-Cr-Mo-Nb |
Temp. Resistance | Excellent at >800°C | Excellent across temp. ranges |
Creep Resistance | Superior | Good |
Corrosion Resistance | Moderate | Excellent |
Weldability | Limited | Good |
Machinability | Challenging | Less challenging |
Applications | Turbines, jet engines | Marine, chemical, cryogenic |
Common Grades | 75, 80A, 90, 105 | 600, 625, 718, X-750 |
Conclusion
Choosing between NIMONIC bar and Inconel bar depends on your specific application requirements:
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Select NIMONIC when you need exceptional creep strength and thermal resistance—especially for aerospace or turbine components.
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Choose Inconel for environments involving corrosion, wide temperature swings, or weldability, such as marine, nuclear, or chemical processing systems.
At sasaalloy, we specialize in supplying precision-forged NIMONIC and Inconel bars in a range of sizes, lengths, and conditions, tailored to the most demanding industries. With expert metallurgical support and full documentation, sasaalloy is your trusted partner in high-performance alloys.
Post time: Jul-30-2025