Nickel Alloy Inconel® 718 – Properties, Applications and Technical Data
Inconel 718 is a nickel-chromium superalloy that is age-hardenable (precipitation-hardenable) and known for its very high strength, good corrosion resistance and excellent performance at elevated temperatures. The material combines high fatigue and creep strength with good dimensional stability, making it a safe choice in applications where reliability and long service life are crucial. Inconel® 718 is widely used in the aerospace industry, the energy sector and demanding process and engineering applications.
Properties of Inconel 718
Inconel 718 is strengthened by precipitation hardening and contains, among other elements, niobium, which contributes to its high strength. The alloy retains its mechanical properties over a wide temperature range, has good fatigue strength and very good resistance to creep at elevated temperatures. The material also has good weldability compared to many other precipitation-hardenable nickel-based superalloys, which facilitates the manufacture of complex components.
- Type: Precipitation-hardenable nickel-chromium superalloy
- Alloy: Ni-Cr-Fe-Nb-Mo (Inconel 718)
- Structure: Austenitic nickel-based superalloy
- Designations: Inconel 718, Alloy 718, UNS N07718, Werkstoffnr 2.4668, ASTM B637, AMS 5596, AMS 5662, AMS 5663, AMS 5664
Advantages
- Very high strength through precipitation hardening
- Excellent fatigue strength and good creep strength
- Good corrosion and oxidation resistance
- Relatively good weldability for a precipitation hardenable superalloy
- Stable performance in demanding environments and at elevated temperatures
Limitations
- Requires controlled heat treatment to achieve desired properties
- Higher material cost than many stainless steels and simpler nickel-based alloys
- Can be difficult to machine (machine) in the hardened condition
Typical applications
Aerospace industry
Turbine and engine components, fasteners, rings and structural parts with high strength requirements.
Energy and Power Generation
Components in gas turbines, high-temperature systems and applications with requirements for creep and fatigue strength.
Oil and Gas
High-performance fasteners, valve parts and components in demanding environments with high mechanical loads.
Industrial high-temperature applications
Components where long life, dimensional stability and high strength are essential.
Corrosion and oxidation resistance
Inconel 718 offers good corrosion resistance in many industrial environments and has good oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures. The material is often chosen when it is necessary to combine corrosion resistance with very high mechanical performance.
Environments where Inconel 718 performs well
- High temperature environments with requirements for strength and dimensional stability
- Oxidizing atmospheres at elevated temperatures
- Environments with high mechanical loads and fatigue effects
- Many industrial corrosive environments where nickel-based alloys are used
Environments to avoid
- Applications where simpler materials provide sufficient performance and lower cost
- Extremely sulfur-rich environments at very high temperatures (depending on exact operating conditions)
Technical data (solution treated and aged)
| Yield strength (0.2%) |
~1030–1240 MPa |
| Tensile strength |
~1240–1450 MPa |
| Elongation at break |
~12–20% |
| Density |
~8.19 g/cm³ |
| Modulus of elasticity |
~200 GPa |
| Recommended maximum temperature |
≤650–700°C (depending on requirements and exposure time) |
| Weldability |
Good – commonly used filler materials are e.g. ERNiFeCr-2 (GTAW/GMAW) |
With a global network of reliable suppliers, we offer customized solutions and fast access to the right nickel-based superalloy for your needs.
Contact us if you need technical advice or a quote – we will help you find the right material for your application.
Buy Inconel® 718 from HARALD PIHL – your specialist in high-performance nickel-based alloys with global delivery.
Our strengths
- Large stock of nickel-based alloys
- Fast global delivery
- Full material certification
- Standards according to ASTM / AMS / ISO
