Inconel 601: Complete Properties & Application Guide

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Overview

Inconel 601 (UNS N06601 / W.Nr. 2.4851) is a nickel-chromium-iron alloy with an addition of aluminum that provides outstanding resistance to oxidation and other forms of high-temperature corrosion up to 1180°C. The tightly adherent alumina scale formed at high temperatures gives this alloy exceptional resistance to spalling under cyclic thermal conditions.

Chemical Composition

The chemical composition of Inconel 601 is carefully controlled to achieve its unique combination of properties and performance characteristics.

Element	Min %	Max %
Nickel (Ni)	Balance	Balance
Chromium (Cr)	22.0	25.0
Iron (Fe)	12.0	18.0
Aluminum (Al)	1.0	1.7
Carbon (C)	0.03	0.10
Manganese (Mn)	—	1.0
Sulfur (S)	—	0.015
Silicon (Si)	—	0.50

Mechanical Properties at Room Temperature

The mechanical properties of Inconel 601 vary depending on product form and heat treatment condition. The data below represents typical values for solution-annealed material.

Property	Value
Tensile Strength	655 MPa
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)	240 MPa
Elongation in 2 inches	40%
Density	8.11 g/cm3
Melting Point	1360 °C
Max Service Temperature	1180 °C

Corrosion Resistance

The high chromium and aluminum contents provide exceptional oxidation resistance. The alloy forms a tightly adherent oxide scale that resists spalling under cyclic temperature conditions. It also offers good resistance to carburization and chloride stress corrosion cracking.

Applications

The unique combination of properties makes Inconel 601 suitable for a wide range of demanding applications:

• Industrial Furnaces: Radiant tubes, muffles, retorts, and furnace components operating at temperatures up to 1180°C.
• Petrochemical Processing: Catalyst regenerator components and reformer tubes in petrochemical plants.
• Power Generation: Superheater tube supports and ash-handling components in waste incineration plants.
• Heat Treatment Equipment: Annealing covers, baskets, and fixtures for heat treatment furnaces.
• Chemical Processing: Process heaters, condenser tubes, and reaction vessels handling hot corrosive gases.

Available Product Forms

Hangbo Alloy Group manufactures and supplies Inconel 601 in the following product forms, conforming to ASTM, AMS, and ASME specifications:

• Round Bars: Diameters from 6 mm to 300 mm, hot-finished or cold-drawn, solution annealed.
• Seamless Tubes & Pipes: Sizes from 6 mm OD to 219 mm OD, various wall thicknesses.
• Plates & Sheets: Thicknesses from 0.5 mm to 50 mm, hot-rolled or cold-rolled.
• Forgings: Custom flanges, rings, discs, and complex shapes per customer drawing.
• Welding Wire: Diameters 0.8 mm to 5.0 mm, precision-wound coils and spools.

Related Standards

Standard	Description
ASTM B167	Seamless Pipe and Tube
ASTM B168	Plate, Sheet, and Strip
ASTM B166	Bar and Rod
ASTM B564	Forgings
AMS 5870	Sheet and Strip
AMS 5666	Bar and Forging

Oxidation and Carburisation Resistance

Inconel 601 (UNS N06601) is specified for furnace hardware because its aluminium content forms a tightly adherent alumina-rich scale that survives repeated thermal cycling — the usual failure mode for lower-alloy heat-resistant steels.

Condition	Performance
Max continuous service (air)	≈ 1250 °C
Cyclic oxidation, 1100 °C	Excellent — scale spallation resistant
Carburising atmospheres	Good to ≈ 1000 °C
Sulphur-bearing oxidising gas	Poor — avoid
Tensile at 20 °C	≈ 650 MPa
Tensile at 870 °C	≈ 160 MPa

For severe carbon pickup, see our article on carburisation resistance; above 1000 °C in carburising gas, consider a higher-aluminium or aluminised material.

Fabrication, Welding and Machining

• Solution anneal at 1100–1180 °C; hot work between 1150 °C and 900 °C.
• Weld by GTAW / GMAW using ERNiCrFe-11 (601 filler) or ERNiCr-3 for dissimilar joints.
• Clean joint faces thoroughly — sulphur, lead and phosphorus from marking materials cause hot cracking.
• No preheat or post-weld heat treatment needed for standard furnace fabrications.
• Machine annealed with carbide tooling, low speed and heavy feed to stay below the work-hardened layer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes 601 better than 310S stainless for furnace fixtures?

The alumina-forming scale. 310S relies on chromia, which spalls under thermal cycling and in high-velocity gas; 601's scale stays adherent, so fixtures last several times longer in cyclic service.

Can 601 be used in reducing atmospheres?

It performs well in oxidising and carburising atmospheres but is not recommended for strongly reducing, sulphur-bearing environments — nickel-sulphide eutectics form and attack the grain boundaries.

What product forms does Hangbo supply in 601?

Plate, sheet, strip, round bar, seamless tube, wire and fabricated baskets, trays and radiant tubes to ASTM B168 / B166 / B167 with EN 10204 3.1 certification.

What is the chemical composition of Inconel 601?

UNS N06601 / W.Nr. 2.4851: nickel balance, 22-25% chromium, 12-18% iron and 1.0-1.7% aluminum, which forms a tightly adherent alumina scale.

What are its mechanical properties?

Tensile about 655 MPa, yield about 240 MPa and 40% elongation in the solution-annealed condition.

What is the maximum service temperature?

Outstanding oxidation resistance to about 1180 °C, with good spalling resistance under thermal cycling.

What applications suit 601?

Furnace components, radiant tubes, thermocouple protection tubes and heat-treatment baskets.

What standards cover Inconel 601?

UNS N06601 / W.Nr. 2.4851, supplied to the relevant ASTM/AMS product specifications.

How is 601 supplied?

Round bar, plate, sheet, tube and forgings, with mill test certification and traceability.

Contact Us for Inconel 601

Hangbo Alloy Group maintains extensive inventory of Inconel 601 in all standard product forms. We can provide mill test certificates, third-party inspection reports (SGS, TUV), and custom processing services.

For quotations, material certifications, or technical consultation, contact our sales team or call +86 166 2109 2936. We typically respond within 10 minutes.