Nickel Alloy
Nickel Alloy Inconel 601
Properties, tempers, machining, finishes and uses — values shown for the ANN condition.
Inconel 601 (N06601 / 2.4851, NiCr23Fe, ASTM B168) is the aluminium-bearing variant of the 600 family; the Al-Cr oxide it forms is tenacious and gives oxidation resistance to 1200 °C.
Reference datasheet — Inconel 601 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
What is Inconel 601?
Inconel 601 (N06601 / 2.4851, NiCr23Fe, ASTM B168) is the aluminium-bearing variant of the 600 family; the Al-Cr oxide it forms is tenacious and gives oxidation resistance to 1200 °C. Annealed product shows 310 MPa yield, 690 MPa tensile strength, 45 % elongation and about 150 HB, with a maximum service temperature of 1150 °C on file, supplied as sheet, plate, strip, bar and tube plus the grain-controlled 601GC variant for creep-limited parts. Formability (score 72) and machinability (score 28) are both lower than plain 600, and creep strength is still that of a solid-solution alloy. Choose Inconel 600 when chloride SCC resistance matters more than cyclic oxidation. Inconel 601 has a density of 8.11 g/cm³ (0.293 lb/in³), lighter than 76% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,360°C (2,480 °F). Inconel 601 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — weaker than 72% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).
What is Inconel 601 used for?
- furnace retorts
- thermocouple protection tubes
- petrochemical furnace hardware
Advantages
- High service temperature — 1,150°C (2,102 °F), better than 95% of nickel alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 72/100, better than 76% of nickel alloy grades
Inconel 601 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Inconel 601-ANN (standard stocked condition for plate, sheet, tube and bar — best ductility, formability and oxidation performance for service above 600 °c), compiled from standards, handbooks and producer data. Each bar shows where the value sits among the nickel alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher. Other conditions have their own pages: see tempers.
Physical3
Inconel 601 has a density of 8.11 g/cm³ (0.293 lb/in³), lighter than 76% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,360°C (2,480 °F).
Mechanical15
Inconel 601 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — weaker than 72% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).
Thermal5
Inconel 601 is rated for continuous service to 1,150°C (2,102 °F). It conducts heat at 11.2 W/m·K (6.47 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 53% of nickel alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 13.8 µm/m·K (7.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Inconel 601 conducts electricity at 1.5 % IACS, worse than 51% of nickel alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 50% of nickel alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Inconel 601 takes about 145 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — less than 76% of nickel alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
Inconel 601's machinability is poor (28/100, better than 81% of nickel alloy grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability very good (72/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Inconel 601 tempers and conditions
Inconel 601 is supplied in 7 conditions, each with its own property set. Open one for its full datasheet. ANN is what FabDigit quotes unless the drawing says otherwise.
- ANNDefaultStandard stocked condition for plate, sheet, tube and bar — best ductility, formability and oxidation performance for service above 600 °C.310 MPa yield · 150 HB
- CWCold-drawn or cold-rolled without final anneal for higher room-temperature strength, straightness and closer tolerances; loses ductility and relaxes above ~600 °C.655 MPa yield · 25 HRC
- HRAs-hot-worked heavy bar and plate without final anneal — economical for machined furnace fixtures where forming ductility is not critical.330 MPa yield · 175 HB
4 further conditions are listed below with a summary only.
| Condition | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed (mill annealed, ASTM B168/B166/B167) | Standard stocked condition for plate, sheet, tube and bar — best ductility, formability and oxidation performance for service above 600 °C. | 310 | 690 | 45 | 150 HB | — |
Cold rolled + annealed sheet/strip | Thin sheet and strip with bright surface and fine grain — pick for deep-drawn or press-formed furnace and exhaust hardware. | 340 | 700 | 42 | 85 HRB | — |
Hot finished / hot rolled (as-worked bar, plate) | As-hot-worked heavy bar and plate without final anneal — economical for machined furnace fixtures where forming ductility is not critical. | 330 | 680 | 40 | 175 HB | — |
Cold worked / cold drawn (bar, tube, wire) | Cold-drawn or cold-rolled without final anneal for higher room-temperature strength, straightness and closer tolerances; loses ductility and relaxes above ~600 °C. | 655 | 860 | 20 | 25 HRC | — |
Cold worked + stress relieved | Cold-drawn product given a sub-recrystallisation stress relief — use where residual stress and distortion during machining or service heating must be limited while keeping some cold-work strength. | 550 | 790 | 27 | 95 HRB | — |
grain-size-controlled composition, annealed | Composition- and grain-controlled version of 601 sold for radiant tubes and thermal-reactor parts needing better high-temperature creep-rupture life and scale adherence. | 300 | 690 | 45 | 78 HRB | — |
As-welded deposit (FM 601 / ERNiCrFe-11 weld metal) | Matching filler weld metal properties for design of welded 601 fabrications; deposit is somewhat stronger and less ductile than annealed base metal. | 400 | 640 | 35 | 88 HRB | — |
Working with Inconel 601
Is Inconel 601 easy to machine?
Machine like a gummy austenitic superalloy: rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, low speed with heavy feed, generous flood coolant and no dwelling, since the alloy work-hardens rapidly and glazes cut surfaces.
Can Inconel 601 be welded?
Readily joined by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching FM 601 (ERNiCrFe-11) or 82/617-type fillers; keep the joint clean of sulphur and oil, use low heat input and stringer beads, and no post-weld heat treatment is normally required.
Can Inconel 601 be formed, bent or molded?
Annealed sheet cold-forms and deep-draws well but needs roughly 1.5–2× the force of stainless and frequent interstage annealing at 1090–1180 °C; hot work in the 1090–1230 °C range with fast finishing.
Strength versus weight in the nickel alloy family
Yield strength against density for every nickel alloy grade FabDigit runs. Inconel 601 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Inconel 601 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Niplus cobalt in some specs | 58 – 63 | 60.5 |
| Cr | 21 – 25 | 23 |
| Alforms the protective alumina-rich sub-scale | 1 – 1.7 | 1.35 |
| C | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Cu | ≤ 1 | 0.3 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0 |
| Fe | ≥ 13.4 (balance) | — |
What surface finishes work on Inconel 601?
Grit blast or pickle in HNO3-HF to remove the tenacious Al-Cr oxide before brazing, plating or painting; polishes to a bright finish, and a pre-oxidation heat in air builds the protective scale for high-temperature service.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on nickel alloy parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing.
Plating
- Gold Plating
- Silver Plating
Thermal Spray
- Plasma Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Nickel Alloy Inconel 601 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- N06601
- ASTM
- B168
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 2.4851NiCr23Fe
- Also called
- NA49
How much does Inconel 601 cost?
Inconel 601 is a high-cost nickel alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Inconel 601 — frequently asked
What is Inconel 601 used for?
Inconel 601 is typically used for furnace retorts, thermocouple protection tubes and petrochemical furnace hardware. In short: best cyclic oxidation in 600 family; al-stabilised scale to 1200 °C; 601GC for creep-limited parts.
What is the yield strength of Inconel 601?
Inconel 601 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — weaker than 72% of nickel alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is Inconel 601 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, better than 81% of nickel alloy grades). Machine like a gummy austenitic superalloy: rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, low speed with heavy feed, generous flood coolant and no dwelling, since the alloy work-hardens rapidly and glazes cut surfaces.
Can Inconel 601 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (78/100). Readily joined by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching FM 601 (ERNiCrFe-11) or 82/617-type fillers; keep the joint clean of sulphur and oil, use low heat input and stringer beads, and no post-weld heat treatment is normally required.
What surface finishes work on Inconel 601?
Grit blast or pickle in HNO3-HF to remove the tenacious Al-Cr oxide before brazing, plating or painting; polishes to a bright finish, and a pre-oxidation heat in air builds the protective scale for high-temperature service.
Can Inconel 601 be formed, bent or molded?
Annealed sheet cold-forms and deep-draws well but needs roughly 1.5–2× the force of stainless and frequent interstage annealing at 1090–1180 °C; hot work in the 1090–1230 °C range with fast finishing.
What is the maximum service temperature of Inconel 601?
Inconel 601 is rated for continuous use to about 1,150°C (2,102 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Inconel 601-ANN and Inconel 601-CW?
ANN is the default condition — standard stocked condition for plate, sheet, tube and bar — best ductility, formability and oxidation performance for service above 600 °C. CW: cold-drawn or cold-rolled without final anneal for higher room-temperature strength, straightness and closer tolerances; loses ductility and relaxes above ~600 °C. Yield strength is 310 MPa in ANN versus 655 MPa in CW.
How much does Inconel 601 cost?
Inconel 601 is a high-cost nickel alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- INCONEL alloy 601 / 601GC product datasheet — Special Metals Corporation (2005)
- ASTM B168 — Ni-Cr-Fe alloy plate, sheet and strip (N06601) — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM B166/B167 — Ni-Cr-Fe alloy rod, bar, wire and seamless pipe/tube — ASTM International (2019)
- VdTÜV-Werkstoffblatt / DIN material 2.4851 NiCr23Fe — DIN / VdTÜV (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys (heat-resistant Ni-Cr-Fe alloys) — ASM International (1990)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.