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Nickel Alloy 601GC vs Inconel 600

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy 601GC and Inconel 600 are both nickel alloy grades. 601GC is the stronger of the two: yield strength 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 255 MPa (37 ksi) for Inconel 600, about 22% more; tensile strength follows at 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). 601GC is the more ductile: elongation 48% versus 42% for Inconel 600, and 601GC is harder (170 HB vs 150 HB). 601GC is lighter (8.11 g/cm³ vs 8.47 g/cm³ for Inconel 600) and 601GC runs hotter in service (1,200°C vs 1,100°C continuous).

601GCChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

601GC vs Inconel 600: properties

601GCInconel 600

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

206 GPa29.9 Msi
214 GPa31 Msi

Shear Modulus

78.5 GPa11.4 Msi
76 GPa11 Msi

Bulk Modulus

180 GPa26.1 Msi
200 GPa29 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.31
0.32

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

690 MPa100 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

310 MPa45 ksi
255 MPa37 ksi

Elongation at Break

48%
42%

Reduction in Area

55%
60%

Shear Strength

450 MPa65.3 ksi
410 MPa59.5 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
280 MPa40.6 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

130 J95.9 ft·lbf
250 J184 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

170 HB
150 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

85 HRB
78 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

180 HV
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.11 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
8.47 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,360°C2,480 °F
1,354°C2,469 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,411°C2,572 °F
1,413°C2,575 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

11.3 W/m·K6.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
14.9 W/m·K8.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

448 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
444 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

13.8 µm/m·K7.6 µin/in·°F
13.3 µm/m·K7.4 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,200°C2,192 °F
1,100°C2,012 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-250°C-418 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.5 % IACS
1.7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.19×10⁻⁶ Ω·m46.9 µΩ·in
1.03×10⁻⁶ Ω·m40.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.15 V
-0.17 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 78 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

22 / 100
28 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

12%
25%

Weldability

85 / 100
80 / 100

Formability (cold)

80 / 100
78 / 100

Same in both: Castability 30 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 65 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

12.5 kg CO₂/kg
11.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

35%
40%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

85 kN·m/kg
73 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.4 MN·m/kg
25.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

233 kJ/m³
152 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.1 mm²/s
4 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 3

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every nickel alloy grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

2005001,0006.577.588.59Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleInconel 600601GC

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability601GCInconel 600
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.

601GC vs Inconel 600 — frequently asked

Is 601GC stronger than Inconel 600?

Yes. 601GC has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 255 MPa (37 ksi) for Inconel 600 — about 22% more. Tensile strength is 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 601GC or Inconel 600?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, 601GC or Inconel 600?

Inconel 600, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 22/100 for 601GC; for welding the order is 601GC first (excellent, 85/100) then Inconel 600 (very good, 80/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 601GC and Inconel 600 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.