Nickel Alloy 601GC vs Inconel 625
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy 601GC and Inconel 625 are both nickel alloy grades. Inconel 625 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for 601GC, about 58% more; tensile strength follows at 930 MPa (135 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi). Inconel 625 is harder — 190 HB against 170 HB for 601GC — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 601GC is lighter (8.11 g/cm³ vs 8.44 g/cm³ for Inconel 625) and 601GC runs hotter in service (1,200°C vs 650°C continuous). On the shop floor, 601GC forms better (80 vs 70 out of 100) and Inconel 625 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than 601GC (high, $$$$).
601GCChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
Inconel 625Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
601GC vs Inconel 625: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all nickel alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all nickel alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Same in both: Reduction in Area 55%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 12% · Brazeability / Solderability 65 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 35%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 601GC | Inconel 625 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| 3D printing | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | O |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | 1.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| HVOF Coating | — | Yes |
They share 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
601GC vs Inconel 625 — frequently asked
Is Inconel 625 stronger than 601GC?
Yes. Inconel 625 has a typical yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for 601GC — about 58% more. Tensile strength is 930 MPa (135 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 601GC or Inconel 625?
Inconel 625 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while 601GC is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
When should I choose 601GC over Inconel 625?
Pick 601GC when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat. Pick Inconel 625 when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 601GC and Inconel 625 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.