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Nickel Alloy 800 vs Inconel 601

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy 800 and Inconel 601 are both nickel alloy grades. Inconel 601 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 800, about 24% more; tensile strength follows at 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi). Inconel 601 is harder — 150 HB against 138 HB for 800 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Inconel 601 runs hotter in service (1,150°C vs 815°C continuous) and 800 conducts electricity better (1.7 % IACS vs 1.5 % IACS).

Inconel 601Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

800 vs Inconel 601: properties

800Inconel 601

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

196.5 GPa28.5 Msi
206 GPa29.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

76.5 GPa11.1 Msi
79 GPa11.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

203 GPa29.4 Msi
180 GPa26.1 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.31

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

600 MPa87 ksi
690 MPa100 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
310 MPa45 ksi

Compressive Strength

250 MPa36.3 ksi
—

Shear Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
470 MPa68.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

260 MPa37.7 ksi
290 MPa42.1 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

160 J118 ft·lbf
170 J125 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

138 HB
150 HB

Hardness, Vickers

145 HV
160 HV

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in

Same in both: Elongation at Break 45% · Reduction in Area 60% · Hardness, Rockwell B 80 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.94 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
8.11 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,357°C2,475 °F
1,360°C2,480 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,385°C2,525 °F
1,411°C2,572 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

11.5 W/m·K6.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
11.2 W/m·K6.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

14.4 µm/m·K8 µin/in·°F
13.8 µm/m·K7.7 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

290 J/g125 BTU/lb
—

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

815°C1,499 °F
1,150°C2,102 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.7 % IACS
1.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

9.89×10⁻⁷ Ω·m38.9 µΩ·in
1.19×10⁻⁶ Ω·m46.9 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

75 / 100
78 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.15 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
28 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

28%
13%

Weldability

85 / 100
78 / 100

Formability (cold)

78 / 100
72 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

65 / 100
60 / 100

Castability

—
25 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

95 MJ/kg40,843 BTU/lb
145 MJ/kg62,339 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

7.5 kg CO₂/kg
13 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

76 kN·m/kg
85 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.7 MN·m/kg
25.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

159 kJ/m³
233 kJ/m³

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

2
3

Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 3.1 mm²/s

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 601800

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability800Inconel 601
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

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

800 vs Inconel 601 — frequently asked

Is Inconel 601 stronger than 800?

Yes. Inconel 601 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 800 — about 24% more. Tensile strength is 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 800 or Inconel 601?

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 welds better, 800 or Inconel 601?

800. Its weldability rates excellent (85/100) against very good (78/100) for Inconel 601.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 800 and Inconel 601 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.