Nickel Alloy Alloy 602 CA vs Inconel 601
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Alloy 602 CA and Inconel 601 are both nickel alloy grades. Alloy 602 CA is the stronger of the two: yield strength 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Inconel 601, about 6% more; tensile strength follows at 750 MPa (109 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi). Alloy 602 CA is harder — 185 HB against 150 HB for Inconel 601 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Alloy 602 CA is stiffer (217 GPa vs 206 GPa). On the shop floor, Inconel 601 machines more easily (28 vs 18 out of 100), Inconel 601 welds better (very good vs good), and Inconel 601 forms better (very good vs good).
Alloy 602 CAChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Inconel 601Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when it will be welded.
Alloy 602 CA vs Inconel 601: 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)
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elongation at Break 45% · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 290 MPa42.1 ksi
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)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Castability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
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 | Alloy 602 CA | Inconel 601 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Alloy 602 CA vs Inconel 601 — frequently asked
Is Alloy 602 CA stronger than Inconel 601?
Yes. Alloy 602 CA has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Inconel 601 — about 6% more. Tensile strength is 750 MPa (109 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Alloy 602 CA or Inconel 601?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Alloy 602 CA or Inconel 601?
Inconel 601, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 18/100 for Alloy 602 CA; for welding the order is Inconel 601 first (very good, 78/100) then Alloy 602 CA (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 602 CA 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.