Nickel Alloy Alloy 689 vs Inconel 617
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Alloy 689 and Inconel 617 are both nickel alloy grades. Alloy 689 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 840 MPa (122 ksi) against 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) for Inconel 617, about 155% more; tensile strength follows at 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi). In exchange, Inconel 617 is the more ductile: elongation 58% versus 16% for Alloy 689, and Alloy 689 is harder (331 HB vs 173 HB). Inconel 617 runs hotter in service (1,100°C vs 815°C continuous) and Inconel 617 conducts heat better (13.6 W/m·K vs 11.7 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Inconel 617 welds better (very good vs poor).
Alloy 689Choose it when strength drives the design.
Inconel 617Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Alloy 689 vs Inconel 617: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3
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)
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
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
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 12% · Polishability 70 / 100
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
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 689 | Inconel 617 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Alloy 689 vs Inconel 617 — frequently asked
Is Alloy 689 stronger than Inconel 617?
Yes. Alloy 689 has a typical yield strength of 840 MPa (122 ksi) against 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) for Inconel 617 — about 155% more. Tensile strength is 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Alloy 689 or Inconel 617?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Alloy 689 or Inconel 617?
Inconel 617. Its machinability rates poor (18/100) against not recommended (13/100) for Alloy 689; for welding the order is Inconel 617 first (very good, 75/100) then Alloy 689 (poor, 30/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 689 and Inconel 617 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.