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Nickel Alloy Inconel 600 vs Inconel 690

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy Inconel 600 and Inconel 690 are both nickel alloy grades. Inconel 690 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 345 MPa (50 ksi) against 255 MPa (37 ksi) for Inconel 600, about 35% more; tensile strength follows at 725 MPa (105 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). Inconel 690 is harder — 170 HB against 150 HB for Inconel 600 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Inconel 690 is lighter (8.19 g/cm³ vs 8.47 g/cm³ for Inconel 600) and Inconel 600 conducts electricity better (1.7 % IACS vs 1.5 % IACS).

Inconel 690Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

Inconel 600 vs Inconel 690: properties

Inconel 600Inconel 690

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

214 GPa31 Msi
211 GPa30.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

76 GPa11 Msi
82 GPa11.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
167 GPa24.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.32
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

620 MPa89.9 ksi
725 MPa105 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

255 MPa37 ksi
345 MPa50 ksi

Elongation at Break

42%
45%

Shear Strength

410 MPa59.5 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

280 MPa40.6 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in
200 MPa·√m182 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

250 J184 ft·lbf
180 J133 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

150 HB
170 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

78 HRB
86 HRB

Compressive Strength

—
350 MPa50.8 ksi

Hardness, Vickers

—
180 HV

Same in both: Reduction in Area 60%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.47 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.19 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,354°C2,469 °F
1,343°C2,449 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,413°C2,575 °F
1,377°C2,511 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

14.9 W/m·K8.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
13.5 W/m·K7.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

13.3 µm/m·K7.4 µin/in·°F
14 µm/m·K7.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,100°C2,012 °F
1,050°C1,922 °F

Min Service Temperature

-250°C-418 °F
-196°C-321 °F

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

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.7 % IACS
1.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.03×10⁻⁶ Ω·m40.6 µΩ·in
1.15×10⁻⁶ Ω·m45.2 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.17 V
-0.15 V

Corrosion Resistance

78 / 100
88 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

28 / 100
25 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

25%
12%

Weldability

80 / 100
78 / 100

Formability (cold)

78 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

30 / 100
40 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
75 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 65 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb
135 MJ/kg58,040 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

11.5 kg CO₂/kg
13.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb
600 L/kg71.9 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

73 kN·m/kg
89 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.3 MN·m/kg
25.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

152 kJ/m³
282 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

4 mm²/s
3.7 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 600Inconel 690

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityInconel 600Inconel 690
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

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

Inconel 600 vs Inconel 690 — frequently asked

Is Inconel 690 stronger than Inconel 600?

Yes. Inconel 690 has a typical yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) against 255 MPa (37 ksi) for Inconel 600 — about 35% more. Tensile strength is 725 MPa (105 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Inconel 600 or Inconel 690?

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.

When should I choose Inconel 600 over Inconel 690?

Pick Inconel 690 when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Inconel 600 and Inconel 690 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.