Nickel Alloy Inconel 601 vs Inconel 603
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Inconel 601 and Inconel 603 are both nickel alloy grades. Inconel 603 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Inconel 601, about 10% more. Inconel 603 is harder — 180 HB against 150 HB for Inconel 601 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Inconel 603 is lighter (7.75 g/cm³ vs 8.11 g/cm³ for Inconel 601). On the shop floor, Inconel 601 welds better (very good vs good) and Inconel 601 forms better (very good vs good).
Inconel 601Choose it when it will be welded.
Inconel 603Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Inconel 601 vs Inconel 603: 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
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 79 GPa11.5 Msi · 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
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 1,150°C2,102 °F · 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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 40%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 3.1 mm²/s · 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 | Inconel 601 | Inconel 603 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Inconel 601 vs Inconel 603 — frequently asked
Is Inconel 603 stronger than Inconel 601?
Yes. Inconel 603 has a typical yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Inconel 601 — about 10% more. Tensile strength is 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Inconel 601 or Inconel 603?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Inconel 601 or Inconel 603?
Inconel 601, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 20/100 for Inconel 603; for welding the order is Inconel 601 first (very good, 78/100) then Inconel 603 (good, 55/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Inconel 601 and Inconel 603 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.