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Nickel Alloy Inconel 617 vs Inconel 725

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy Inconel 617 and Inconel 725 are both nickel alloy grades. Inconel 725 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 890 MPa (129 ksi) against 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) for Inconel 617, about 170% 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 25% for Inconel 725, and Inconel 725 is harder (330 HB vs 173 HB). Inconel 617 runs hotter in service (1,100°C vs 650°C continuous) and Inconel 617 conducts heat better (13.6 W/m·K vs 10.8 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Inconel 617 welds better (very good vs good).

Inconel 617Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

Inconel 725Choose it when strength drives the design.

Inconel 617 vs Inconel 725: properties

Inconel 617Inconel 725

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

211 GPa30.6 Msi
204 GPa29.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

81 GPa11.7 Msi
79 GPa11.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

176 GPa25.5 Msi
162 GPa23.5 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

760 MPa110 ksi
1,240 MPa180 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

330 MPa47.9 ksi
890 MPa129 ksi

Elongation at Break

58%
25%

Reduction in Area

60%
42%

Shear Strength

480 MPa69.6 ksi
740 MPa107 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

340 MPa49.3 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

150 MPa·√m137 ksi·√in
110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

130 J95.9 ft·lbf
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

173 HB
330 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

88 HRB
—

Compressive Strength

—
920 MPa133 ksi

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
35 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

—
345 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.36 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
8.31 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,332°C2,430 °F
1,271°C2,320 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,380°C2,516 °F
1,343°C2,449 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

13.6 W/m·K7.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
10.8 W/m·K6.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

419 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
435 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.6 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
12.8 µm/m·K7.1 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,100°C2,012 °F
650°C1,202 °F

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

1.4 % IACS
1.4 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.22×10⁻⁶ Ω·m48 µΩ·in
1.2×10⁻⁶ Ω·m47.2 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.05 V
-0.1 V

Corrosion Resistance

80 / 100
88 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

18 / 100
14 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

12%
10%

Weldability

75 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

65 / 100
25 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

70 / 100
50 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
75 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

190 MJ/kg81,685 BTU/lb
250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

13 kg CO₂/kg
18 kg CO₂/kg

Same in both: Embodied Water 320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

91 kN·m/kg
149 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.2 MN·m/kg
24.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

258 kJ/m³
1,941 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.9 mm²/s
3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

4
5

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 617Inconel 725

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityInconel 617Inconel 725
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 617 vs Inconel 725 — frequently asked

Is Inconel 725 stronger than Inconel 617?

Yes. Inconel 725 has a typical yield strength of 890 MPa (129 ksi) against 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) for Inconel 617 — about 170% more. Tensile strength is 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Inconel 617 or Inconel 725?

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, Inconel 617 or Inconel 725?

Inconel 617. Its weldability rates very good (75/100) against good (55/100) for Inconel 725.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Inconel 617 and Inconel 725 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.