What is Inconel?
Inconel is a brand of superalloy—a type of high-performance steel made from a combination of nickel and chromium. It is known for its excellent resistance to corrosion, especially at high temperatures, and is often used in industries such as aerospace, chemical processing, and power generation. Inconel is also resistant to a variety of corrosive chemicals and has a high melting point, making it useful in high-temperature environments. Common applications for Inconel include heat exchangers, pressure vessels, and gas turbine engines.
What is Titanium
Titanium is a metallic element known for its strength, low weight, and corrosion resistance. It is found in a number of alloys and is used in a wide range of applications, including aerospace, military, and medical devices. Titanium has a number of characteristics that make it attractive for use across various industries. It is strong and lightweight, which makes it valuable in the aerospace industry, where weight is a major concern. It is also corrosion-resistant, making it useful in marine and chemical processing applications. In addition, titanium has a high melting point and is wear-resistant, making it suitable for high-temperature and high-stress environments. Common applications for titanium include aircraft parts, golf clubs, and surgical implants.
Inconel vs Titanium
Inconel and titanium are both highly corrosion-resistant and strong metals with a wide range of applications. However, there are some key differences between the two materials:
- Composition Inconel is a nickel-chromium-based superalloy, whereas titanium is a metallic element found in a number of alloys.
- Strength: Both are very strong, but titanium is generally considered to be stronger, especially at high temperatures.
- Weight Titanium is much lighter than Inconel, making it ideal for applications where weight is a concern, such as in the aerospace industry.
- Corrosion resistance: Both materials are corrosion-resistant, but Inconel excels in high-temperature conditions and exposure to aggressive chemicals.
- Cost: Inconel is generally more expensive than titanium.
Inconel is used in high-temperature applications and where enhanced corrosion resistance is required, while titanium is preferred when a combination of strength and low weight is desired.
| Property | Inconel | Titanium |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Nickel-chromium-based | Metallic element |
| Strength | High | High, particularly at high temperatures |
| Weight | Heavy | Light |
| Corrosion resistance | Excellent, particularly at high temperatures and with corrosive chemicals | Excellent |
| Cost | More expensive | Less expensive |
| Common applications | Aerospace, chemical processing, power generation, marine, medical, oil and gas | Aerospace, military, medical devices, sports equipment, chemical processing, oil and gas |
Difference in Chemical Composition
Inconel – Chemical Composition
| Inconel | Ni | Cr | Fe | Mo | Nb | Co | Mn | Cu | Al | Ti | Si | C | S | P | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600 | 72 | 14.0-17.0 | 6.0-10.0 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.15 | 0.015 | |||||||
| 617 | 44.2-56.0 | 20.0-24.0 | 3 | 8.0-10.0 | 10.0-15.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.8-1.5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.15 | 0.015 | 0.015 | 0.006 | |
| 625 | 58 | 20.0-23.0 | 5 | 8.0-10.0 | 3.15-4.15 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.015 | 0.015 | ||
| 690 | 59.5 | 30 | 9.2 | 0.35 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.35 | 0.019 | 0.003 | ||||||
| 718 | 50.0-55.0 | 17.0-21.0 | balance | 2.8-3.3 | 4.75-5.5 | 1 | 0.35 | 0.2-0.8 | 0.65-1.15 | 0.3 | 0.35 | 0.08 | 0.015 | 0.015 | 0.006 |
| X-750 | 70 | 14.0-17.0 | 5.0-9.0 | 0.7-1.2 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.4-1.0 | 2.25-2.75 | 0.5 | 0.08 | 0.01 |
Titanium – Chemical Composition
| Grade | C | O | N | Ti | H | Fe | V | Al |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titanium Gr 2 | 0.10 max | 0.25 max | 0.03 max | bal | 0.015 max | 0.30 max | ||
| Titanium Gr 5 | 0.10 max | 0.20 max | 0.05 max | bal | 0.015 max | 0.30 max | 3.5-4.5 | 5.5-6.75 max |
Equivalents
Inconel Equivalents
| STANDARD | WERKSTOFF NR. | UNS |
|---|---|---|
| Inconel 600 | 2.4816 | N06600 |
| Inconel 601 | 2.4851 | N06601 |
| Inconel 617 | 2.4663 | N06617 |
| Inconel 625 | 2.4856 | N06625 |
| Inconel 690 | 2.4642 | N06690 |
| Inconel 718 | 2.4668 | N07718 |
| Inconel 725 | – | N07725 |
| Inconel X-750 | 2.4669 | N07750 |
Titanium Equivalents
| STANDARD | WERKSTOFF NR. | UNS |
|---|---|---|
| Titanium Gr 1 | 3.7025 | R50250 |
| Titanium Gr 2 | 3.7035 | R50400 |
| Titanium Gr 5 | 3.7165 | R56400 |
| Titanium Gr 7 | 3.7235 | R52400 |
| Titanium Gr 9 | 3.7195 | R56320 |
| Titanium Gr 12 | 3.7105 | R53400 |
Welding Differences
Titanium welding
Titanium welding can be a challenging process due to its high reactivity and sensitivity to heat. The following are some tips for welding titanium:
- Utilizați un mediu curat, fără contaminanți – titanul este foarte reactiv și poate absorbi rapid impurități din mediul înconjurător.
- Use a clean, contaminant-free environment – titanium is highly reactive and can quickly absorb impurities from the surrounding atmosphere.
- Use low welding heat to avoid overheating the metal and potential embrittlement.
- Use a smaller weld pool to better control heat distribution.
- Use a smaller electrode and lower current to reduce the amount of heat generated.
Welding Inconel
Welding Inconel can be a challenging process due to its high strength and corrosion resistance. Here are some tips for welding Inconel:
- Use clean, contaminant-free equipment to prevent weld contamination.
- Use a clean, contaminant-free environment – titanium is highly reactive and can quickly absorb impurities from the surrounding atmosphere.
- Preheat the metal to reduce the risk of cracking and improve weld quality.
- Use low welding heat to avoid overheating the metal.
- Use a smaller weld pool, a smaller electrode, and lower current to control the amount of heat generated.
Difference in melting point, density, and tensile strength
Inconel
| Melting Point | Density | Tensile Strength | Elongation | Yield Strength (0.2% Offset) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600 | 1413 °C (2580 °F) | 8.47 g/cm³ | Psi – 95,000 , MPa – 655 | 40 % | Psi – 45,000 , MPa – 310 |
| 601 | 1411 °C (2571 °F) | 8.1 g/cm³ | Psi – 80,000 , MPa – 550 | 30 % | Psi – 30,000 , MPa – 205 |
| 617 | 1363 °C | 8.3 g/cm³ | ≥ 485 MPa | 25 % | ≥ 275 MPa |
| 625 | 1350 °C (2460 °F) | 8.4 g/cm³ | Psi – 135,000 , MPa – 930 | 42.5 % | Psi – 75,000 , MPa – 517 |
| 690 | 1363 °C | 8.3 g/cm³ | ≥ 485 MPa | 25 % | ≥ 275 MPa |
| 718 | 1350 °C (2460 °F) | 8.2 g/cm³ | Psi – 135,000 , MPa – 930 | 45 % | Psi – 70,000 , MPa – 482 |
| 725 | 1271 °C – 1343 °C | 8.31 g/cm³ | 1137 MPa | 20 % | 827 MPa |
| X-750 | 1430 °C | 8.28 g/cm³ | 1267 MPa | 25 % | 868 MPa |
Titanium
| Grade | Min. Tensile (KSI) | Min. Yield (KSI) | Hardness | Tensile Modulus | Poisson’s Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titanium Gr 2 | 50 | 40 | 14.9 | 103 GPa | 0.34-0.10 |
| Titanium Gr 5 | 130 | 120 | 16.4 | 114 GPa | 0.30-0.33 |
Differences in Usage
Inconel Applications
Inconel is a highly corrosion-resistant and strong metal, with a wide range of applications:
- Aerospace: used in the construction of engine components, exhaust systems, and structural parts of aircraft.
- Chemical processing: used for the construction of tanks, pipes, and equipment resistant to corrosive substances.
- Power generation: used in power plants for heat exchangers and other equipment exposed to high temperatures.
- Marine: ideal for underwater components due to its corrosion resistance.
- Medical: Used in the manufacturing of implants and other devices that require high strength.
- Oil and gas industry: used for pipes and equipment exposed to extreme conditions.
Titanium Applications
Titanium is a strong, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant metal with numerous applications:
- Aerospace: utilizat pentru piese de aeronave, motoare, corpuri de avioane și trenuri de aterizare.
- Militar: folosit în construcția de tancuri, armuri și alte echipamente militare datorită combinației de rezistență și greutate redusă.
- Medical: utilizat în fabricarea implanturilor, șuruburilor și plăcilor datorită biocompatibilității și rezistenței la coroziune.
- Echipament sportiv: folosit în construcția crosei de golf, rachetelor de tenis, cadrelor de biciclete și altor echipamente sportive.
- Chemical processing: datorită rezistenței la substanțe chimice corozive, este folosit pentru rezervoare, țevi și alte echipamente.
- Oil and gas industry: rezistența la temperaturi ridicate și substanțe corozive îl face ideal pentru țevi și alte echipamente de procesare.