10/23/2019 Inconel vs Stainless Steel: Which is Stronger?
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Inconel vs Stainless
Steel: Which is
Stronger?
In Mechanical Engineering
Marlin Steel on May 7, 2019
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10/23/2019 Inconel vs Stainless Steel: Which is Stronger?
Many of Marlin Steel’s customers want to
have the absolute strongest metal possible
for their custom wire forms. This often leads
to questions comparing two speci c metals—
such as, “Is Inconel a form of stainless steel?”
(it is similar, but di erent) and, “Is Inconel
stronger than steel?” The answer is: it
depends on what you mean by "stronger."
Strength can be measured by tensile
strength, corrosion resistance, or even melt
resistance.
Why Comparing Inconel Vs
Stainless Steel Can Be
Complicated
When comparing stainless steel vs Inconel, it is important to remember that there are
di erent formulations for each. The variants of stainless steel have drastically di erent
tensile strength, recommended operating temperature, and resistance to speci c
corrosives. For example, grade 316 stainless steel tends to have a higher resistance to
chlorides than 304 stainless steel (but also has a higher cost on average).
Additionally, certain treatment and forming methods may a ect the tensile strength of a
metal. For example, according to data from specialmetals.com, the tensile strength of an
“as-rolled” bar of Inconel 625® is 120-160 ksi (827-1103 MPa), while a “Solution-Treated”
bar has 103-130 ksi (714-896 MPa) of tensile strength.
You might have noticed that both of these tensile strength ratings are given as a range
instead of a speci c number. This is because the strength of a metal may vary somewhat
depending on the precise proportion of ingredients in it—a slight variation in carbon,
nickel, or iron content can signi cantly alter the nal product’s strength.
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10/23/2019 Inconel vs Stainless Steel: Which is Stronger?
So, is Inconel Stronger Than
Steel?
Here’s a quick comparison of Inconel vs stainless steel to help answer the question of
which is stronger:
Alloy Inconel 625® 304 Stainless Steel
Tensile Strength 103-160 ksi (714-1,103 MPa) 73.2 ksi (505 MPa)
Melting Point 2,350-2,460°F (1,290- 2,550-2,650˚F (1,400-1,455˚C)
1,350°C)
Operating Temperature 1,800°F (982°C) 1,697°F (952°C)
Corrosion Resistance Resistant to oxalic acid and Excellent all-around
high-temperature oxidation resistance—though it’s
vulnerable to chlorides and
high-temp oxidation
Inconel 625® has a higher tensile strength than grade 304 stainless steel, and does a
better job of maintaining that strength at higher operating temperatures.
Additionally, though the melting point of this particular type of Inconel is lower than that
of 304 stainless steel, it has a higher operating temperature limit. This is because
Inconel is stronger than stainless steel at high temperatures, while being more resistant
to oxidation and scaling as well.
However, there are speci c chemicals that the stainless steel might be better at
resisting than Inconel—such as sulfuric acid. So, the choice of which of these two metal
alloys to use will depend on the speci c application they’ll be used for.
Inconel alloys tend to be better for heat treating applications and other high-
temperature processes. Meanwhile, stainless steel alloys are often suitable for sterile
manufacturing or medical applications (or any application involving corrosives).
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10/23/2019 Inconel vs Stainless Steel: Which is Stronger?
Need help choosing the right metal alloy for your needs? Reach out to the Marlin Steel
team today for more information about Inconel, stainless steel, and other custom wire
form materials.
Author: Marlin Steel
Marlin Steel is a leading manufacturer of custom‐engineered products from steel wire and sheet
metal. Its industrial material handling containers serve many industries including aerospace,
defense, medical and automotive.
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10/23/2019 Inconel vs Stainless Steel: Which is Stronger?
Stainless Steel Properties Reference
A summary sheet comparing key characteristics of commonly used stainless steel
alloys.
Download Now
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