Inconel® Alloy 718 (UNS N06718)
Inconel® Alloy 718 is a high-strength, corrosion-resistant nickel-chromium material that is specifically engineered for extreme mechanical performance. Unlike many other Inconel grades, Alloy 718 is a precipitation-hardenable alloy, meaning it can be heat-treated to achieve exceptionally high yield, tensile, and creep-rupture properties. It is designed to maintain these characteristics at temperatures ranging from cryogenic levels up to 1300° F (704° C).
At Aries Alloys, we recognize that Alloy 718 is the "gold standard" for the aerospace and energy sectors. We provide premium-grade 718 materials that are rigorously tested to ensure they can withstand the massive pressure and thermal flux found in modern jet engines and high-pressure oil wells.
High-Performance Features
- Exceptional Tensile Strength: Once age-hardened, Alloy 718 provides significantly higher mechanical strength than almost any other commercially available nickel alloy.
- Superior Weldability: One of the few high-strength nickel alloys resistant to post-weld strain-age cracking, allowing for complex fabricated assemblies.
- Corrosion & Oxidation Resistance: Excellent protection against a variety of corrosive media, including seawater, as well as resistance to oxidation and carburization at high heat.
- Cryogenic Reliability: Unlike many steels that become brittle, Alloy 718 retains its toughness and ductility in ultra-low temperature applications.
- Excellent Fatigue Life: High resistance to repetitive stress cycles, making it essential for rotating components and high-pressure valves.
Material Science & Hardening
The Strengthening Mechanism: The superior strength of Alloy 718 is derived from the addition of Niobium (4.75-5.5%), which interacts with the nickel-chromium matrix to form strengthening precipitates. This metallurgical structure allows the material to be shipped in a "solution annealed" state for easier machining and then "age-hardened" to reach its full load-bearing potential.
Mechanical Capabilities:
- High rupture strength at elevated temperatures.
- Exceptional resistance to chloride-ion stress corrosion cracking.
- Non-magnetic and highly stable across a wide thermal spectrum.
- Excellent resistance to "gas-tungsten arc" and "electron-beam" welding techniques.
Core Industrial Applications
Aries Alloys is a strategic supplier of Inconel 718 for mission-critical hardware:
- Aerospace Propulsion: Turbine blades, discs, compressor casings, and rocket motor components.
- Oil & Gas Extraction: High-strength fasteners, downhole tooling, and wellhead components for sour gas environments.
- Space Exploration: Liquid-fueled rocket engine parts and cryogenic storage systems.
- Power Generation: High-temperature bolts, rings, and structural hardware for gas turbines.
- Nuclear Engineering: Specialized springs and fuel element spacers requiring high radiation resistance.
Product Availability at Aries Alloys
We supply Inconel 718 in various conditions (Annealed or Precipitation Hardened) to meet ASTM B637 and B670 standards:
- Round & Hex Bars: High-precision rods for machining aero-engine fasteners and valves.
- Sheets & Plates: Durable flat products for fabrication into engine casings and heat shields.
- Forged Rings & Discs: Custom-forged shapes for rotating machinery and heavy structural use.
- Seamless Tubing: High-pressure tubes for aerospace and chemical transport.