Inconel 601 Alloy 601

spore: profile
id: inconel-601
spore_version: 0.2
family: nickel-alloys
name: Inconel 601
abbreviation: Alloy 601
role: high-temperature structural alloy
category: metals
type: nickel-superalloys
summary: |
  Inconel 601 (UNS N06601, W.Nr. 2.4851) is a solid-solution nickel-chromium-iron alloy with 1.0 to 1.7 % aluminium, made for resistance to heat and corrosion. Special Metals gives a density of 8.11 Mg/m3 and a melting range of 1360 to 1411 °C for annealed material. Its aluminium content forms a protective oxide that resists spalling under cyclic heating, and its suggested operating range for annealed strip runs from -184 °C to 1000 °C. Annealed sheet has a typical yield strength of 292 MPa and tensile strength of 675 MPa. The sources opened here name gas-turbine parts and furnace parts, but none names a spacecraft, rocket or satellite use for alloy 601.
best_for: 'Hot furnace parts and oxidising heat: resistance to high-temperature oxidation up to about 1200 °C, with strength that holds up well in the annealed condition'
weakest_at: Carbon pickup in carburizing and carbonitriding atmospheres (16.66 mg/cm2 gain in 100 h at 1095 °C in one test), and the sources give no spacecraft or vacuum data
identity:
  formula: Ni 58.0 to 63.0, Cr 21.0 to 25.0, Al 1.0 to 1.7, Fe balance (wt %), with C 0.10 max, Mn 1.0 max, S 0.015 max, Si 0.50 max and Cu 1.0 max; nickel-chromium-iron alloy UNS N06601
  source: sm-smc028
  where: Table 1, Limiting Chemical Composition, % of INCONEL alloy 601
  designations:
    - system: UNS
      code: N06601
      source: sm-smc028
      where: Opening paragraph, UNS N06601/W.Nr. 2.4851
    - system: EN
      code: '2.4851'
      source: sm-smc028
      where: Opening paragraph, W.Nr. 2.4851
    - system: DIN
      code: '17750'
      note: strip
      source: elgiloy-strip
      where: Applicable Specifications, Strip
    - system: AMS
      code: '5870'
      note: sheet, plate and strip
      source: elgiloy-strip
      where: Applicable Specifications, Strip
    - system: AMS
      code: '5715'
      note: bar and forgings
      source: hpalloys-601
      where: Specifications, Bar and Forging rows
    - system: ASTM
      code: B166
      note: bar
      source: hpalloys-601
      where: Specifications, Bar row
    - system: ASTM
      code: B167
      note: seamless pipe and tube
      source: hpalloys-601
      where: Specifications, Pipe (Seamless) row
    - system: ASTM
      code: B168
      note: sheet, plate and strip
      source: hpalloys-601
      where: Specifications, Sheet, Plate or Strip row
    - system: Trade name
      code: INCONEL alloy 601
      source: sm-smc028
      where: Title of Table 1 and Table 2 heading
    - system: Trade name
      code: Alloy 601
      source: ulbrich-wire
      where: Title line, Inconel 601 (Alloy 601) UNS N06601
    - system: Trade name
      code: Inconel 601
      source: wikipedia-inconel
      where: Inconel alloys list
tags:
  environments: []
  stresses:
    - high-temperature-oxidation
    - carburization
  applications:
    - propulsion-and-tanks
    - thermal-control
properties:
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, annealed material
    value: 8.11
    unit: Mg/m3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      material: annealed
      temperature: not stated
      unit_in_source: 0.293 lb/in3
    method: Value printed in a manufacturer technical bulletin; the bulletin states all physical constants were determined for annealed material
    status: ground
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Table 2, Physical Constants, Density row (Mg/m3 line)
  - benchmark: melting_point
    label: Melting range, annealed material
    value: 1360
    value_high: 1411
    bound: range
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      unit_in_source: 2480 to 2571 °F
      material: annealed
    method: Melting range printed in a manufacturer technical bulletin
    status: ground
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Table 2, Physical Constants, Melting Range row (°C line)
  - benchmark: specific_heat
    label: Specific heat capacity at 20 °C, annealed
    value: 448
    unit: J/(kg·K)
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 20 °C
      material: annealed
      unit_in_source: 0.107 Btu/lb-°F at 70 °F
    method: Value printed in a manufacturer technical bulletin
    status: ground
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Table 3, Thermal Properties, Specific Heat J/kg-°C column, 20 °C row
  - benchmark: thermal_conductivity
    label: Thermal conductivity at 20 °C, annealed
    value: 11.2
    unit: W/(m·K)
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 20 °C
      material: annealed
      unit_in_source: 78 Btu-in/ft2 h °F at 70 °F
    method: Value printed in a manufacturer technical bulletin; the bulletin says these values were calculated from electrical resistivity (Table 3, footnote a)
    status: ground
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Table 3, Thermal Properties, Thermal Conductivity W/m-°C column, 20 °C row
  - benchmark: thermal_conductivity
    label: Thermal conductivity at 1000 °C, annealed
    value: 27.8
    unit: W/(m·K)
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 1000 °C
      material: annealed
    method: Value printed in a manufacturer technical bulletin; calculated from electrical resistivity per Table 3 footnote a
    status: ground
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Table 3, Thermal Properties, Thermal Conductivity W/m-°C column, 1000 °C row
  - benchmark: cte
    label: Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, 27 to 100 °C
    value: 13.75
    unit: µm/m/°C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature_range: 27 to 100 °C
      basis: average coefficient between 27 °C and the temperature shown
      unit_in_source: 7.60 x 10-6 in/in/°F for 80 to 200 °F
    method: Value printed in a manufacturer technical bulletin (Table 3 footnote b defines the average)
    status: ground
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Table 3, Thermal Properties, Coefficient of Expansion a column, 100 °C row (µm/m/°C)
  - benchmark: cte
    label: Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, 27 to 1000 °C
    value: 17.82
    unit: µm/m/°C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature_range: 27 to 1000 °C
      basis: average coefficient between 27 °C and the temperature shown
    method: Value printed in a manufacturer technical bulletin (Table 3 footnote b defines the average)
    status: ground
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Table 3, Thermal Properties, Coefficient of Expansion column, 1000 °C row (µm/m/°C)
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Modulus of elasticity in tension at 20 °C
    value: 206.5
    unit: GPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 20 °C
      basis: tension
      unit_in_source: 29.95 x 10^3 ksi at 70 °F
    method: Value printed in a manufacturer technical bulletin
    status: ground
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Table 4, Modulus of Elasticity, GPa Tension column, 20 °C row
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Modulus of elasticity in tension at 1000 °C
    value: 124.7
    unit: GPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 1000 °C
      basis: tension
    method: Value printed in a manufacturer technical bulletin
    status: ground
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Table 4, Modulus of Elasticity, GPa Tension column, 1000 °C row
  - benchmark: shear_modulus
    label: Modulus of rigidity (torsion) at 20 °C
    value: 81.2
    unit: GPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 20 °C
      basis: torsion
    method: Value printed in a manufacturer technical bulletin
    status: ground
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Table 4, Modulus of Elasticity, GPa Torsion column, 20 °C row
  - benchmark: poissons_ratio
    label: Poisson's ratio at 20 °C
    value: 0.272
    unit: '-'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 20 °C
      basis: tension test value printed in Table 4
    method: Value printed in a manufacturer technical bulletin
    status: ground
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Table 4, Modulus of Elasticity, Poisson's Ratio column, 20 °C row
  - benchmark: electrical_resistivity
    label: Electrical resistivity at 20 °C, annealed
    value: 1.18
    unit: µΩ·m
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 20 °C
      material: annealed
      unit_in_source: 710 ohm-circ mil/ft at 70 °F
    method: Value printed in a manufacturer technical bulletin
    status: ground
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Table 3, Thermal Properties, Electrical Resistivity µΩ-m column, 20 °C row
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Yield strength 0.2 % offset, cold-rolled sheet annealed at 1090 °C
    value: 292
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: cold-rolled sheet, 3.2 mm (0.125 in)
      temper: annealed at 1090 °C (2000 °F)
      measure: 0.2 % offset
      unit_in_source: 42.3 ksi
    method: Typical room-temperature value printed in a manufacturer technical bulletin
    status: ground
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Table 6, Typical Room-Temperature Tensile Properties of Annealed Material, Cold-Rolled Sheet 0.125 in row
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength, cold-rolled sheet annealed at 1090 °C
    value: 675
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: cold-rolled sheet, 3.2 mm (0.125 in)
      temper: annealed at 1090 °C (2000 °F)
      unit_in_source: 97.9 ksi
    method: Typical room-temperature value printed in a manufacturer technical bulletin
    status: ground
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Table 6, Typical Room-Temperature Tensile Properties of Annealed Material, Cold-Rolled Sheet 0.125 in row
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Elongation, cold-rolled sheet annealed at 1090 °C
    value: 46
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: cold-rolled sheet, 3.2 mm (0.125 in)
      temper: annealed at 1090 °C (2000 °F)
    method: Typical value printed in a manufacturer technical bulletin
    status: ground
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Table 6, Typical Room-Temperature Tensile Properties of Annealed Material, Cold-Rolled Sheet 0.125 in row, Elongation column
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Yield strength 0.2 % offset, annealed plate (nominal range)
    value: 205
    value_high: 310
    bound: range
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: plate, annealed
      basis: nominal room-temperature range, composite of product sizes
      unit_in_source: 30 to 45 ksi
    method: Nominal range printed in a manufacturer technical bulletin; the bulletin says it is not suitable for specifications
    status: ground
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Table 5, Nominal Room-Temperature Mechanical-Property Ranges, PLATE Annealed row
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength, annealed plate (nominal range)
    value: 550
    value_high: 690
    bound: range
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: plate, annealed
      basis: nominal room-temperature range, composite of product sizes
      unit_in_source: 80 to 100 ksi
    method: Nominal range printed in a manufacturer technical bulletin; the bulletin says it is not suitable for specifications
    status: ground
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Table 5, Nominal Room-Temperature Mechanical-Property Ranges, PLATE Annealed row
  - benchmark: min_service_temp
    label: Suggested minimum operating temperature, annealed strip
    value: -184
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: strip, annealed at 1079 °C (1975 °F)
      unit_in_source: '-300 °F'
    method: Suggested operating limit printed in a strip product sheet
    status: ground
    source: elgiloy-strip
    where: Typical Mechanical Properties table, Suggested Operating Conditions column, Annealed row
  - benchmark: max_service_temp
    label: Suggested maximum operating temperature, annealed strip
    value: 1000
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: strip, annealed at 1079 °C (1975 °F)
      unit_in_source: 1830 °F
    method: Suggested operating limit printed in a strip product sheet
    status: ground
    source: elgiloy-strip
    where: Typical Mechanical Properties table, Suggested Operating Conditions column, Annealed row
corrosion:
  - environment: Hot air, cyclic oxidation
    headline: A protective oxide film resists oxidation to 1200 °C and resists spalling under cyclic heating.
    effect: Special Metals says alloy 601 forms a protective oxide coating that resists scaling under cyclic exposure, with resistance to oxidation up to 2200 °F (1200 °C). Its aluminium and chromium content give unique resistance to oxide spalling under cyclic thermal conditions. The weight-change plots are graphs only and no numbers were read from them.
    rating: low
    conditions:
      basis: manufacturer statement and cyclic oxidation plots (Figures 9 to 11), not numerical rates
      temperature: up to 1200 °C
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Corrosion Resistance and Oxidation sections
  - environment: Gas carburizing at 925 and 980 °C
    headline: Carbon uptake is moderate at 925 °C and rises at 980 °C.
    effect: In a gas mixture of 2 % methane and 98 % hydrogen, alloy 601 gained 2.72 mg/cm2 in 100 h at 1700 °F (925 °C) and 4.32 mg/cm2 in 100 h at 1800 °F (980 °C). Alloy 600 gained 2.66 mg/cm2 at 925 °C and alloy 800 gained 4.94 mg/cm2 at 925 °C.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      atmosphere: 2 % methane, 98 % hydrogen
      time: 100 h
      unit_in_source: mg/cm2
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Table 13, Gas Carburization Tests at 1700 °F and 1800 °F
  - environment: Carbonitriding at 1095 °C
    headline: Carbonitriding gives a large weight gain, larger than alloy 600 in the same test.
    effect: In an atmosphere of 5 % ammonia, 2 % methane and 93 % hydrogen at 2000 °F (1095 °C), alloy 601 gained 16.66 mg/cm2 in 100 h (average of two tests). Alloy 600 gained 8.65 mg/cm2 and alloy 800 gained 24.94 mg/cm2 in the same test.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      atmosphere: 5 % ammonia, 2 % methane, 93 % hydrogen
      temperature: 1095 °C
      time: 100 h
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Table 15, Resistance to Carbonitriding Atmosphere at 2000 °F (1095 °C)
  - environment: Sulfur-bearing gas, 650 to 760 °C
    headline: Sulfidation resistance was tested, but the result is shown only as a plot.
    effect: Special Metals tested descaled specimens in 1.5 % hydrogen sulfide and 98.5 % hydrogen from 1200 to 1400 °F (650 to 760 °C) for 100 h. The weight-loss results appear only in Figure 14, so no number is recorded here. The bulletin also says the alloy must be heated in a low-sulfur atmosphere.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      atmosphere: 1.5 % H2S in H2
      temperature: 650 to 760 °C
      time: 100 h
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Sulfidation section, Figure 14; Working Instructions, Heating and Pickling
risks:
  hazards:
    - text: 'Special Metals safety data sheet for the Inconel family (covers Inconel products by name, not alloy 601 specifically): as shipped, the alloys in massive form have no known toxicity other than allergic reactions in sensitive people. Hazardous fume or dust is released during remelting, grinding, cutting or welding. Signal word DANGER. The classifications apply to that fume or dust: skin sensitisation H317, respiratory sensitisation H334, respiratory irritation H335, carcinogenicity H350, suspected reproductive harm H361d, and organ damage from repeated exposure H372 and H373.'
      ghs:
        - H317
        - H334
        - H335
        - H350
        - H361d
        - H372
        - H373
      source: sm-sds-family
      where: Section 2.1 Classification (CLP) and Section 2.2 Label Elements
    - text: The same data sheet says heating above the melting point releases metallic oxides which may cause metal fume fever. Its precautionary statements include P260 (do not breathe dust) and P271 (use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area).
      ghs: []
      source: sm-sds-family
      where: Section 2 Hazards Identification, OSHA HCS 2012 block; Section 2.2 precautionary statements
  failure_risks:
    - mode: Carbon pickup in a carburizing atmosphere
      trigger: Gas carburizing at 980 °C (1800 °F) for 100 h, a 2 % methane and 98 % hydrogen atmosphere
      consequence: Weight gain of 4.32 mg/cm2 in 100 h, which means carbon absorbed by the specimen. The bulletin gives weight gain only and no mechanical result.
      severity: moderate
      source: sm-smc028
      where: Table 13, Gas Carburization Tests, 1800 °F row
    - mode: Carbon and nitrogen pickup in carbonitriding
      trigger: Carbonitriding at 1095 °C (2000 °F) for 100 h in 5 % ammonia, 2 % methane and 93 % hydrogen
      consequence: Weight gain of 16.66 mg/cm2 in 100 h, about twice the 8.65 mg/cm2 of alloy 600 in the same test. The bulletin gives weight gain only.
      severity: moderate
      source: sm-smc028
      where: Table 15, Resistance to Carbonitriding Atmosphere
    - mode: Sulfur attack in heating atmospheres
      trigger: Sulfur in the furnace atmosphere or in the fuel used for open heating
      consequence: The bulletin says the alloy must be heated in a low-sulfur atmosphere and that fuels for open heating must be low in sulfur. Sulfidation tests at 650 to 760 °C are shown only as a graph.
      severity: moderate
      source: sm-smc028
      where: Working Instructions, Heating and Pickling; Sulfidation section and Figure 14
  side_effects: []
  handling:
    - text: Clean the material before heating. Remove grease, oil, paint and shop soil first, because the alloy must be clean before it is heated. The furnace atmosphere should be slightly reducing and low in sulfur.
      source: sm-smc028
      where: Working Instructions, Heating and Pickling
    - text: Use ventilation when remelting, grinding, cutting or welding, because hazardous fume or dust is released. The data sheet advises not to breathe dust and to work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
      source: sm-sds-family
      where: Section 2.2 precautionary statements P260 and P271
  mitigations: []
uses:
  - application: propulsion-and-tanks
    device: Combustion-can liners, jet-engine igniters and containment rings in gas turbines
    example: Special Metals lists combustor components and jet-engine igniters, combustion-can liners, diffuser assemblies and containment rings in gas turbines for aircraft, industrial and vehicular use. These are aircraft and ground engines, not spacecraft hardware.
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Applications paragraphs, aerospace and power generation
  - application: thermal-control
    device: Radiant tubes, furnace trays and heating-element wire in industrial furnaces
    example: Special Metals lists industrial heating uses, including radiant tubes, baskets, trays and fixtures for heat treating. Ulbrich lists furnace parts, burner nozzles, wire conveyor belts and resistance heating elements for the wire form.
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Applications paragraphs, industrial heating; Ulbrich applications list in ulbrich-wire
  - application: thermal-control
    device: Thermal reactors and combustion chambers in exhaust and waste-incineration systems
    example: Special Metals lists thermal reactors in the exhaust systems of gasoline engines and combustion chambers in solid-waste incinerators as pollution-control uses.
    source: sm-smc028
    where: Applications paragraph, pollution control
supply:
  - subject: Nickel (mine production, feedstock for nickel alloys)
    producers:
      - country: Indonesia
        share_percent: 66.7
        year: 2025
      - country: Philippines
        share_percent: 6.9
        year: 2025
      - country: Russia
        share_percent: 5.1
        year: 2025
      - country: New Caledonia
        share_percent: 3.6
        year: 2025
    critical_lists: []
    recycling: 'USGS: in 2025 nickel recovered from scrap accounted for about 60 % of apparent consumption, and most recycled nickel went into new alloys and stainless steel.'
    substitutes:
      - 'USGS: titanium alloys can substitute for nickel or nickel-base alloys in corrosive environments.'
    source: usgs-mcs2026-nickel
    where: World Mine Production and Reserves table, 2025e column, world total 3,900,000 t. Shares calculated by Space Mushroom from the printed tonnages (Indonesia 2,600,000; Philippines 270,000; Russia 200,000; New Caledonia 140,000); Recycling; Substitutes
documents:
  - title: 'Special Metals technical bulletin SMC-028: INCONEL alloy 601 (UNS N06601)'
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.specialmetals.com/documents/technical-bulletins/inconel/inconel-alloy-601.pdf
    year: 2005
  - title: Ulbrich Inconel 601 wire datasheet (Alloy 601, UNS N06601)
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.ulbrich.com/uploads/data-sheets/Inconel®-601-Wire-Alloy-601-Wire-UNS-N06601.pdf
    year: 2015
  - title: Elgiloy Specialty Metals strip product listing for Inconel alloy 601
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.combmet.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Strip-Inconel-Alloy-601.pdf
    year: 2023
  - title: Special Metals safety data sheet for the Inconel family (Revision 30 November 2016)
    type: sds
    url: https://www.specialmetals.com/documents/msds.pdf
    year: 2016
  - title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Nickel'
    type: report
    url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-nickel.pdf
    year: 2026
  - title: 'High Performance Alloys: Inconel 601 product page (specifications and typical ranges)'
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.hpalloys.com/Alloys/601
  - title: 'Haraldpihl: Nickel alloy INCONEL 601 technical data and applications'
    type: datasheet
    url: https://haraldpihl.com/en/products/nickel-alloys/inconel-601/?page=1
  - title: 'Wikipedia: Inconel (list of Inconel alloys)'
    type: database
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inconel
    year: 2026
gaps:
  - 'No source opened for this run names a spacecraft, rocket or satellite use of alloy 601. The only aerospace use found is in aircraft and gas-turbine engines (Special Metals, and a Haraldpihl line ''Aerospace: high-temperature components and parts with oxidation resistance requirements''). Space-qualification and flight-heritage data were searched for and not found.'
  - No NASA outgassing test, total mass loss, atomic-oxygen erosion or radiation data for alloy 601 was found.
  - Electrical resistivity is given at 20 °C only as a table value; the bulletin gives no separate temperature coefficient.
  - The Special Metals bulletin gives Table 5 and Table 6 values as nominal or typical, not as minimums. The Ulbrich sheet gives annealed minimums (80 ksi UTS, 30 ksi yield, 35 % elongation) but calls them typical values, so they are not entered.
  - The Elgiloy strip listing prints '95 ksi (552 MPa) typ' for annealed strip. 95 ksi is not 552 MPa, so that typical value is not entered.
  - Haraldpihl gives a recommended service temperature of up to about 1200 °C, while the Elgiloy listing suggests 1000 °C for annealed strip. Both are recorded in their own sources; only the Elgiloy figure is entered as max_service_temp because the Haraldpihl number is approximate and from a reseller.
  - The Special Metals sulfidation results (Figure 14) and cyclic oxidation weight-change plots (Figures 9 to 11) are graphs only, so no numbers were read from them.
  - No alloy-specific SDS or hazard classification for alloy 601 itself was found. The Special Metals SDS covers the Inconel family and is cited as the closest source; it is not a 601-specific data sheet. PubChem was blocked by a verification page.
  - The EN name for W.Nr. 2.4851 (NiCr23Fe style) is not printed in any source opened here, so it is not listed as a designation.
  - The USGS 2026 nickel summary does not print a critical-minerals list entry; it says the executive order calls for seabed deposits to help secure supplies of critical minerals such as nickel. critical_lists is left empty.
  - The 11.2 and 27.8 W/(m·K) thermal conductivity values are calculated by the manufacturer from electrical resistivity (Table 3, footnote a); they are recorded as printed.
  - Hot-finished rod and bar, and cold-rolled strip ranges from Table 5 and Table 7 to 8, are not entered; the sheet and plate rows were used instead to keep to one form per row.
  - No media images were added.
  - Emissivity, cold-welding behaviour, radiation effects and regolith abundance were not looked up for this profile.
sources:
  sm-smc028:
    title: 'Special Metals Publication SMC-028: INCONEL alloy 601 (UNS N06601/W.Nr. 2.4851), copyright 2005'
    url: https://www.specialmetals.com/documents/technical-bulletins/inconel/inconel-alloy-601.pdf
    year: 2005
    kind: datasheet
    license: Manufacturer technical bulletin, informational purposes only (cited, not reproduced)
  ulbrich-wire:
    title: 'Ulbrich Stainless Steels and Special Metals: Inconel 601 (Alloy 601) wire datasheet, UNS N06601'
    url: https://www.ulbrich.com/uploads/data-sheets/Inconel®-601-Wire-Alloy-601-Wire-UNS-N06601.pdf
    year: 2015
    kind: datasheet
    license: Distributor datasheet, typical values only (cited, not reproduced)
  elgiloy-strip:
    title: 'Elgiloy Specialty Metals: Inconel alloy 601 strip product listing'
    url: https://www.combmet.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Strip-Inconel-Alloy-601.pdf
    year: 2023
    kind: datasheet
    license: Supplier listing (cited, not reproduced)
  hpalloys-601:
    title: 'High Performance Alloys: Inconel 601 product page'
    url: https://www.hpalloys.com/Alloys/601
    kind: datasheet
    license: Supplier web page (cited, not reproduced)
  sm-sds-family:
    title: Special Metals safety data sheet for Inconel, Incoloy, Monel and other nickel alloys (EU CLP, revision 30 November 2016)
    url: https://www.specialmetals.com/documents/msds.pdf
    year: 2016
    kind: datasheet
    license: Manufacturer safety data sheet (cited, not reproduced)
  usgs-mcs2026-nickel:
    title: 'Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Nickel'
    url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-nickel.pdf
    year: 2026
    kind: report
    license: public domain (USGS)
  haraldpihl-601:
    title: 'Haraldpihl: Nickel alloy INCONEL 601, properties and applications'
    url: https://haraldpihl.com/en/products/nickel-alloys/inconel-601/?page=1
    kind: web
    license: Distributor web page (cited, not reproduced)
  wikipedia-inconel:
    title: 'Wikipedia: Inconel'
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inconel
    year: 2026
    kind: web
    license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (cited, not reproduced)
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-10-26'
review:
  status: draft
  method: assistant
  checked_values: 19
  unreachable: 0
  caveats: 5
  note: 'Values were read by an AI assistant on 2026-10-26 from the Special Metals PDF text (Tables 2 to 6) and the Elgiloy strip listing. Caveats: most strength values are typical or nominal, not minimums; the Special Metals bulletin dates from 2005; the SDS covers the Inconel family, not alloy 601 alone; no spacecraft use was found.'
story:
  risk_groups:
    - title: For people
      lead: The sources describe hazards from the fume and dust made when alloy 601 is cut, ground, welded or remelted. The solid alloy is described as having no known toxicity except allergy in sensitive people.
      level: 2
      verdict: Fume hazard during processing
      points:
        - label: Processing fume
          line: The Special Metals sheet for the Inconel family gives signal word DANGER for the fume and dust released during remelting, grinding, cutting or welding. It lists skin sensitisation (H317), carcinogenicity (H350) and organ damage from repeated exposure (H372).
        - label: Solid alloy
          line: As shipped in massive form, the alloys have no known toxicity other than allergic reactions in people sensitive to their metals.
    - title: If it fails
      lead: The failure routes found are carbon pickup in carburizing atmospheres and sulfur attack in heating atmospheres. The sources give weight-gain numbers, not service life.
      points:
        - label: Carburizing
          line: In 100 h at 980 °C in a methane and hydrogen atmosphere, alloy 601 gained 4.32 mg/cm2, from Special Metals Table 13.
        - label: Carbonitriding
          line: At 1095 °C in an ammonia, methane and hydrogen atmosphere, alloy 601 gained 16.66 mg/cm2 in 100 h, roughly twice the 8.65 mg/cm2 of alloy 600.
        - label: Sulfur
          line: The bulletin says the alloy must be heated in a low-sulfur atmosphere. The sulfidation results are shown only as a graph.
    - title: Handling and storage
      points:
        - label: Clean before heating
          line: Remove grease, oil, paint and shop soil before heating, and keep the furnace atmosphere slightly reducing and low in sulfur.
        - label: Fume control
          line: Use ventilation when cutting, grinding or welding. The data sheet says not to breathe dust.
  why: Alloy 601 is a nickel-chromium-iron alloy with 1.0 to 1.7 % aluminium. The aluminium and chromium give it a protective oxide film that resists oxidation up to about 1200 °C and resists spalling under cyclic heating. Special Metals describes it as a general-purpose material for heat and corrosion, with good strength and easy forming, machining and welding. Typical uses named in the sources are furnace and radiant-tube parts, gas-turbine combustion parts and industrial heating elements. The sources opened do not name any spacecraft, rocket or satellite use.
  uses:
    - where: Furnaces and heat treatment
      line: Trays, baskets, radiant tubes and heating-element wire for industrial heat treating. Ulbrich also lists burner nozzles and wire conveyor belts.
    - where: Gas turbines
      line: Combustion-can liners, jet-engine igniters and containment rings in gas turbines for aircraft, industrial and vehicular use.
    - where: Pollution control
      line: Thermal reactors in gasoline-engine exhaust systems and combustion chambers in solid-waste incinerators.
  can_do:
    - label: Resist oxidation
      value: up to 1200 °C
      line: Special Metals says alloy 601 resists oxidation at temperatures up to 2200 °F (1200 °C) and resists oxide spalling under cyclic heating.
    - label: Carry strength when annealed
      value: 292 MPa yield, 675 MPa tensile
      benchmark: yield_strength
      line: Cold-rolled sheet annealed at 1090 °C has a typical yield strength of 292 MPa, tensile strength of 675 MPa and 46 % elongation.
    - label: Operate cold
      value: '-184 °C'
      benchmark: min_service_temp
      line: Elgiloy gives a suggested operating range of -300 °F to 1830 °F (-184 °C to 1000 °C) for annealed strip.
    - label: Weight
      value: 8.11 Mg/m3
      benchmark: density
      line: Density is 8.11 Mg/m3 for annealed material, from Special Metals Table 2.
    - label: Stiffness
      value: 206.5 GPa
      benchmark: elastic_modulus
      line: Modulus of elasticity in tension is 206.5 GPa at 20 °C, falling to 124.7 GPa at 1000 °C.
  compare: In the Special Metals carburizing tests, alloy 601 gained 2.72 mg/cm2 at 925 °C against 2.66 for alloy 600 and 4.94 for alloy 800. In carbonitriding at 1095 °C it gained 16.66 mg/cm2, against 8.65 for alloy 600 and 24.94 for alloy 800. So alloy 601 is close to alloy 600 in carburizing but takes up more weight than alloy 600 in carbonitriding, and it is lighter than alloy 800 in both tests. These are the same test series, so the comparison is fair, but the test conditions are for weight gain only.
  compare_rows:
    - label: Density
      benchmark: density
    - label: Thermal conductivity
      benchmark: thermal_conductivity
    - label: Thermal expansion
      benchmark: cte
  handling:
    - Specify the form and temper, because strength values differ between sheet, plate, rod and strip.
    - Heat in a low-sulfur atmosphere and keep the surface clean before heating.
    - Ventilate during cutting, grinding and welding, because the fume is hazardous.
  good_for:
    - Hot oxidising service up to about 1200 °C, where resistance to scale and spalling matters.
    - Furnace parts, radiant tubes and heating elements.
    - Gas-turbine combustion parts in aircraft and ground engines.
  watch_out:
    - 'Carbon pickup in carburizing and carbonitriding atmospheres: 16.66 mg/cm2 in 100 h at 1095 °C.'
    - Sulfur in the heating atmosphere, which the bulletin warns against.
    - Most strength values are nominal or typical, not minimums.
    - No spacecraft, rocket or satellite use and no vacuum or radiation data were found for alloy 601.
  verdict: Inconel 601 is a well-documented high-temperature oxidation-resistant nickel-chromium-iron alloy with 292 MPa yield and 675 MPa tensile strength in annealed sheet. Its use in furnaces and gas-turbine parts is documented. Its weak points are carbon pickup in carburizing atmospheres and sulfur attack. The sources opened do not show any spacecraft or rocket use for alloy 601, so the profile does not claim one.
  recipe:
    line: Inconel 601 is a face-centred-cubic solid-solution nickel-chromium-iron alloy with aluminium (Special Metals Table 1, limiting composition in weight percent). The sources opened do not describe the melting or processing route.
    parts:
      - name: Nickel
        symbol: Ni
        share_percent: 58
        share_note: minimum (the matrix); range 58.0 to 63.0
        role: Matrix of the alloy, which forms a face-centred-cubic solid solution
        source: sm-smc028
        where: Table 1, Limiting Chemical Composition
      - name: Chromium
        symbol: Cr
        share_percent: 21
        share_note: minimum; range 21.0 to 25.0
        role: Gives resistance to oxidation and corrosion, with the aluminium
        source: sm-smc028
        where: Table 1, Limiting Chemical Composition
      - name: Iron
        symbol: Fe
        share_note: balance, no number printed
        role: Remainder of the composition
        source: sm-smc028
        where: Table 1, Iron row
      - name: Aluminium
        symbol: Al
        share_percent: 1
        share_note: minimum; range 1.0 to 1.7
        role: Adds to the oxidation resistance, which the bulletin attributes to nickel, chromium and aluminium together
        source: sm-smc028
        where: Table 1, Aluminum row
      - name: Carbon
        symbol: C
        share_percent: 0.1
        share_note: maximum
        role: Limiting composition; chromium carbides are among the phases present
        source: sm-smc028
        where: Table 1, Carbon row
      - name: Manganese
        symbol: Mn
        share_percent: 1
        share_note: maximum
        role: Limiting composition
        source: sm-smc028
        where: Table 1, Manganese row
      - name: Silicon
        symbol: Si
        share_percent: 0.5
        share_note: maximum
        role: Limiting composition
        source: sm-smc028
        where: Table 1, Silicon row
      - name: Sulfur
        symbol: S
        share_percent: 0.015
        share_note: maximum
        role: Limiting composition; the bulletin warns against sulfur in heating atmospheres
        source: sm-smc028
        where: Table 1, Sulfur row
      - name: Copper
        symbol: Cu
        share_percent: 1
        share_note: maximum
        role: Limiting composition
        source: sm-smc028
        where: Table 1, Copper row