Inconel 600 Sheet - AMS 5540 - UNS N06600 Alloy
Inconel® 600 (AMS 5540) is a high-performance nickel-chromium alloy built to withstand the toughest environments. Engineered for use from cryogenic conditions up to 2000°F (1093°C), it delivers strength, reliability, and durability where other materials may fail. The alloy’s high nickel content offers exceptional resistance to reducing environments and chloride stress corrosion cracking, while chromium provides added protection against oxidation and scaling at high temperatures.
With excellent mechanical properties and the ability to be hardened through cold working, Alloy 600 is trusted in industries where safety, longevity, and performance are critical. From chemical processing and heat treating to aerospace, nuclear, and electrical, this alloy has a proven track record of reliability.
At United Performance Metals, we supply Inconel® 600 in sheet and coil, available in a variety of stock sizes to meet your production needs. Whether you need materials that can handle corrosive chemicals, extreme heat, or demanding mechanical stress, Alloy 600 delivers consistent performance you can count on.
- Inventory & Specs
- Chemical Composition
- Physical Properties
- Mechanical Properties
- Datasheet
- Additional Info
- FAQs
Inventory Size Ranges for 600
| Type | Thickness | AMS Standards | ASTM | UNS | ASME | Get a Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coil | 0.0200" - 0.1250" | AMS 5540 | ASTM B 168 | UNS N06600 | ASME SB 168 | Get a Quote |
| Sheet | 0.0200" - 0.1250" | AMS 5540 | ASTM B 168 | UNS N06600 | ASME SB 168 | Get a Quote |
| Precision Rerolled Strip | 0.0008" - 0.015" | UNS N06600 | Get a Quote |
Characteristics of Inconel® 600
Nickel Alloy 600 (UNS N06600) is highly valued for its ability to perform in harsh environments where other alloys fall short. Unlike Alloy 200, Alloy 600 offers superior resistance when exposed to sulfur compounds and strongly oxidizing conditions. It is virtually immune to chloride ion stress corrosion cracking, making it an excellent choice for applications involving saltwater or corrosive chemicals. In caustic alkali environments, stress relieving at elevated temperatures (1650°F / 900°C for 1 hour) prior to service is recommended for optimal performance.
Working with Inconel® 600
Machining Alloy 600 requires careful handling due to its tendency to work harden. It is best machined in the annealed condition using heavy-duty tooling, with performance comparable to stainless steel 304. The alloy can also be cold formed using standard fabrication methods, offering flexibility in manufacturing. Non-magnetic and tough, Alloy 600 exhibits forming characteristics similar to chromium-nickel stainless steels.
Alloy 600 can be joined using conventional welding, brazing, and soldering techniques without the need for post-weld annealing. This makes fabrication simpler and more efficient, while still ensuring long-lasting performance in demanding environments.
Other industry standards we comply with:
- PWA-LCS
- GE Aircraft Engine (GT193)
- GE Aviation S-SPEC-35 AeDMS S-400
- DFARS Compliant
Common Trade Names
- Inconel® 600
- Alloy 600
Industry Applications for 600
- Nuclear Power Plant Components
- Heat Exchangers
- Heat Treatment and Furnace Part Fixtures
- Chemical and Petrochemical Processing Equipment
- Vacuum Furnace Fixtures
- Thermocouple Sheathing
- Paper Mill Digesters
- Food Processing Equipment
Chemical Composition
The high chromium content of alloy 600 raises its oxidation resistance far above that of pure nickel.
| Element | Min | Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ni | Nickel | 72.0 | - |
| Cr | Chromium | 14.0 | 17.0 |
| Fe | Iron | 6.0 | 10.0 |
| C | Carbon | - | 0.15 |
| Mn | Manganese | - | 1.0 |
| S | Sulfur | - | 0.015 |
| Si | Silicon | - | 0.50 |
| Cu | Copper | - | 0.50 |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.304 lb/in3 |
| Melting Range | 2470-2575°F |
| Specific Heat | 0.11 Btu/lb °F |
| Poisson's Ratio | 0.29 |
| Temperature, °F | 70 | 1000 | 1200 | 1400 | 1600 | 1800 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, in/in°F x 10-6 | - | 8.4 | 8.6 | 8.7 | 9.1 | 9.3 |
| Thermal Conductivity, Btu-ft/ft2 -hr-°F | 8.6 | 13.2 | 14.3 | 13.0 | 16.7 | |
| Modulus of Elasticity, Dynamic, psi x 106 | 30.0 | 25.6 | 24.5 | 23.6 | 22.2 | 20.4 |
Mechanical Properties
Inconel 600 alloys can be machined to pipe fittings, flanges, valve parts, and other complex shapes.
| Property | Temperature, °F | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 1000 | 1200 | 1400 | 1600 | 1800 | |
| 0.2% Yield Strength, ksi | 37 | 28.5 | 26.5 | 17 | 9.0 | 4.0 |
| Ultimate Tensile Strength, ksi | 93 | 84 | 65 | 27.5 | 15 | 7.5 |
| Charpy Impact V-notch, ft-lbs | 45 | 47 | 39 | 46 | 80 | 118 |
Datasheet
Additional Info
A Brief History of Inconel® 600 (Nickel 600)
Nickel 600—commonly known as Inconel® 600, Alloy 600, UNS N06600, or W.Nr. 2.4816—is one of the earliest high‑performance nickel‑chromium alloys engineered for extreme heat and corrosive environments. Developed in the early 20th century, Alloy 600 was created to support increasingly harsh industrial conditions found in chemical processing, nuclear power systems, and high‑temperature furnace operations. Its solid‑solution nickel‑chromium‑iron matrix delivers outstanding oxidation resistance, thermal stability, and durability across a wide temperature range.
How Nickel 600 Was Developed
Alloy 600 was designed to combine nickel’s exceptional corrosion resistance with chromium’s stability under intense heat exposure. Metallurgists sought a material that could outperform both stainless steels and earlier nickel alloys in environments where chloride‑ion stress‑corrosion cracking, sulfur exposure, and extreme thermal cycling caused component failure. By balancing ~72% nickel, 14–17% chromium, and 6–10% iron, researchers produced an alloy capable of resisting oxidation up to 2000°F (1093°C) while maintaining mechanical strength and formability.
Early Applications of Nickel 600
As industries demanded stronger, more heat‑resistant materials, Alloy 600 quickly proved its value. It became widely used in furnace hardware, chemical processing equipment, and early aerospace systems due to its ability to remain stable under extreme heat and corrosive atmospheres. Its high nickel content made it virtually immune to chloride‑ion stress‑corrosion cracking, enabling reliable performance in chemical plants and nuclear reactor water systems.
How Nickel 600 Is Used Today
Today, Nickel 600 remains a core material across high‑temperature and high‑corrosion industries. Its versatility, non‑magnetic structure, and resistance to oxidizing and reducing environments make it a top choice for:
- Aerospace: turbine components, combustion chambers, jet engine seals
- Chemical processing: heat exchangers, reactors, vessels, and acid‑handling equipment
- Nuclear engineering: reactor cores, steam generators, fuel cladding
- Heat treating: furnace muffles, retorts, trays, and fixtures
Alloy 600 performs reliably from cryogenic temperatures to 2000°F, maintaining strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance across this entire operating window. This broad temperature stability is one reason it remains a go‑to alloy for mission‑critical components where stainless steels fail.
Your Trusted Supplier for Nickel 600
United Performance Metals is a global specialty metals solutions provider offering Nickel 600 in coil, sheet, and precision rerolled strip. With world‑class FIRSTCUT+® processing services and deep experience supporting aerospace, chemical processing, nuclear, and high‑temperature manufacturing customers, UPM delivers the high‑performance Nickel 600 products you need—cut to your exact specifications and backed by reliable supply chain solutions.
Contact our team today to learn how Nickel 600 can enhance your next high‑performance application.
Product FAQs
Nickel 600 is a high‑performance nickel‑chromium‑iron alloy designed for exceptional heat resistance, oxidation resistance, and corrosion resistance in extreme environments. It is commonly referred to as Inconel® 600, UNS N06600, or W.Nr. 2.4816.
Yes. Its high nickel content provides outstanding resistance to:
- Chloride‑ion stress‑corrosion cracking
- Sulfur‑containing environments
- Oxidizing and reducing atmospheres
Nickel 600 is not precipitation‑hardenable and is strengthened through cold work, making it highly weldable when proper techniques are used. It also resists post‑weld cracking thanks to its stable alloy matrix.
Nickel 600 is widely used in:
- Aerospace: jet engine seals, turbine components
- Chemical processing: reactors, heat exchangers
- Nuclear engineering: reactor cores, steam generators
- Heat‑treating: furnace parts, retorts, trays
Nickel 600 offers far better resistance to chloride stress‑corrosion cracking and performs reliably at temperatures much higher than stainless steels can tolerate.