718 Cold Reduced Nickel Bar - AMS 5962
Alloy 718 Cold Reduced Nickel Bar is a high‑performance, precipitation‑hardening nickel‑chromium alloy engineered for exceptional strength, reliability, and performance in demanding environments. This grade contains significant additions of columbium (niobium), aluminum, molybdenum, and titanium, which work together to deliver outstanding mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Cold reduced Alloy 718 is solution annealed and then cold worked to enhance tensile strength and fatigue resistance. After precipitation hardening, it achieves a minimum room‑temperature tensile strength of 220 ksi, making it a preferred material choice for critical high‑strength fasteners, aerospace components, and high‑stress structural applications.
This alloy performs reliably at temperatures up to 900°F (482°C) and offers excellent oxidation resistance up to 1800°F (982°C), allowing it to be used in elevated‑temperature service where stability and long‑term performance are essential. These melting processes enhance the alloy’s purity, fatigue resistance, and overall reliability—critical factors for aerospace, power generation, and precision industrial applications.
- Inventory & Specs
- Chemical Composition
- Physical Properties
- Mechanical Properties
- Datasheet
- Additional Info
- FAQs
Inventory Size Ranges for 718 CR
| Type | Thickness | AMS Standards | Get a Quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bar | 0.260" - 1.635" | AMS 5962, AMS 5662 (Chem only) | Get a Quote |
Characteristics of Inconel 718 CR
Inconel 718 Cold Reduced (718 CR) offers exceptional mechanical strength and reliability, making it a preferred nickel‑based superalloy for demanding, high‑performance applications. After precipitation hardening, 718 CR delivers a minimum tensile strength of 220 ksi (1517 MPa), providing outstanding tensile and yield properties compared to standard nickel alloys.
This material also exhibits excellent creep resistance and stress‑rupture performance at elevated temperatures, maintaining stability and long‑term durability in service conditions up to 1300°F (704°C). Its superior strength‑to‑weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and oxidation resistance make it an ideal choice for aerospace, energy, and industrial environments where component failure is not an option.
Working with Inconel 718 CR
Inconel 718 CR is known for its challenging machinability, largely due to its high strength, heat resistance, and tendency to work harden quickly. To machine this cold reduced alloy successfully, manufacturers must use advanced cutting tools, optimized feeds and speeds, and rigid machining setups that can withstand the alloy’s demanding characteristics.
Selecting the right tooling—such as carbide or ceramic materials—and employing controlled machining strategies are essential. Many applications benefit from specialized methods, including dry machining, high‑pressure coolant, or high‑rigidity operations to improve tool life, surface finish, and consistency when working with Inconel 718 CR.
Other industry standards we comply with:
- PWA LCS
- GE Aircraft Engine (GT193)
- GE Aviation S-SPEC-35 AeDMS S-400
- RR SABRe Edition 2
- DFARS Compliant
Common Trade Names
- Nickel 718 Cold Reduced
- Alloy 718 Cold Reduced
- Inconel® 718 Cold Reduced
Industry Applications for 718 CR
- Gas Turbine Engine Components
- Jet Engine
- Fasteners and Structural Supports
- Fasteners and Structural Support
- Cryogenic Storage Tanks
Chemical Composition
| Element | Min | Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ni | Nickel | 50.0 | 55.0 |
| Al | Aluminum | 0.20 | 0.80 |
| Si | Silicon | - | 0.35 |
| Cr | Chromium | 17.0 | 21.0 |
| Co | Cobalt | - | 1.00 |
| P | Phosphorus | - | 0.015 |
| Nb | Columbium | 4.75 | 5.50 |
| B | Boron | - | 0.006 |
| S | Sulfur | - | 0.15 |
| Mo | Molybdenum | 2.80 | 3.30 |
| C | Carbon | - | 0.08 |
| Cu | Copper | - | 0.30 |
| Ti | Titanium | 0.65 | 1.15 |
| Mn | Manganese | - | 0.35 |
| Fe | Iron | - | Balance |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.297 lbs/in3 (8.22 g/cm3) |
| Machinability Rating | 12% of B-1112 |
Typical stock removal rate: 20 surface feet/minute with high-speed tooks, 80 surface feet/minute with carbide.
Carbide tooling preferred for turning operations, but high-speed steel preferred for milling (to avoid tooth chipping). Use relatively heavy cuts and low speeds to minimize surface work hardening. Roughing cuts are usually made before hardening, finishing cuts after hardening. Allow a contraction due to hardening of about 0.001 inch per inch of the workpiece dimensions.
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 220 ksi min. |
| Yield Strength | 190 ksi min. |
| Elongation (4D) | 12% min. |
| Hardness | HRC 36–44 |
| Reduction of Area | 10% - 15% min. |
Datasheet
Additional Info
A Brief History of 718 Cold Reduced (718CR)
Alloy 718 Cold Reduced—often referred to as 718CR, Inconel® 718 CR, or Cold Worked Alloy 718—is a specialized high‑strength variant of the widely used nickel‑chromium superalloy Inconel® 718. While standard Alloy 718 was originally developed in the late 1950s for aerospace and gas turbine applications requiring exceptional strength and heat resistance, 718CR was later engineered to push those capabilities even further.
By introducing a cold‑reduction step after solution annealing, metallurgists were able to significantly increase tensile strength, yield strength, and fatigue performance—making 718CR one of the highest‑strength nickel alloys available in bar form. This unique processing route has positioned 718CR as the premier material for aerospace fasteners, high‑stress structural hardware, and critical components where standard Alloy 718 does not meet strength requirements.
How 718CR Was Developed
Standard Alloy 718 already features a powerful precipitation‑hardening system based on niobium (columbium), titanium, and aluminum, which form γ′ and γ′′ strengthening phases during heat treatment. However, engineers sought a grade that could deliver:
- Higher tensile strength
- Better fatigue resistance
- Improved dimensional stability
- Superior consistency for flight‑critical fasteners
To achieve this, Alloy 718 bar stock is cold worked (cold reduced) after solution annealing. This controlled deformation increases dislocation density in the metal’s microstructure. When the material is subsequently precipitation hardened, the strengthening phases form around this work‑hardened structure—unlocking exceptional mechanical performance.
The result is an alloy that maintains the chemistry of standard 718 but exceeds it in strength and fatigue performance, making 718CR ideal for demanding aerospace and high‑temperature industrial environments.
Early Applications of 718CR
As aviation and industrial gas turbine technologies advanced, engineers required materials capable of handling extreme loads while maintaining reliability under vibration, cyclic stress, and elevated temperatures. 718CR quickly became the go‑to option for applications where failure was not an option.
Early adoption of 718CR included:
- Aerospace fasteners for engines and structural assemblies
- High‑strength bolts, screws, and studs used in turbine housings
- High‑temperature hardware exposed to long‑term thermal cycling
- Critical rotating and non‑rotating engine components
- Industrial fasteners where standard 718 could not meet tightening or fatigue specifications
These applications helped establish 718CR as a high‑performance solution for extreme mechanical and thermal environments.
How 718CR Is Used Today
Today, 718CR remains one of the industry's most reliable and trusted high-strength nickel alloys. Its ability to achieve 220 ksi minimum tensile strength after precipitation hardening makes it an essential material for aerospace and industrial fasteners that withstand exceptional loading at temperatures up to 900°F (482°C).
Your Trusted Supplier for 718CR
United Performance Metals is a global leader in specialty high‑performance alloys, supplying 718 Cold Reduced bar produced through industry‑preferred melting practices—including VIM/VAR and VIM/ESR—for superior cleanliness and quality.
With our FIRSTCUT+® processing services, extensive aerospace‑grade inventory, and expertise supporting fastener manufacturers, power‑generation OEMs, and high‑temperature industrial applications, UPM delivers 718CR products cut to your exact specifications with reliable supply‑chain support.
Contact our team today to learn how 718 Cold Reduced can enhance strength, performance, and reliability in your next critical‑application design.
Product FAQs
718 Cold Reduced is a high-strength, precipitation-hardening nickel-chromium alloy that undergoes cold reduction after solution annealing. This additional processing step increases tensile strength, fatigue resistance, and dimensional stability compared to standard 718 bar stock.
The primary difference is that 718 CR undergoes an additional cold‑reduction process after solution annealing, which significantly increases strength and improves fatigue performance. Standard Inconel 718 does not receive this extra cold‑work step and therefore has lower mechanical properties.
718 CR is widely used in aerospace, power generation, oil & gas, and industrial manufacturing. Typical applications include high‑strength fasteners, turbine hardware, engine components, and other parts that require superior mechanical performance at elevated temperatures.
Yes. Due to its high strength and work‑hardening tendency, 718 CR can be challenging to machine. Manufacturers typically use rigid setups, carbide or ceramic tooling, optimized speeds and feeds, and—when appropriate—specialized methods such as dry machining or high‑pressure coolant.