Inconel® 901 Nickel Bar - AMS 5660, 5661
Inconel® 901 bar is a high‑strength, chromium‑nickel‑iron, age‑hardenable superalloy engineered for excellent mechanical performance and corrosion resistance in elevated‑temperature environments. The alloy is strengthened through the precipitation of nickel‑titanium‑aluminum compounds, giving it outstanding temperature‑dependent strength and stability. It is widely used in demanding applications such as gas turbine engines, high‑temperature bolting, rotating discs, casings, seals, rings, and power‑generation components.
Formulated for service where both strength and oxidation resistance are required, Inconel® 901 maintains high strength up to 1400°F and offers oxidation resistance to 1600°F, making it a reliable solution for long‑term high‑temperature exposure.
- Inventory & Specs
- Chemical Composition
- Physical Properties
- Mechanical Properties
- Datasheet
- Additional Info
- FAQs
Inventory Size Ranges for 901
| Type | Thickness | AMS Standards | Get a Quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bar | 0.875" - 2.500" | AMS 5660, AMS 5661 | Get a Quote |
Characteristics of 901
Alloy 901 is non‑magnetic, precipitation‑hardenable, and designed for excellent high‑temperature reliability. It provides strong mechanical performance up to 1400°F, with stable oxidation resistance up to 1600°F, ensuring durability in severe thermal environments. The alloy’s chemistry—featuring nickel, chromium, titanium, aluminum, and molybdenum—enables a balance of high strength, creep resistance, and good forging characteristics.
Working with 901
Alloy 901 can be strengthened through a combination of solution treatment and precipitation‑hardening heat treatments, enabling excellent control over final mechanical properties. It can be machined in both the solution‑annealed and solution‑annealed and aged conditions; however, many manufacturers prefer to rough‑machine in the solution‑annealed state and finish machine after heat treatment for best results.
Carbide tooling provides the highest cutting rates and is recommended for uninterrupted turning operations, while high‑speed steel tooling can be effective for interrupted cuts, tight‑tolerance finishing, and situations requiring minimal cold work hardening. Ensuring a positive cutting action at all times is critical—otherwise, glazing and work hardening may occur, making further machining difficult.
Other industry standards we comply with:
- B50A305B S12 (GE Energy)
Common Trade Names
- Inconel® 901
- NIMONIC® 901
- Alloy 901
Industry Applications for 901
- Power Generation
- Discs
- Rings
- Shafts
- Casings
- Seals
Chemical Composition
| Element | Min | Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | Carbon | - | 0.10 |
| Mo | Molybdenum | 6.00 | - |
| Si | Silicon | - | 0.60 |
| Mn | Manganese | 1.00 | |
| Ni | Nickel | 43.00 | - |
| Ti | Titanium | 2.90 | - |
| Cr | Chromium | 12.50 | - |
| Co | Cobalt | - | 1.0 |
| Al | Aluminum | - | 0.35 |
| B | Boron | 0.010 | 0.020 |
| Fe | Iron | - | Balance |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.297 lb/in3 |
Non-magnetic, and generally offers high strength up to 1400 F, and oxidation resistance up to 1600 F.
Mechanical Properties
901 bar is ordered to AMS 5660 and is supplied either in solution annealed or solution annealed and aged, and may be machined in either condition. Good results are often obtained by rough machining in the solution annealed condition and finishing after heat treatment. Carbide tooling generally produces the highest cutting rates and is recommended for most turning operations involving uninterrupted cuts. High speed steel tools may be used for interrupted cuts, finishing to close tolerances and cutting with the least amount of cold work hardening. Care must be taken to ensure that a positive cutting action is achieved at all times, otherwise glazing (work hardening) will occur which will inhibit further machining.
Datasheet
Additional Info
A Brief History of Inconel® 901
Inconel® 901—also known as Alloy 901—is a high‑strength, age‑hardenable nickel‑iron‑chromium superalloy developed to meet the demanding temperature and stress requirements of early aerospace engines and power‑generation systems. Introduced in the mid‑20th century, the alloy was designed to deliver exceptional creep resistance, mechanical strength, and corrosion stability in environments where both temperature and mechanical loads are extreme. Its unique blend of nickel, iron, chromium, titanium, aluminum, and molybdenum gives Alloy 901 the ability to perform reliably under prolonged stress at elevated temperatures.
How Inconel® 901 Was Developed
Alloy 901 was engineered to bridge the performance gap between standard stainless steels and earlier nickel‑based superalloys. Metallurgists aimed to create an alloy that combined:
- High yield and tensile strength
- Resistance to creep and stress rupture
- Good forging and fabrication characteristics
- Stable performance up to approximately 1400°F
To achieve this, they incorporated titanium and aluminum for precipitation hardening and molybdenum for solid‑solution strengthening. The substantial iron content improves hot‑working characteristics, while the carefully balanced nickel‑chromium base enhances corrosion and oxidation resistance. This metallurgical design produced an alloy capable of high‑temperature strength retention, long‑term structural stability, and dependable mechanical performance in demanding rotational and bolting systems.
Early Applications of Inconel® 901
As jet propulsion and industrial gas turbine technology advanced, materials were required to withstand both extreme heat and intense loading. Inconel® 901 quickly found use in high‑temperature, high‑stress components such as:
- Turbine discs and compressor discs
- Rotating shafts and seals
- Rings, casings, and other structural parts in turbine assemblies
- High‑temperature bolting systems
Its combination of strength, oxidation resistance, and excellent metallurgical stability made Alloy 901 an ideal choice for early turbine engine architectures, where reliability was essential for performance and safety.
How Inconel® 901 Is Used Today
Today, Inconel® 901 remains an important alloy in industries requiring high strength and dimensional stability at elevated temperatures. Its ability to withstand prolonged exposure to temperatures up to 1400°F, along with oxidation resistance to 1600°F, makes it a preferred material for aerospace, power generation, industrial, and high temperature applications. Because of its precipitation‑hardenable nature and strong resistance to thermal degradation, Alloy 901 continues to play a vital role in high‑performance environments where both stability and long‑term mechanical endurance are required.
Your Trusted Supplier for Inconel® 901
United Performance Metals proudly offers Inconel® 901 bar in standard and specialty specifications, supporting the aerospace, power‑generation, and high‑temperature manufacturing industries. With our FIRSTCUT+® precision processing services, customers receive material cut to exact requirements—backed by trusted quality, reliable lead times, and extensive technical expertise.
Contact our team today to learn how Inconel® 901 can improve performance, reliability, and strength in your next high‑temperature application.