Inconel wire- Optimum performance in high temperature conditions

Inconel alloy is a nickel-chromium alloy that has resistance to caustic corrosion, oxidation at high temperatures, ultra-high purity water corrosion & stress corrosion cracking. Applications of Inconel alloy are in

·        Nuclear engineering

·        Furnace components

·        Sparking electrodes

·        Food processing

·        Chemical processing such as reaction vessels, transfer piping, heat exchangers and evaporators.

·        Air pollution control such as dampers, stack liners, fans, ducts, stack-gas reheaters, housings and scrubbers.

Inconel wire is preferred for various applications such as

Rapid temperature changes

Inconel wire has high oxidation resistance at low/high temperature conditions, therefore, a single basket made of Inconel can be used in processes where temperatures change between near-cryogenic lows & heat treatment highs. Inconel is highly useful for manufacturing processes that combine high & low temperature processes in rapid succession.

Jet engines

Various manufacturing units use Inconel alloy in the construction of Jet engines and turbines. Jet engines need to withstand low & high extreme temperatures frequently during use. At 36,000 ft., the average air temperature is -56.3°C and the combustion process can exceed temperatures of 1,150°C as per the meteorology training website. Inconel retains tensile strength & oxidation resistance during rapid changes in temperature in the combustion process and cooling technologies used in the aerospace industry to rapidly reduce temperatures. Inconel is suitable for chemical resistance & extreme temperature conditions. Inconel is especially suitable for processes in which temperature elevations would normally reduce the oxidation resistance of other metals.

Heat treat applications

Inconel has resistance to extreme temperatures and retains a good amount of tensile strength at high temperature to continue holding moderate loads. Inconel is suitable for heat treat applications as it won’t lose shape easily when holding parts through a rigorous heat treat application.

Saltwater applications

Inconel has excellent resistance to sodium chloride (salt) at different temperatures, therefore, it is used in marine applications. Inconel is suitable for part washing basket in processes that use salt or in factories located near the ocean. Stainless steel alloys also have resistance to salt water however Inconel alloy is preferred for high temperatures.

Corrosion resistance

Inconel alloys are resistant to various types of corrosive media such as alkalis, moisture, salt solutions, non-oxidizing acids & organic acids. Stress corrosion cracking doesn’t occur and this alloy has a small tendency to selective corrosion. Pitting corrosion rarely occurs and this alloy has resistance to gases such as chlorine, hydrogen fluoride, carbon dioxide, hydrogen chloride, oxygen & sulphur dioxide. No heterogeneous structure occurs in these alloys as copper & nickel form a continuous series of solid solutions. Inconel alloy has excellent resistance to hot seawater at high flow rates. This alloy remains stable up to a moderate flow rate of 6m/s.

Inconel is alloyed, processed & melted using special designs to have excellent resistance to low-cycle & thermal fatigue at temperatures up to 1200°F. Inconel is used in various types of process or transport piping in Aircraft exhaust, automotive flexible coupling bellows & expansion joints. Inconel is also designed for excellent corrosion resistance in severe environments in pollution control, industrial/municipal waste treatment, chemical processing, pulp/paper production.