Incoloy 800 Tubing vs. Other High-Temperature Alloys

Incoloy 800 Tubing vs Other High-Temperature Alloys: A Comparison

When it comes to high-temperature applications, choosing the right metal alloy is essential, especially if you want your equipment to function efficiently and with durability. Of the many high-temperature alloys available, Incoloy 800 tubing is widely recognized for its unique properties, making it an excellent option for many applications. In this blog post, we deeply dive into Incoloy 800 tubing and compare it to other high-temperature alloys to help you understand why Incoloy 800 stands out.

What is Incoloy 800 Tubing?

Incoloy 800 Tubing is a nickel-iron-chromium alloy designed for use in high temperature environments. It has excellent resistance to oxidization and carburization and good strength and integrity at elevated temperatures. Its uses include steam superheaters, heat exchangers, petrochemical processing equipment and more.

Benefits of using Incoloy 800 Tubing

Incoloy 800 Tubing is resistant to a wide range of corrosive environments

Incoloy 800 tubing is ideal for corrosive environments due to its high chromium and nickel content. Adding these elements gives the alloy excellent resistance to various acids, alkalis, and salts.

Incoloy 800 Tubing has high temperature resistance

Another benefit of using Incoloy 800 tubing is its high temperature resistance. The alloy can withstand temperatures up to 1500 degrees Fahrenheit without losing strength or corrosion resistance.

Incoloy 800 Tubing has excellent weldability.

Incoloy 800 tubing also has excellent weldability, making it easy to combine tubing sections using welding methods such as TIG or MIG welding.

Incoloy 800 Tubing is non-magnetic

Incoloy 800 tubing is also non-magnetic, which can be important in certain applications where magnetic materials are not desired.

Incoloy 800 Tubing is readily available from suppliers

Finally, Incoloy 800 tubing is readily available from suppliers and can be easily sourced for most applications.

A Comparison of Incoloy 800 Tubing vs Other High-Temperature Alloys

Incoloy 800 tubing is made of nickel, chromium, and iron and is engineered to provide excellent resistance to oxidation, carburization, and other forms of high-temperature corrosion. In contrast, Alloy 625 is made of nickel, chromium, and molybdenum, making it more resistant to pitting and crevice corrosion in harsh environments. Although Alloy 625 is often used in high-temperature applications, it may not be as effective as Incoloy 800 in resisting high-temperature corrosion. Incoloy 800 has a higher nickel content, forming a tightly bound oxide layer that provides excellent resistance to thermal cycling.

Another high-temperature alloy used in harsh environments is Alloy 800H, an upgraded version of Incoloy 800. While Incoloy 800 tubing comes with a maximum carbon content of 0.10%, Alloy 800H has a higher carbon content of up to 0.15%. This makes Alloy 800H more resistant to high-temperature creep and rupture. However, the downside of Alloy 800H is that it is less resistant to corrosion because of its higher carbon content. When choosing between Incoloy 800 tubing and Alloy 800H, you should consider the specific application and environmental conditions to ensure you make the right choice.

Aside from Incoloy 800, another high-temperature alloy used in various applications is Titanium Grade 2 tubing. This alloy is made of titanium, giving it excellent corrosion resistance and is ideal for harsh environments. Regarding high-temperature applications, Titanium Grade 2 tubing can withstand temperatures up to 400°C. However, it is less effective than Incoloy 800 in facing oxidation and carburization in high-temperature situations. Also, Titanium Grade 2 tubing is relatively costly compared to Incoloy 800.

Conclusion:

In summary, choosing the right high-temperature alloy for your application is essential for ensuring you get the best possible outcomes. Incoloy 800 tubing stands out from other high-temperature alloys such as Alloy 625, Alloy 800H, and Titanium Grade 2 tubing because of the unique properties that make it effective in handling oxidation, carburization, and thermal cycling. However, when choosing between Incoloy 800 and other alloys, it’s crucial to consider factors such as application, environmental conditions, and cost. The right choice of high-temperature alloy depends on several factors unique to your application.