Incoloy A-286 (UNS S66286) - Fe-Ni-Cr Precipitation Hardening Superalloy Supplier of Round Bars, Bolts & Plates | Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group

Date: 2026年7月25日 Categories: News Views: 412

By Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group Co., Ltd. - China Supplier | ISO 9001:2015 Certified | Est. 2012

Contact: sales@hangboalloy.com | hangbo@nickel-alloy.com | WhatsApp (Lisa): +86 13611656360

Quick Answer: What Is Incoloy A-286?

Incoloy A-286 (UNS S66286 / W.Nr. 1.4980) is an iron-nickel-chromium precipitation-hardening superalloy that delivers high tensile strength (>=895 MPa aged) and excellent creep rupture resistance to ~700C at approximately 40-50% lower raw material cost than Inconel 718. It is the industry-standard alloy for high-temperature bolting (ASTM A453 Grade 660), gas turbine discs, jet engine afterburner components, and turbocharger wheels. Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group supplies A-286 as round bars, forged bolts, and plates with full AMS 5731/5732/5737 certification.

Industry Pain Point: Gas turbine engineers routinely specify Inconel 718 for intermediate-temperature components operating at 500-650C because "it's the strongest option available." But 718's niobium content (5%) makes it 2-3x the cost of A-286, and for components that will never exceed 700C, that premium buys nothing. A-286 meets the same ASME allowable stress values as 718 up to 650C at roughly half the material cost.

Key Properties at a Glance

Property Value
UNS Number S66286
W.Nr. 1.4980
Alloy Family Fe-Ni-Cr Precipitation-Hardening Superalloy
Density 7.92 g/cm3 (0.286 lb/in3)
Melting Range 1370-1430C (2500-2600F)
Gamma-Prime Solvus ~730C
Max Service Temp. ~700C (~1300F)
Tensile Strength (RT, Aged) >= 895 MPa (>= 130 ksi)
Yield Strength (RT, Aged) >= 585 MPa (>= 85 ksi)
Elongation (RT, Aged) >= 15%
Key Standards ASTM A453 Gr.660, ASTM A638, AMS 5731/5732/5737

Product Overview

Incoloy A-286 occupies the commercially critical space between the austenitic stainless steels (304/316/310) and the premium nickel-base superalloys (718, Waspaloy). It is chosen when the application demands precipitation-hardening strength -- the 2:1 strength advantage over annealed austenitic stainless -- but the budget cannot justify Inconel 718.

The hardening mechanism is classical gamma-prime precipitation: nickel and titanium combine to form coherent, ordered Ni3Ti precipitates (FCC L12 structure, ~10-30 nm diameter) that impede dislocation motion through order-hardening. The gamma-prime volume fraction is approximately 8-12% -- lower than 718's ~20-25%, explaining A-286's lower absolute strength but superior weldability.

Three practical advantages:

  • Iron-based (~55% Fe): Raw material cost ~half of nickel-base superalloys.
  • Precipitation hardenable: Two-step aging doubles yield strength vs annealed condition.
  • Forgiving heat treatment: Robust aging response across wide annealing temperature range.

Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group supplies A-286 solution-annealed for customer aging, or fully heat-treated per AMS 5731.

Executive Standards

Product Form ASTM ASME AMS W.Nr.
High-Temp Bolting ASTM A453 Gr.660 ASME SA-453 - 1.4980
Bar & Forgings ASTM A638 Gr.660 ASME SA-638 AMS 5731/5732/5737 EN 10088-3
Plate & Sheet ASTM A638 - AMS 5525 -
Welding Filler AWS A5.14 ERNiFeCr-1 - AMS 5808 -

Chemical Composition (wt.% per AMS 5731)

Element Min Max Role
Nickel (Ni) 24.0 27.0 Gamma matrix; essential for Ni3Ti precipitate
Chromium (Cr) 13.5 16.0 Oxidation resistance to ~700C
Iron (Fe) Balance - Cost-reduction element
Titanium (Ti) 1.90 2.35 Gamma-prime former (Ni3Ti)
Molybdenum (Mo) 1.00 1.50 Solid-solution strengthener
Vanadium (V) 0.10 0.50 Refines precipitate distribution
Boron (B) 0.003 0.010 Critical - improves creep ductility 2-3x
Carbon (C) - 0.08 Grain-boundary TiC for creep resistance

Mechanical Properties

Room-Temperature (Aged)

Property Value Standard
Tensile Strength >= 895 MPa (>= 130 ksi) AMS 5731
Yield Strength 0.2% >= 585 MPa (>= 85 ksi) AMS 5731
Elongation (A5) >= 15% AMS 5731
Hardness 24-35 HRC -

Elevated-Temperature (Typical)

Temp (C) Tensile (MPa) Yield (MPa) Elongation (%)
20 1000 690 22
400 870 590 20
550 780 540 18
650 600 440 20
700 400 300 25

Heat Treatment

Step 1 - Solution Annealing: 900-980C (1650-1795F), 1-2 hours, oil quench or water quench. Air cooling not acceptable for sections >=6 mm.

Step 2 - Precipitation Aging: 720C (1325F), 16 hours, air cool. Precipitates fine Ni3Ti particles (~10-30 nm).

Boron effect: Boron at 0.003-0.010% segregates to grain boundaries, suppressing creep. Without boron, notch sensitivity; with boron, rupture life 2-3x longer.

Industry Applications

Industry Typical Component Why A-286?
Gas Turbines Turbine discs, casings, bolting ASME stress matches 718 to 650C at 50% cost
Jet Engines Afterburner components, fasteners Oxidation + strength to 700C
Automotive Turbocharger wheels Net-shape forging + single aging step
High-Temp Fasteners ASTM A453 Gr.660 studs/bolts Standard for bolting above 500C
Cryogenics Superconducting magnet supports No ductile-to-brittle transition to -269C
Springs Compression springs Retains spring temper to 650C

Quality Assurance (7-Stage)

  1. Raw material purity verified by OES
  2. VIM melt chemistry: Ti +/-0.08%, B by ICP-OES
  3. Hot working: IR pyrometry, reduction >=4:1
  4. Solution anneal: digital chart +/-5C, quench delay <=30 sec
  5. Age hardening: hardness 24-35 HRC, tensile per lot
  6. NDE: 100% UT for bars >=50mm, PMI every piece
  7. EN 10204 3.1 MTC, SGS/TUV witness available

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is A-286 used for?

High-temperature bolting (ASTM A453), gas turbine discs, jet engine afterburner components, turbocharger wheels, springs, and cryogenic supports -- at 40-50% lower cost than Inconel 718.

Q2: What is the density?

7.92 g/cm3 -- 6% lighter than Inconel 718.

Q3: What is the maximum service temperature?

~700C (1300F). Gamma-prime solvus at ~730C.

Q4: What is the melting point?

1370-1430C (2500-2600F).

Q5: What is the tensile strength?

>=895 MPa (>=130 ksi) aged per AMS 5731.

Q6: What is the yield strength?

>=585 MPa (>=85 ksi) aged. ~440 MPa at 650C.

Q7: How does A-286 compare to Inconel 718?

A-286: iron-based, 40-50% lower cost, 50C higher service ceiling, superior weldability. 718: nickel-based, 40% stronger at RT. Choose A-286 when temperature is the limit, 718 when stress is the limit.

Q8: What heat treatment?

(1) Solution anneal 900-980C, oil/water quench. (2) Age 720C/16h, air cool.

Q9: Is A-286 weldable?

Yes -- one of the most weldable precipitation-hardening superalloys. GTAW/GMAW with ERNiFeCr-1.

Q10: Why is boron important?

Suppresses grain-boundary creep, increasing rupture life 2-3x.

Q11: Price per kg?

$15-25/kg EXW -- 40-50% less than Inconel 718. Email sales@hangboalloy.com.

Q12: Magnetic?

Slightly magnetic. For non-magnetic, use Inconel 718.

Q13: Product forms?

Round bars (6-300 mm), bolt blanks (ASTM A453), plates (3-50 mm), forgings, wire.

Q14: International shipping?

Yes -- FOB/CIF/DAP to 40+ countries. Stock 2-4 weeks; mill 8-12 weeks.

Q15: Cryogenic service?

Yes -- FCC matrix has no ductile-to-brittle transition to -269C.

Q16: Heat-to-heat consistency?

VIM melting: Ti control +/-0.08%, tensile variation <=40 MPa.

Contact Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group

Channel Details
Company Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group Co., Ltd. - China Supplier
Website www.nickel-alloy.com
Email sales@hangboalloy.com
WhatsApp (Lisa) +86 13611656360
Address Shanghai, China
XFacebookWhatsAppLinkedInEmailCopy link