Inconel 617 (UNS N06617) Supplier – Certified Round Bar, Seamless Tube & Plate for ASME Pressure Vessels | Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group
Date: 2026年7月17日 Categories: News Views: 315
By Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group Co., Ltd. | ISO 9001:2015 | Est. 2012 | Shanghai, China
Contact: sales@hangboalloy.com | hangbo@nickel-alloy.com | WhatsApp: +86 13611656360
Quick Answer: What Is Inconel 617?
Inconel 617 (UNS N06617 / W.Nr. 2.4663) is an advanced nickel-chromium-cobalt-molybdenum superalloy engineered specifically for long-term structural load-bearing service at temperatures up to 1000°C (1832°F). Through a unique combination of solid-solution strengthening (Co, Mo) and subtle precipitation hardening (Al, Ni₃Al), Inconel 617 delivers the highest creep-rupture strength of any wrought nickel alloy currently listed in the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII. Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group supplies Inconel 617 in precision round bars, seamless tubes, and plates, fully certified to ASME SB-166/167/168 and ready for the most demanding power generation and petrochemical reformer service.
Key Properties at a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| UNS Number | N06617 |
| W.Nr. | 2.4663 |
| Density | 8.36 g/cm³ (0.302 lb/in³) |
| Melting Range | 1332 – 1380 °C (2430 – 2516 °F) |
| Max Service Temp. (ASME) | 982 °C (1800 °F) — verified allowable-stress |
| Tensile Strength (RT) | ≥ 655 MPa (95 ksi) |
| Yield Strength (RT, 0.2%) | ≥ 240 MPa (35 ksi) |
| Elongation (RT) | ≥ 35% |
| Thermal Conductivity | 13.4 W/m·K at 100 °C |
| Key Standards | ASTM B166, ASME SB-166, AMS 5887 |
The ASME Trap: Why "Hot Spec" Alloys Collapse Under Constant Load
Inconel 617 is the "Engineer's Alloy." It is not specified for its flashy yield strength at room temperature but for its Creep-Rupture Life at temperatures where most metals would flow like putty.
Pain Point 1: The "Estimated" vs. "ASME-Certified" Stress Values
Many suppliers market "High-Temperature" alloys by quoting elevated-temperature tensile strength at 800°C. But these numbers are useless for pressure vessel design. The ASME allowable stress value factors in a 100,000-hour creep life. If your supplier cannot provide the specific ASME SB-166 code data sheet with their heat, they are selling you a material that cannot legally be used in a coded high-temperature vessel.
Pain Point 2: Steam Methane Reformer (SMR) Pigtails — The Most Punishing Job on Earth
SMR pigtail tubes see 850°C on the outside (firebox) and 700°C on the inside (steam-hydrogen mix). The thermal gradient creates massive hoop stress. We have seen pigtails fail in 3,000 hours because they were made with "617 chemistry" but had a grain size too fine (ASTM 8 vs. the required ASTM 4-5). Hangbo's 617 is specifically controlled to a coarse grain structure to maximize creep ductility under weld-zone constraints.
Pain Point 3: The "Unweldable" High-Cobalt Myth
Due to its high cobalt (~12.5%), inferior refinements of Alloy 617 suffer from hot cracking in the weld. Shanghai Hangbo uses VIM + ESR dual-refining to reduce sulfur and phosphorus to trace levels (<0.001%), making our 617 fully weldable for complex fabrications like header boxes and transition ducts.
How Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group Solves High-Temp Structural Design
| Your Technical Pain Point | Our Engineering-Grade Solution | Your Operational Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Unverified ASME allowable stress | Full ASME SB-166 Heat Certification | Safe, legal pressure vessel design to 982°C |
| Premature creep failure (SMR tubes) | Controlled ASTM Grain Size 3-5 coarsening | 100,000+ hours of service life |
| Weld hot cracking | VIM + ESR Refining (S < 0.001%) | Complex fabrications without rework |
| Al/Ti segregation | Precision Triple-Melt Chemistry Control | Uniform properties across entire section |
Product Overview: The Creep-Resistance Champion
Inconel 617 (UNS N06617) occupies a unique metallurgical niche. It deliberately straddles the line between a solid-solution alloy (like 625) and a γ′-strengthened alloy (like 263). The brilliant chemistry manages a small volume fraction of γ′ (Ni₃Al) just enough to pin dislocations during creep, without making the alloy brittle or unweldable. Cobalt keeps the gamma matrix stiff, while Chromium (22%) and Aluminum (1.2%) ensure an impervious oxide layer.
Why specify 617 over Inconel 625 for high-temperature parts?
At 850°C, Inconel 625 has essentially zero structural strength left. The molybdenum and niobium in 625 begin to soften the matrix. Inconel 617's cobalt "backbone" keeps it solid, maintaining over 200 MPa of allowable stress at temperatures where 625 would deform instantly.
Founded in 2012 in Shanghai, Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group is not a broker. We are a certified producer. We provide 100% Ultrasonic Testing, Positive Material Identification (PMI), and the ASME code paperwork that your engineering and insurance inspectors demand.
Executive Standards
| Product Form | ASTM | ASME | AMS | W.Nr./DIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round Bar / Forging | B166 / B564 | SB-166 / SB-564 | AMS 5887 | 2.4663 |
| Seamless Tube / Pipe | B167 | SB-167 | — | 2.4663 |
| Sheet / Plate / Strip | B168 | SB-168 | — | 2.4663 |
| Wire | B166 | — | — | 2.4663 |
Chemical Composition (wt.% per ASTM B166)
100% OES verified on every heat at Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group.
| Element | Ni | Cr | Co | Mo | Al | Fe | Ti | C | Mn | Si |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min (%) | 44.5 | 20.0 | 10.0 | 8.0 | 0.8 | — | — | 0.05 | — | — |
| Max (%) | — | 24.0 | 15.0 | 10.0 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 0.15 | 0.50 | 0.50 |
Critical Note: The 0.8-1.5% Aluminum is essential for the subtle γ′ precipitation needed for creep resistance. Always verify this on the MTC.
Mechanical & Physical Properties
Room-Temperature Properties (Annealed)
| Property | Value | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 655 MPa (95 ksi) | ASTM B166 |
| Yield Strength (0.2%) | ≥ 240 MPa (35 ksi) | ASTM B166 |
| Elongation | ≥ 35% | ASTM B166 |
| Hardness | ≤ 95 HRB | — |
| Density | 8.36 g/cm³ | — |
| Melting Range | 1332–1380 °C | — |
| Specific Heat | 419 J/kg·K | — |
Heat Treatment: The Creep-Life Maximizer
Inconel 617 is typically used in the solution-annealed condition.
- Temperature: 1175°C – 1230°C (2150°F – 2250°F).
- Soaking: 1–2 hours (longer times promote the coarser grain essential for creep resistance).
- Cooling: Rapid air cool or water quench.
- The "Hangbo Advantage": For SMR pigtails and furnace tubes, we specifically target a 1200°C anneal with a controlled slow quench to produce an ASTM Grain Size of 3-4. This is critical; fine-grained 617 will fail in creep tests in half the time. We certify this grain size on every MTC.
Industry Applications
| Industry | Typical Component | Performance Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Petrochemical | SMR pigtails, header boxes | Creep life > 100,000 hrs at 850°C |
| Power Generation | Superheater tubes, turbine casings | ASME Section VIII compliance |
| Aerospace | Combustion liners, exhaust frames | Thermal fatigue resistance |
| Nuclear | VHTR intermediate heat exchangers | Stable micros tructure to 1000°C |
Quality Assurance: 7-Stage Verification
- VIM+ESR Melting: Verified logs ensuring ultra-low gas content and trace elements.
- OES Chemistry: Confirmation of Al (0.8-1.5%) and Co for creep response.
- 100% UT: Per ASTM A388 on all bars to detect internal anomalies.
- Grain Size Validation: Per ASTM E112 (target G3-G5) for creep certification.
- ASME Documentation: Verified SB-166 compliance check and allowable stress report.
- Mechanical Testing: Tensile, yield, and elongation lab-certified per EN 10204 3.1.
- Hydrostatic Test: 100% of tubes pressure-tested before shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is Inconel 617 used for?
It is primarily used for ultra-high-temperature structural supports in petrochemical reformer furnaces, ASME-coded pressure vessels, and gas turbine combustion transition liners.
Q2: What is the density of Inconel 617?
8.36 g/cm³ (0.302 lb/in³).
Q3: What is the maximum service temperature of Inconel 617?
ASME calculated allowable stresses exist up to 982°C (1800°F).
Q4: What is the melting point of Inconel 617?
The melting range is 1332°C to 1380°C.
Q5: Is Inconel 617 weldable?
Yes, using GTAW (TIG) with ERNiCrCoMo-1 filler. Our low-sulfur VIM+ESR refining ensures no hot cracking.
Q6: How does Inconel 617 compare to Inconel 625?
Inconel 617 has cobalt, which makes it dramatically stronger than 625 at temperatures above 800°C where 625 loses all structural strength.
Q7: What forms do you supply?
Round bars (10-400mm), seamless tubes (OD 6-219mm), and plates (1-100mm thick).
Q8: What is the price of Inconel 617 per kg?
Expect a range of $38–$82 USD/kg. Contact sales@hangboalloy.com for a same-day quote.
Q9: Can you provide ASME certification?
Yes. Every order is supplied with full ASME SB-166 compliance papers.
Q10: Does Shanghai Hangbo ship internationally?
Yes. We export to 32 countries with door-to-door logistics.
Contact Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group
Get a competitive quote within 10 minutes.
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| Website | www.nickel-alloy.com |
| Email (Sales) | sales@hangboalloy.com |
| Email (Tech) | hangbo@nickel-alloy.com |
| WhatsApp / Phone | +86 13611656360 |
| Address | Shanghai, China |
Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group Co., Ltd. — Engineering the Future of High-Temperature Structural Integrity.
Production Process
Our material is manufactured using VIM (Vacuum Induction Melting) + VAR (Vacuum Arc Remelting) or ESR (Electroslag Refining) processes to ensure ultra-high purity and metallurgical integrity. The material undergoes precision machining and rigorous heat treatment (Solution Annealing/Aging) to achieve the specified mechanical properties and grain size consistency.
Testing & Inspection
To guarantee zero-defect delivery, all batches undergo comprehensive testing:
- UT/PT Flaw Detection: Ultrasonic and Penetrant testing to identify surface and internal defects.
- Mechanical Testing: High and low temperature tensile testing, impact testing, and hardness verification.
- Corrosion Testing: Intergranular corrosion tests and pitting resistance verification according to ASTM standards.
Quality Control
We implement a total quality management system with full-process traceability from raw material to finished product. All products are manufactured in strict compliance with ASTM, ASME, and AMS standards, accompanied by EN 10204 3.1/3.2 certificates.
Market Pain Points & Solutions
- Delivery Consistency: We address supply chain delays by maintaining a large inventory of raw billets and semi-finished products, ensuring rapid response times.
- Extreme Environment Tolerance: Our specialized melting processes ensure that our alloys maintain structural stability in highly corrosive and high-pressure environments where standard materials fail.
Deep Application Insights
- Petrochemical: Used in flare stacks and flare tips where resistance to high temperatures and sour gas corrosion is critical.
- Nuclear Power: Applied in reactor core components and control rod mechanisms due to its excellent radiation resistance and mechanical stability.
- Aerospace: Found in engine exhaust systems and turbine shroud rings where high fatigue strength and oxidation resistance are required.
Product Forms & Standards Comparison
| Product Form | Main ASTM Standard | Dimensions Range |
|---|---|---|
| Round Bar | ASTM B166 | Φ6mm - Φ500mm |
| Seamless Tube | ASTM B163/B167 | OD 6mm - 219mm |
| Plate/Sheet | ASTM B168 | T 0.5mm - 50mm |
| Forgings | ASTM B564 | Custom Drawings |
