Inconel 718 Procurement Whitepaper - How to Avoid Fake & Off-Spec Material
Date: 2026年9月4日 Categories: News Views: 210
By Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group Co., Ltd. - China Supplier | ISO 9001:2015 | Est. 2012
Contact: sales@hangboalloy.com | hangbo@nickel-alloy.com | WhatsApp (Lisa): +86 13611656360
Quick Answer: What Is the Biggest Risk When Buying Inconel 718?
Inconel 718 (UNS N07718) is the world's most-used aerospace superalloy — and the world's most-counterfeited. The biggest risk is receiving 316L/625-grade material or un-aged 718 priced as aerospace-grade AMS 5663 material. Because 718 in the solution-annealed condition is soft and visually identical to other bright austenitic alloys, buyers must verify chemistry (PMI), heat treatment (hardness), and traceability (AMS/heat number) before payment. This whitepaper gives 6 field checks.
Why 718 Is the Most Counterfeited Alloy
- Price spread: AMS 5663 (aged) aerospace bar sells 2-4x commercial-grade 718.
- Visual look-alike: Annealed 718, 625, and 316L all look identical.
- Heat-treatment dependency: 718 has NO strength until aged (718C/8h + 621C/8h). Un-aged material fails in service.
- Fake MTCs: Forged certificates circulate widely; only heat-number verification catches them.
The 6 Field Checks (Do These Before Payment)
| Check | What It Proves | Method / Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| 1. PMI (XRF) | Chemistry = N07718 | Nb 4.75-5.50%, Mo 2.8-3.3%, Ti 0.65-1.15% |
| 2. Hardness | Aged condition | AMS 5663 aged: 33-46 HRC. Annealed: <20 HRC |
| 3. Tensile (if possible) | Full properties | Aged: YS >= 1030 MPa, TS >= 1240 MPa |
| 4. Grain size | Correct processing | ASTM 4-6 typical for bar |
| 5. MTC + heat number | Traceability | EN 10204 3.1 + VIM/VAR heat number |
| 6. Eddy current / UT | Internal soundness | No cracks, proper ultrasonic per AMS 2154 |
Critical: PMI cannot tell aged from un-aged — ALWAYS check hardness.
The 4 Procurement Traps
Trap 1: "Commercial grade" sold as aerospace AMS 5663
Avoid: Require the AMS spec on the MTC + hardness 33-46 HRC.
Trap 2: Annealed material shipped "ready to use"
Avoid: Specify "solution + double-aged per AMS 5663" in writing; verify hardness at receipt.
Trap 3: 625 or 316L substitution
Avoid: PMI every heat; 625 fails Nb/Mo/Ti balance, 316L fails all three.
Trap 4: Forged certificates
Avoid: Call the mill with the heat number, or request SGS/TUV third-party inspection.
Correct Heat Treatment Reference
| Step | Specification |
|---|---|
| Solution anneal | 940-1010C / 1h / rapid cool |
| Age 1 | 718C / 8h / furnace cool to 621C |
| Age 2 | 621C / 8h / air cool |
| Result | YS >= 1030 MPa, TS >= 1240 MPa, EI >= 12% |
Price Reference (2026, EXW)
| Form | Fair Price Range |
|---|---|
| Round Bar (AMS 5663, aged) | \$45-75/kg |
| Bar (commercial, annealed) | \$35-55/kg |
| Below \$30/kg | Suspicious — likely 316L/625 substitute |
FAQ
Q1: How do I verify Inconel 718 is real?
PMI (Nb 4.75-5.50%) + hardness (33-46 HRC if aged) + EN 10204 3.1 MTC with heat number.
Q2: What is AMS 5663 vs 5662?
AMS 5662 = solution annealed; AMS 5663 = solution + aged (higher strength).
Q3: Why is un-aged 718 dangerous?
Without aging, yield strength drops below 550 MPa — parts fail under load.
Q4: Can 718 be confused with 625?
Yes visually. PMI Nb/Mo balance distinguishes them; 625 has 9% Mo, 718 has 3% Mo.
Q5: What hardness should aged 718 be?
33-46 HRC (Rockwell C).
Q6: What is the correct aging cycle?
718C/8h + 621C/8h after 940-1010C solution anneal.
Q7: What does Shanghai Hangbo provide?
718 in solution + aged condition (AMS 5662/5663), with PMI reports and EN 10204 3.1 MTC. SGS/TUV/BV inspection available.
Contact & Complete Product Range
Shanghai Hangbo Alloy Group Co., Ltd. - China Supplier
Email: sales@hangboalloy.com | WhatsApp (Lisa): +86 13611656360 | www.nickel-alloy.com
All Grades
Ni: NI200-N6 | Monel: 400-502, K-500, R-405 | Inconel: 600-740H, X-750, 725 | Incoloy: 800-27-7MO | Hastelloy: C-276-HYBRID-BC1, N | Super Austenitic: 904L-AL-6XN | Chromium-Rich: Alloy 33 | High-Strength Stainless: Nitronic 50/60, PH13-8Mo | Chlorination: Alloy 45 | Nimonic: 75-263 | Haynes: 25-HR-160 | RA: 330/333 | Precision: 1J22-4J45 | High-Strength: 18Ni250-AerMet100 | Heating: Cr20Ni80/60 | Specialty: Alloy 20-602CA
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