Alloy 601 is a solid-solution-strengthened nickel-base alloy with a face-centered-cubic matrix that retains ductility after prolonged elevated-temperature exposure. Its nominal composition — approximately 60% Ni, 23% Cr, 14% Fe, and 1.3% Al — delivers a unique three-way balance: the high chromium content provides oxidation and carburization resistance; the aluminum promotes an adherent protective scale; and the nickel-iron base suppresses chloride-ion SCC and aqueous corrosion.
In oil & gas service, N06601 excels wherever temperatures exceed the safe range for standard stainless steels — in flare tips, steam-reformer furnace tubes, fired heater radiant sections, and sour-gas processing equipment that combines elevated temperature with corrosive sulfur species. SHUNFU METAL subjects every heat to optical emission spectrometry and full mechanical testing before release, and can supply material to EN 10204 3.1 or third-party witnessed 3.2 inspection.
Inconel 601 (UNS N06601 / W. Nr. 2.4851) is a nickel-chromium-iron superalloy with a deliberate aluminum addition (1.0–1.7%) that gives it exceptional resistance to high-temperature oxidation up to 1,250 °C (2,280 °F). The synergistic Al₂O₃–Cr₂O₃ oxide film it forms is self-healing, tightly adherent, and highly resistant to spalling under severe thermal cycling — making Inconel 601 bar the material of choice for furnace internals, refinery radiant tubes, flare systems, and high-temperature oil & gas processing components worldwide. SHUNFU METAL produces N06601 bar through VIM with optional VAR remelting, delivering homogeneous chemistry, refined grain structure, and full traceability from melt to finished bar.
Equivalent Grades & Applicable Standards
| Standard Body | Designation / Grade | Specification / Form |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM | N06601 | B166 (bar & rod), B168 (plate/sheet), B167 (tube), B564 (forgings) |
| ASME | N06601 | SB-166 (bar), SB-168 (plate), SB-167 (tube), SB-564 (forgings) |
| AMS | — | AMS 5715 (bar, rod, wire, forgings), AMS 5870 (sheet, strip, plate) |
| EN / DIN | NiCr23Fe / 2.4851 | EN 10095, DIN 17742, DIN 17750–17754 |
| BS | NA 49 | BS 3076 (bar) |
| GOST | ХН60В | GOST 5632 (heat-resistant alloys) |
| JIS | NCF 601 | JIS G 4901 (bar), JIS G 3464 (tube) |
| AFNOR | NC23FeA | NF A 36-607 |
Oil & Gas Applications of Inconel 601 Bar
The combination of extreme-temperature oxidation resistance and carburization immunity makes Inconel 601 bar the preferred stock material for these critical oil, gas, and petrochemical components:
- Radiant tube hangers
- Burner nozzle tips
- Thermocouple sheaths
- Furnace roller shafts
- Flare tip support rings
- High-velocity burner nozzles
- Flare stack internals
- Exhaust manifold liners
- Steam reformer catalyst baskets
- Ethylene cracker tube supports
- Catalyst support grids
- Ammonia reformer inserts
- FGD absorber internals
- Heat exchanger tube sheets
- High-temperature valve stems
- Sour-gas reactor baffles
N06601 Bar — Supply Dimensions
SHUNFU METAL offers Inconel 601 bar in four production forms with broad dimensional coverage. All stock is 100% ultrasonically tested; certificates per EN 10204 3.1 are standard with every shipment.
| Product Form | Section Profile | Size Range | Standard Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot-Rolled Round Bar | Round | Ø 6 mm – Ø 200 mm | 3 m – 6 m (cut-to-length available) |
| Hot-Rolled Flat Bar | Flat / Square | Thickness 6–120 mm × Width 20–300 mm | 2 m – 6 m |
| Forged Round Bar | Round | Ø 80 mm – Ø 800 mm | 0.5 m – 4 m (custom billet & ingot) |
| Forged Flat Bar / Block | Flat / Block | Thickness 50–600 mm × Width up to 1,000 mm | Custom / as-ordered |
Surface conditions: as-forged/rolled (black), turned/peeled, centerless-ground, or polished. Tolerances per ASTM B166 or customer drawing. Custom cross-sections (hex, square) available on request.
Inconel 601 Chemical Composition
Composition limits per ASTM B166 for UNS N06601 bar & rod. SHUNFU METAL verifies each heat by OES and issues a full chemical certificate before dispatch.
| Ni | Cr | Fe | Al | C | Mn | Si | S | Cu |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58.0–63.0 | 21.0–25.0 | Bal. | 1.0–1.7 | ≤ 0.10 | ≤ 1.0 | ≤ 0.5 | ≤ 0.015 | ≤ 1.0 |
| All values in weight %. Fe balance (typically 10–15%). Al highlighted as the key differentiator from Alloy 600. |
The aluminum addition (1.0–1.7%) is the defining feature of Inconel 601 vs. Inconel 600. It promotes the formation of a tenacious Al₂O₃ sub-layer within the protective oxide scale, dramatically improving spalling resistance during repeated thermal cycling. SHUNFU METAL tightly controls Al with a target range of 1.20–1.55% to ensure consistent oxidation performance in every bar produced.
Mechanical Properties of N06601 Bar
Typical and minimum values per ASTM B166 and AMS 5715. SHUNFU METAL conducts destructive tensile testing per ASTM E8 and hardness per ASTM E18 on specimens taken from production bar ends for every lot.
| Condition | Tensile Strength MPa (ksi) |
0.2% Yield Strength MPa (ksi) |
Elongation % (min) |
Hardness HRB (typ.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot-Finished (As-Rolled) | 585–825 (85–120) | 240–690 (35–100) | ≥ 15 | 65–95 |
| Annealed (Bar) | 550–790 (80–115) | 205–415 (30–60) | ≥ 40 | 60–80 |
| Solution-Annealed (Forged) | typ. 655–760 (95–110) | typ. 310–415 (45–60) | ≥ 35 | 75–88 |
| Cold-Worked (Stress-Relieved) | typ. 790–930 (115–135) | typ. 585–720 (85–105) | ≥ 12 | 92–100 |
Annealing temperature: 1,100–1,200 °C (2,010–2,190 °F), followed by rapid cooling. Physical properties: density 8.11 g/cm³; melting range 1,320–1,370 °C. SHUNFU METAL’s in-house heat treatment furnace allows controlled atmosphere annealing to prevent surface contamination on finished bar.
Need Inconel 601 / N06601 to the specification above?
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