Inconel® is a registered trademark.

It is considered by the metallurgical industry as part of the range of superalloys, ie an alloy containing a large amount of nickel and chromium. However, unlike stainless steels which are all iron-based and alloyed with nickel and chromium, some Inconels are nickel-based and alloyed with chromium and iron, such as Inconel 625 for example. Secondary alloys are mainly copper, manganese and molybdenum. Very resistant to corrosion, it is used for underwater mechanical constructions (mechanical properties comparable to those of stainless steel). Unlike carbon steels which can hardly be used at temperatures over 400 ° C, or stainless steels, which hardly exceed 600 ° C, some Inconels can be used up to temperatures over 800 ° C. This is due to the alloy metals (mainly Mo, Cr and Cu), which raise the creep temperature. Inconels are therefore also used in industrial applications where high temperatures are involved, such as in petroleum units. Inconels have exceptional ductility, superior to that of stainless steels, allowing them to drop to temperatures below -200 ° C without becoming brittle. They are therefore used in areas where very low temperatures are involved (research, distillation of certain air components, etc.)

Usually turns, in conventional machining, at 20 m / min, with 0.05 mm feed for a depth of cut of 1 mm. In high speed machining, it can be milled at 900 m / min, with 1100 mm / min for a depth of cut of 1 mm.