Forging Standard ASTM B564

Introduction to Inconel 617 Material

Inconel 617 (N06617) nickel-cobalt alloy exhibits excellent corrosion resistance in hot corrosion environments such as sulfidation, particularly in oxidizing and carburizing environments with cycling up to 1100°C. These corrosion-resistant properties, combined with outstanding mechanical performance, make Inconel 617 nickel-cobalt alloy particularly suitable for high-temperature applications. Additionally, the high content of nickel, chromium, and molybdenum provides Inconel 617 alloy with good resistance to most corrosive media.

Inconel 617 nickel-cobalt alloy is especially well-suited for applications involving high temperatures and high mechanical stress. It is recommended for use at temperatures below 1000°C. N06617 can also be used in thin-walled structural components where weight reduction is required.

Hot Forming

Due to its very high hot strength, considerable force is required during hot forming processes. Inconel 617 is processed within a temperature range of 1200 to 950°C (2190 to 1740°F), followed by water quenching or air cooling. Heat treatment after hot working is recommended to achieve optimal performance.

Cold Forming

Cold working should be performed on annealed material. Inconel 617 has a higher work hardening rate than austenitic stainless steel, which should be considered when selecting forming equipment. Intermediate annealing is used for high cold forming. For applications above 900°C, solution annealing is required before use if cold reduction exceeds 10% or 5%.

Heat Treatment

Solution heat treatment should be conducted within the temperature range of 1150 to 1200°C. Water quenching is crucial for Inconel 617 to achieve maximum creep resistance. For thicknesses below 1.5 mm, rapid air cooling may be necessary. Stress relief annealing can be performed at temperatures up to 870°C. For any heat treatment, the material should be loaded into the furnace at the maximum annealing temperature, adhering to the cleanliness precautions mentioned earlier under "Heating."

Descaling and Pickling

Superalloys form a protective oxide layer during use. Pre-oxidation in air can enhance corrosion resistance. Therefore, descaling should be inspected based on the final application.

Machining

Inconel 617 is best machined in the solution-treated condition. The alloy's high work hardening rate should be considered, so only low surface cutting speeds and moderate feed rates should be selected.

Inconel 617 Chemical Composition:

Inconel 617 Physical Properties:

Inconel 617 Mechanical Properties:

Available in various specifications including plates, bars, strips, wires, discs, ring blanks, and ring forgings. Bars are supplied in forged-rolled condition, surface ground or turned; discs and ring blanks are supplied in forged condition; rings are supplied in solution-treated condition; plates are supplied after solution treatment, alkaline pickling, straightening, and edge trimming; strips are delivered cold-rolled, solution-treated, and descaled; wires are supplied as solution-pickled coils or straight lengths, or solution-treated straight lengths with fine grinding.