BACH INDUSTRY AG sells Inconel 718 (Alloy 718) in bar, sheet, wire, and powder forms with full EN 10204 3.1 traceability. Quick quotes. Worldwide delivery.
High temperature capability: reliable strength from cryogenic (−253 °C) up to about 704 °C continuous service.
Corrosion & oxidation resistance: stable Cr₂O₃ passive film for harsh media and hot gas environments.
Weldable HRSA: better weldability than many Ni-base superalloys; properties recover with post-weld aging.
Predictable manufacturing: well-documented heat treatments, machining approaches, and QA procedures.
Broad availability: round/flat bar, rod, wire, sheet/plate/foil, forgings, fasteners/springs, AM powder.
Tell us sizes, spec (ASTM/AMS), condition (solution-annealed / aged), quantity, and destination — we’ll quote same day.
What is Inconel 718 alloy?
Inconel 718 (Alloy 718) is a precipitation-hardened nickel-chromium superalloy (UNS N07718). There is no difference between Alloy 718 and Inconel 718—the chemistry is identical. “Inconel” is the trademarked name, while “Alloy 718” is the generic designation.
Who invented it? The alloy was developed at INCO by Herbert L. Eiselstein. A patent was filed on November 13, 1958, and granted on July 24, 1962 (US Patent 3,046,108).
Is it steel? No. Although it contains iron, Inconel 718 is a nickel-base superalloy whose strength comes from γ′/γ″ precipitation hardening.
Where is it used? Common applications include turbine rings, casings, and discs, rocket components, cryogenic tanks, fasteners, and instrument parts. Industries that rely on Alloy 718 include aerospace, energy, oil & gas, chemical processing, and advanced manufacturing.
Nominal chemical composition of Inconel 718
Element
Ni
Cr
Fe
Nb
Mo
Ti
Al
Co
Mn
Si
C
Max Content wt.%
55.00
21.00
Bal.
5.50
3.30
1.15
0.80
1.00
0.35
0.35
0.08
Min Content wt.%
50.00
17.00
Bal.
4.75
2.80
0.65
0.20
-
-
-
-
Key Inconel 718 properties
Values vary by product form and condition (annealed/aged). Use the certified MTC for design; data below are typical ranges from the datasheet.
Strength vs temperature & creep. Datasheet curves cover short/long-time strength and creep up to about 1400 °F. Ask us for design curves (e.g., 100/1000/10,000 h) for your form/condition.
Corrosion/oxidation. General corrosion and oxidation resistance comparable to other Ni-Cr superalloys, including in chloride-bearing and oxidizing environments.
Inconel 718 at temperature (CTE, liquidus, recrystallization)
Melting range: 1260–1336 °C (2300–2437 °F).
Heat capacity at 70 °F: 0.104 Btu/lb·°F< (435 J/kg·K).
Thermal expansion (CTE): increases with temperature.
Recrystallization & grain size: controlled by anneal temperature/time.
Phases: matrix γ (FCC); strengthening γ″ (Ni₃Nb) with secondary γ′ (Ni₃(Al,Ti)); δ (Ni₃Nb) can form at grain boundaries on exposure/aging.
Inside the alloy: microstructure & surface treatments
Age-hardenable austenitic superalloy. Strength develops during aging via γ′/γ″ precipitation. Relatively slow hardening kinetics allow welding in the solution-annealed state with post-weld aging to restore properties.
Passivation. Post-machining citric or nitric passivation removes embedded iron and stabilizes the passive film.
Nitriding (optional). Low-temperature nitriding is used for wear/erosion resistance; limit case depth to protect fatigue life.
Etching / QA. Standard metallographic etchants and electrolytic methods reveal grain boundaries and precipitates for quality control.
Welding Inconel 718
One of the most frequent questions is: can you weld Inconel 718? The answer is yes — though welding this superalloy presents challenges due to its susceptibility to Laves phase formation and micro-fissuring in the heat-affected zone. Successful Inconel 718 welding requires careful process selection and optimized heat treatment before and after welding to minimize cracking and preserve strength.
Laser Welding (LW)
Research has shown that laser welding can achieve high-quality joints in Inconel 718 when parameters are optimized. CO₂, pulsed Nd:YAG, and fiber lasers have been used, with power ranges from 1–8 kW depending on grain size. Fine-grained material welds more reliably, while coarse grains increase the risk of liquation cracking. Post-weld heat treatments (PWHT), such as solution treatment at 980 °C, dissolve harmful Laves phases and improve weld integrity.
Electron Beam Welding (EBW)
EBW has proven effective for cast Inconel 718, especially when grain size falls within a 90–3000 μm range. Larger grains can reduce grain boundary micro-fissuring by lowering the chance of weld intersections. Post-weld heat treatment is critical for cryogenic applications, as it improves toughness and reduces brittle Laves phases.
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG)
GTAW (TIG welding) is another widely used process. Studies show that pulsed current and activating fluxes improve penetration, reduce hot cracking, and refine the solidification structure. Inconel 82 and ERNiCu-7 filler metals are commonly used when welding Inconel 718 to stainless steels such as AISI 316L or 310S.
Friction Welding (FW)
In friction welding, mechanical pressure generates heat to bond components. Post-weld heat treatments further enhance strength and ductility, although excessive PWHT may increase grain size and reduce toughness.
MIG and Cold Metal Transfer (CMT)
MIG welding of Inconel 718 has been tested with Cold Metal Transfer (CMT), producing a narrower heat-affected zone than conventional MIG. However, brittle phases were still observed in the weld zone, highlighting the need for process refinement.
Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)
In recent years, Inconel 718 3D printing has become a game-changer for producing complex geometries that would be difficult or impossible to machine conventionally. Using Inconel 718 powder, selective laser melting (SLM), electron beam melting (EBM), and directed energy deposition (DED) processes create near-net-shape components with high dimensional accuracy.
Powder characteristics: The alloy powder typically has spherical particles with controlled size distribution to ensure uniform melting and flowability. Gas atomization is the most common method for producing Inconel 718 powder.
Advantages: Additive manufacturing allows for weight reduction, part consolidation, and customized designs, especially in aerospace and space applications where performance-to-weight ratio is critical.
Challenges: Printed Inconel 718 can show anisotropy in mechanical properties and requires post-processing such as hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and heat treatment to achieve full density and eliminate internal porosity.
The combination of traditional forging and machining with advanced additive manufacturing ensures that Inconel 718 remains one of the most versatile superalloys for next-generation engineering applications.
718 vs Monel K-500: 718 offers far higher hot-strength and oxidation resistance; K-500 (Ni-Cu) excels in seawater corrosion but has much lower high-temperature strength.
718 vs Titanium (suppressor/exhaust): Ti is lighter but loses strength rapidly at elevated temperatures; 718 maintains load capacity and oxidation resistance under thermal cycling.
Pricing, lead times & global supply
Regions. We ship worldwide, including Switzerland, Germany, and other EU countries, with full import documentation.
Is Inconel 718 expensive? Yes, relative to stainless/titanium grades — due to nickel content, controlled melting (VIM/VAR), and aging heat treatments. Consolidated shipments and optimized cutting plans reduce total cost.
Who buys Inconel 718? Aerospace, turbomachinery/energy, oil & gas toolmakers, chemical-processing OEMs, AM bureaus, precision fastener/spring manufacturers.
Lead times & MOQs. Many sizes available ex-stock. Large diameters/special specs may require mill lead times. We offer cut-to-size with low MOQs for prototypes.
Why buy from us
One-stop: stock + machining + heat-treat + NDT.
Certified materials: MTC 3.1, full heat-lot traceability.
Application support: machining guidance, welding/laser advice, AM powder selection.
Quality & compliance: ISO-aligned processes, PMI, hardness and microstructural checks on request.
