INCONEL alloy X-750
High-performance nickel-chromium alloys have helped to develop projects across a wide range of industries. These materials combine high strength with exceptional corrosion resistance, and are capable of maintaining these properties under some of the most extreme conditions.
One alloy that shows remarkable resilience and performance in a wide variety of temperatures and service environments is INCONEL alloy X-750. This precipitation-hardenable alloy has a high nickel content (a minimum of 70%) with chromium (14-17%), as well as significant additions of iron and titanium. The carefully balanced composition results in an alloy that is used in applications across a wide variety of industrial fields.
Key properties
INCONEL alloy X-750 is a popular material because of its corrosion and oxidation resistance, as well as high strength, at temperatures up to 1300°F. It is also useful in even more extreme temperatures, up to 1800°F, but many of the effects of the precipitation hardening is lost at this higher end of the temperature gauge. At the other end of the scale, the material also performs well in cryogenic conditions.
The alloy exhibits a good range of corrosion resistance, under both oxidising and reducing conditions. It can resist oxidation and attack from high-temperature corrosive media. It is also, even in its precipitation-hardened state, resistant to chloride-ion stress-corrosion cracking.
Industry applications
Because of its useful properties that are retained in a variable range of extreme conditions, INCONEL alloy X-750 is used in a lot of different industrial applications. For example, it is used in gas turbines for various different parts, including the rotor blades. It can also be used for large pressure vessels, heat-treating fixtures, airframe thrust reversers and hot-air ducting systems, forming tools, extrusion dies, nuclear reactors and test machine grips. It’s also a material that is out of this world, literally, as it is used a lot in rocket-engine thrusters, where metals have to hold up under intense pressure and heat.
The age-hardening process is key, as this imparts a strength that enables the alloy to be used in high-pressure situations, for example in offshore deep well reserves. Many parts of the down hole and wellhead equipment, such as hangers, sub-surface safety valves, pumps and packers, require age-hardened alloys to ensure that the materials are strong enough to withstand the heavy weight.
There are various heat treatments that are applied to this alloy, depending on the end use. For example, for use in temperatures exceeding 1100°F and under heavy load, then the alloy will undergo solution treating, stabilisation treating and precipitation treating. For lower temperature ranges, it is strengthened by precipitation treating after hot or cold working, or by precipitation treating after equalising or solution treating. In some circumstances, a furnace-cooling treatment can be used.
Find out more about this material on its specific product page, or get in touch with a member of the Sales team to discuss your project’s requirements and the suitability of INCONEL alloy X-750.
