Comprehensive List of Common Nickel-Base Alloy Grades

Nickel-base alloys are not a single material class but a structured family divided by strengthening mechanism (solid-solution vs. precipitation-hardened), service temperature band, and stress environment. Correct grade selection depends on whether the component sees ≤650°C high stress (rotating), 650–870°C creep, 900–1040°C oxidation-dominated static load, or aggressive aqueous corrosion. This article lists the commercially important wrought nickel-base grades with precise cross-references, strengthening type, and temperature ceiling — for engineering screening, not marketing claims.

1. Solid-Solution Strengthened Nickel-Base Alloys (No γ′/γ″, Weldable, Low Creep Strength)

These rely on Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Co in the FCC matrix. They are chosen for oxidation/corrosion resistance, fabricability, and low-stress high-temperature service, not for high creep strength.

Rule: Solid-solution grades have no precipitation hardening. Above 650°C under load, their creep strength is 1/3–1/5 of γ′-hardened grades.

2. Precipitation-Hardened Nickel-Base Alloys (γ″ or γ′ Strengthened)

These require solution + aging (sometimes multi-stage). They carry rotating and high-stress hot-section parts.

Key physical anchors:

• Inconel 718: density 8.19–8.24 g/cm³, melt 1260–1336°C, Rm ≥1275 MPa (aged), 650°C/415 MPa rupture ≈ 100–300 h.

• Nimonic 90: density 8.18 g/cm³, melt ~1370°C, 750°C/240 MPa rupture ≈ 1000–2000 h, 870°C/100 MPa ≈ 500–1000 h.

• Waspaloy: density 8.19 g/cm³, melt 1330–1365°C, 760°C/240 MPa rupture ≈ 1000 h class, 815°C/131 MPa ≈ 1000 h class; three-stage HT 1080°C→845°C×4–24h→760°C×16h mandatory.

3. Temperature-Band Selection Cut (Fast Screen)

• ≤ 650°C, high stress, rotative:​ Inconel 718 (GH4169)​ — peak yield ~1035 MPa, weldable, thick-section quench capable.

• 600–700°C springs/fasteners (non-rotating):​ Inconel X-750 or Nimonic 80A.

• 650–815°C disks/shafts:​ Waspaloy (GH4738)​ — γ′ solvus ~1000–1020°C, needs 845°C stabilization to block η(Ni₃Ti).

• 650–870°C blades/NGVs/springs:​ Nimonic 90​ — Co 18% raises γ′ solvus, double-age (700–750°C + 650°C).

• 700–950°C welded thin-sheet, low stress:​ Hastelloy X​ (best weldability) or Nimonic 263​ (if post-weld age without SAC is required).

• 900–1040°C static oxidizing:​ Inconel 617, Hastelloy X; above 1040°C cyclic → Co-base (Haynes 188) or Al₂O₃-former (Haynes 214) or TBC + single-crystal Ni.

• Aqueous corrosion priority (≤200°C acid, ≤650°C sour):​ Hastelloy C-276 / C-22, not a high-T creep grade.

4. Cross-Grade Mapping Pitfalls

• GH738 = GH4738 = Waspaloy (N07001); old drawings say GH738, new GB/T 14992 says GH4738 — same melt spec.

• GH4169 = Inconel 718, GH3625 = Inconel 625, GH3600 = Inconel 600, GH3536 = Hastelloy X.

• Nimonic 263 ≠ Nimonic 90: 263 is low-Ti, Co20Mo6, designed for welded sheet; 90 is high-Ti blade/spring grade, Co18 no Mo (or trace).

• Inconel 718 ≠ X-750: 718 is Nb-γ″ dominated (dies above 650°C in creep); X-750 is Al+Ti γ′ spring grade.

• Hastelloy X is Ni-base (GH3536); Haynes 188 is Co-base (GH5188)​ — do not pool by trade-name prefix.

5. Heat-Treatment State Must Be On The PO

Precipitation grades are undefined without HT state:

• Inconel 718:​ Solution + 720°C×8h/F.C. to 620°C×8h (double-age).

• Nimonic 90:​ 1080–1150°C solution + 700–750°C×16h + 650°C×16h (double-age).

• Waspaloy:​ 1080°C solution (oil/water quench) + 845°C stabilization 4–24h​ + 760°C×16h. Omitting 845°C step risks η-phase embrittlement in 10⁴ h service.

• Nimonic 80A:​ 1080°C solution + 700°C×16h single-age (no Co, lower γ′ solvus ~950°C).

• Solid-solution grades: annealed only; no aging.

6. Summary Table — One-Line Grade Index

Nickel-base alloy selection is a 3-axis cut: metal temperature × sustained stress × atmosphere. No single grade covers 650–1100°C with high stress. Inconel 718 owns ≤650°C rotative; Waspaloy and Nimonic 90 own 650–870°C creep; Hastelloy X / Inconel 617 own 900–1040°C static oxidizing; beyond that, coating or Co-base/CMC takes over.

Shanghai COCESS Special Alloys Co., Ltd. supplies Inconel 600/625/617/718/X-750, Hastelloy X/C-276, Nimonic 80A/90/263, Waspaloy (GH4738) in bar, forging, plate, wire with EN 10204 3.1 MTR and AMS/ASTM/GB cross-compliance.