Inconel 600 Tube Sheet
A general-purpose high-nickel alloy with good resistance to both high-temperature oxidation and a range of corrosive chemical environments — the entry point into the nickel-chromium family before the more specialized (and more expensive) molybdenum-bearing grades like 625.
Chemical Composition
| Element | Min % | Max % |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel (Ni) | 72.0 | — |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14.0 | 17.0 |
| Iron (Fe) | 6.0 | 10.0 |
| Carbon (C) | — | 0.15 |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 550 MPa min (annealed) |
| Yield Strength (0.2% offset) | 240 MPa min (annealed) |
| Elongation | 30% min |
| Continuous Oxidation Resistance | ~1095°C |
Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Designation |
|---|---|
| ASTM / UNS | N06600 |
| EN / DIN | 2.4816 |
| Trade Name | Inconel® 600 (Special Metals) |
Where 600 Fits Relative to 625
Purchasing Specifications by Form
For Inconel 600 / UNS N06600, tube-sheet plate interpretation should lead with ASTM B168. Bar, pipe and forging specifications exist in the same family but are not interchangeable plate callouts.
| Element | Reference |
|---|---|
| Common name | Inconel 600 |
| UNS | N06600 |
| Plate / sheet / strip | ASTM B168 (SB-168 where applicable) — lead for plate TS |
| Forging | ASTM B564 (SB-564 where applicable) |
| Bar / rod | ASTM B166 — not plate |
| Pipe / tube | ASTM B167 — not plate |
Do not present B166 / B167 / B168 as equal tube-sheet plate specifications. B168 leads plate; B564 covers forging; B166 and B167 are bar and pipe/tube roles.
Confirm ASME SB-* adoption and Code edition where applicable. Listing a specification is not a certification claim.
| Specification | Product form / role | How to read it for tube sheets |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM B168 / SB-168 | Plate, sheet and strip | Lead plate path for tube-sheet blanks machined from flat product |
| ASTM B564 / SB-564 | Nickel-alloy forgings (N06600 where listed) | Forged blank path when the purchaser specifies forging |
| ASTM B166 | Bar and rod | Not plate. Do not use B166 as a tube-sheet plate purchasing specification |
| ASTM B167 | Pipe and tube | Not plate. Do not use B167 as a tube-sheet plate purchasing specification |
Useful information to include in an RFQ (not mandatory for every enquiry):
- Alloy / grade (Inconel 600) and UNS (N06600)
- Plate (B168) vs forging (B564) — do not accept B166/B167 as TS plate callouts
- Tube-sheet OD / dimensions / thickness
- Tube OD, pitch, hole diameter and pattern
- Drawing + revision, quantity, machining tolerance, inspection / testing
Continue from grade identity into product form and machining:
Applications
Caustic and alkaline chemical processing, general high-temperature furnace and heat-treating equipment, and food/chemical processing where nickel's general corrosion resistance is valued without needing the cost of 625. See Inconel 625 for the higher-alloy alternative.
Advantages & Limitations
Advantages
- Good general high-temperature and caustic resistance
- More economical than molybdenum-bearing nickel alloys
- Well-understood, widely documented behaviour
Limitations
- No molybdenum — limited reducing-acid and pitting resistance
- Lower strength than precipitation-hardened alloys like Inconel 718
- Not the first choice for chloride-heavy or sour service (see 625)
FAQ
Not as well-suited as molybdenum-bearing alternatives like Inconel 625 or Hastelloy — for meaningful chloride exposure, those grades offer better pitting and stress-corrosion resistance. 600 is a better fit for caustic and general high-temperature service.
600's higher nickel content gives better resistance to certain aggressive high-temperature atmospheres and thermal cycling than 310, at a cost premium. The choice depends on the specific atmosphere composition and cycling conditions of the application.
Inconel 600 is typically sourced to order given its specialist demand profile — send your specification and quantity for a confirmed lead time.