There are different types of Inconel 617 sheet, such as rolled sheets, coils, and precision-cut plates, and the widths range from 0.1mm to 50mm. Standard sizes for this high-performance nickel-chromium-cobalt-molybdenum superalloy range from 100mm to 2000mm, and it meets the requirements of ASTM B168, ASME SB168, and EN 10095. The different size choices make it possible for a wide range of uses, from very thin heat shields to heavy-duty structural parts in the nuclear, aerospace, and petrochemical industries. Surface finishes range from mill finish to mirror polish, and you can make them your own by precise cutting, edge conditioning, and applying special surface treatments.
Overview of Inconel 617 Sheet Forms
The way nickel-based superalloy sheets are made has changed a lot over the years, and Inconel 617 is one of the most flexible choices out there. We offer this unique material in three main forms, each of which is designed to meet particular manufacturing needs and requirements.
The most common shape is a rolled sheet, which has a smooth surface and consistent dimensions. These sheets go through controlled rolling processes that make the grain structure more regular. This makes the mechanical properties of the whole surface predictable. The rolling method also makes the sheets' work hardening properties perfect, which makes them perfect for aircraft uses where stress distribution is very important.
Coiled forms are useful in places where a lot of things need to be made, like petrochemical processing, where continuous fabrication processes need a steady flow of materials. The coiling method keeps the integrity of the material and makes it easier to store and move. Protective interleaving on our coiled goods keeps the surfaces clean while they are being handled and stored.
For applications that need accurate measurements, precision-cut plates are the best choice. Laser cutting and waterjet processing are some of the modern cutting methods used on these plates, which allow for tolerances as small as ±0.025mm. The cutting process reduces the amount of heat-affected areas, which keeps the alloy's natural ability to fight corrosion and keep its mechanical properties.
Thickness Range and Dimensional Standards
It is very important for engineers to understand thickness specs when choosing materials for high-temperature uses. Our wide range of thicknesses, from 0.5 mm to 50 mm, is made to strict international standards that make sure they are reliable in a wide range of operating situations.
Very thin sheets (0.5 mm to 2 mm) work best in situations where fast heat transfer and weight reduction are important. A lot of these gauges are used in heat exchangers and combustor liners, where resistance to thermal cycling is more important than structural load-bearing ability. In order to keep flatness tolerances of within 0.1 mm per meter during the production process, thin sheets need to be handled in a certain way.
Sheets with a thickness of 3 mm to 15 mm are used a lot in the superalloy business. This range strikes the perfect mix between being easy to shape and being strong, which makes it perfect for pressure vessel parts and turbine casings. Because of how we make things, the thickness of each sheet surface changes by no more than 0.05 mm.
Heavy-gauge sheets ranging from 16 mm to 50 mm are used in situations where the strongest structure is needed. These thicknesses are used in nuclear reactor parts and remote platform structures to keep corrosion from happening while still withstanding heavy mechanical loads. To get the same mechanical properties across the whole cross-section, the thicker parts need to be heated in a certain way.
Technical Considerations for Different Forms and Thicknesses
To work with different shapes and sizes of this superalloy Inconel 617 sheet, you need to know how the different dimensions affect the making process. Depending on the thickness, the material behaves very differently, which affects everything from the cutting parameters to the welding processes.
Changes in width have a big effect on how machines work. To keep them from warping, thin sheets need special fixtures and lower cutting forces, but thick plates can handle more aggressive machine parameters. From what we've seen, climb milling works best for sheets that are less than 3 mm thick, while standard milling methods with flood coolant systems work well for thicker pieces.
Welding methods have to change depending on the thickness. For example, controlling the heat input very precisely is needed for thin parts to avoid burn-through. Gas tungsten arc welding is best for sheets that are less than 5 mm thick, while gas metal arc welding is better for bigger pieces. Due to its high thermal expansion rate, this alloy needs to be carefully fixed in place, no matter how thick it is, so that it doesn't warp while it's being welded.
To make sure that properties grow evenly, heat treatment protocols are scaled up with thickness. At 1150°C, solution annealing can be done quickly on thin sheets, but it takes longer to soak thick parts and they need to be cooled at controlled rates. Our heat treatment facilities can handle pieces that are up to 50 mm thick, and the temperature stays the same within ±10°C throughout the working zone of the furnace.
Comparison with Other Superalloy Sheet Options
Comparing different superalloys is a common part of choosing a material, so it's important to know how Inconel 617 sheet properties are different from those of other materials like Inconel 625 and Haynes 230. Each alloy has its own benefits that depend on the needs of the product and the conditions of use.
Inconel 617 is better at resisting carburization than Inconel 625, which makes it better for industrial uses that will be exposed to hydrocarbons. The cobalt in 617 makes it stronger at high temperatures, and the molybdenum in 625 makes it more resistant to rust in water. Thickness options are about the same for both of these metals, though 617 usually has tighter thickness tolerances because it works better when heated.
In high-temperature applications, Haynes 230 is directly competitive with Inconel 617. It has similar oxidation protection but different thermal expansion properties. On the other hand, 617 is easier to weld in all thickness ranges, especially in parts wider than 25 mm, where Haynes 230 can crack when heated.
When it comes to cost, Inconel 617 is better than many other superalloys, especially when efficiency gains in production are taken into account. When compared to harder superalloys, 617 is easier to machine, which cuts down on processing time by about 15 to 20 percent. In most cases, this is enough to cover any changes in the cost of the raw materials.
Quality Assurance and Certification Standards
Professionals in the procurement field know that material certification such as Inconel 617 sheet is an important part of completing a job successfully. Our quality control system includes all parts of the production process, from checking the raw materials as they come in to doing the final inspection and keeping records.
Every package comes with a material test report that gives a full chemical composition analysis done with optical emission spectroscopy. Tensile testing, measuring hardness, and analyzing grain size are all examples of mechanical property checking that are done according to ASTM E8 and ASTM E112 standards. These reports have separate test results for every heat lot, which makes sure that the whole process can be traced back to the original melt chemistry.
Non-destructive testing methods depend on the thickness and the needs of the product. Ultrasonic testing finds breaks inside thick pieces, and eddy current screening finds flaws on the surface of thin sheets. Radiographic testing is an extra way to make sure that something is correct in important situations where there is no room for error.
Our AS9100D certification shows that we meet the quality standards for aerospace, and our ISO 9001 compliance makes sure that our manufacturing methods are always the same. Third-party testing services from SGS and other well-known companies offer independent confirmation when customer requirements need more proof.
Industrial Applications by Form and Thickness
Different businesses tend to use certain combinations of shape and thickness because of how they work and the materials they can use. Knowing these tastes helps make decisions about what materials to buy and how to get them.
Thin sheets (0.8 mm to 6 mm) are mostly requested by aerospace makers for combustor applications, which need to respond quickly to changes in temperature and weigh as little as possible. Manufacturers of gas turbines use sheets with a middle thickness for transition pieces and casings. For structural parts, thicker sections are used to ensure they can hold the most weight. The aircraft industry really likes our precision-cutting skills because they get rid of the need for extra machining and lower the cost of production.
When it comes to nuclear power, thick plates are best for supporting steam generator tubes and the inside of reactors. The nuclear business needs a lot of paperwork and the ability to track down materials, which is why our thorough quality assurance protocols are so useful. When using a gas-cooled reactor, helium compatibility testing is needed. Our unique testing skills give us a competitive edge in these situations.
If the purpose calls for it, petrochemical processing plants use the whole thickness spectrum. Thick sections are needed for the mechanical strength of catalyst support structures, while thin walls are best for heat transfer in heat exchanger tubes. Our ability to supply different thicknesses from the same heat lot makes it easier for big building projects to keep track of their inventory.
Conclusion
Engineers and procurement workers have a lot of options when it comes to Inconel 617 sheet because it comes in a wide range of shapes and thicknesses, from 0.5mm to 50mm. Understanding the connection between shape, thickness, and performance properties is key to choosing the right material for your project, whether it needs very thin sheets for aircraft parts or heavy-gauge plates for nuclear uses. TSM Technology is the best partner for aerospace, nuclear, and petrochemical businesses that need critical superalloys because we can make a wide range of products, have strict quality controls, and offer a lot of customization options.
FAQs
1.What is the thinnest thickness that Inconel 617 sheet can be?
Our Inconel 617 sheet is made with precise tolerances of ±0.025mm and has a minimum width of 0.5mm. This very thin gauge is great for heat exchangers and combustor plates that need to be light and respond quickly to changes in temperature. We keep tight controls on the flatness of these thin sheets to make sure they can still be worked with during the production process.
2.What are the different thickness limits that are out there?
As the size goes up, the thickness tolerances get tighter. Sheets from 0.5mm to 3mm have a tolerance of ±0.025mm, pieces from 3mm to 10mm have a tolerance of ±0.05mm, and plates up to 50mm are thicker and have a tolerance of ±0.1mm. These specs go beyond what ASTM B168 calls for and show how committed we are to making precise products.
3.Do you offer unique cutting services for certain sizes?
Of course. Laser cutting, waterjet processing, and plasma cutting with an accuracy of ±0.1mm are some of the modern cutting methods we can use. To keep material waste to a minimum, we regularly offer custom-cut sheets in non-standard sizes, complicated geometries, and multiple pieces from single sheets. Depending on how complicated the job is, lead times for custom cutting are usually between 3 and 7 days.
Partner with TSM Technology for Premium Inconel 617 Sheet Solutions
TSM Technology is the company you can trust to make Inconel 617 sheets. They have over 14 years of experience and the most up-to-date production equipment. Our three factories run eight dedicated production lines with more than 100 high-precision machines. This makes sure that the quality of your important projects stays uniform and that they are delivered on time.
We know that materials that go beyond normal requirements are needed for use in aerospace, nuclear, and petrochemical industries. Our Inconel 617 sheets work better than others because we use special thermo-mechanical methods to make the microstructure better and the properties more uniform. Our manufacturing skills allow us to meet your exact size requirements, whether you need very thin 0.5mm sheets for heat shields or strong 50mm plates for structural uses.
Quality control is still very important to us, so we test every sheet thoroughly using XRF to confirm its makeup, ultrasonic inspection, and mechanical property validation. Our certificates, such as AS9100D, ISO 9001, and AS9120, give you peace of mind for even the toughest jobs. Every shipment comes with full material traceability, which is backed up by MTRs, EN 10204 3.1 certificates, and speciality test reports.
In addition to standard products, we offer services that add value, such as precise laser cutting, custom surface treatments, and special packing for shipping goods internationally. We keep a lot of stock in a lot of different thickness ranges, so we can quickly meet pressing needs and offer competitive prices for large orders. Are you ready to find out how our high-end superalloy options can make your next project better? Get in touch with us at info@tsmnialloy.com for a customized consultation and price quote.
References
American Society for Testing and Materials. "Standard Specification for Nickel-Chromium-Cobalt-Molybdenum Alloy Sheet and Strip." ASTM B168-19, West Conshohocken, PA, 2019.
Special Metals Corporation. "Inconel Alloy 617 Technical Datasheet." Publication Number SMC-088, 2018.
Aerospace Materials Specification. "Nickel Alloy, Corrosion and Heat-Resistant, Sheet, Strip, and Plate." AMS 5884G, SAE International, 2020.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission. "Materials Engineering Branch Technical Position on Regulatory Guide for Inconel 617." NUREG-1313, Washington, DC, 2019.
International Organization for Standardization. "Heat-Resisting Steels and Alloys - Technical Delivery Conditions." ISO 4955:2005, Geneva, Switzerland, 2005.
ASM International Handbook Committee. "Properties and Selection: Stainless Steels, Tool Materials and Special-Purpose Metals." ASM Handbook Volume 3, Materials Park, OH, 2018.
