Inconel,monel and 316

R

redneckswami

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Mar 31, 2008
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I've been doing some scrounging for steel at my local scrapyard (building a grinder and a power hammer:D). The scrapyard guy has some alloys - Inconel and Monel - in addition to a lot of 316 stainless in 1" thick plates. Would Inconel and Monel be useful for guards and fittings? How 'bout the 316 stainless? I know nothing about these alloys, except that Inconel has a very high nickel content. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
 
Inconel is a high temp alloy, I know someone that used it for a firebox in a little live steamer. He said it was difficult to machine.

I think monel is another high temp alloy but I'm not sure.

I forget why but 316 is more expensive than 304 stainless. I think it's stronger, I'm not sure if it machines the same but 304 can be tricky if you are used to machining carbon steels or chrome-moly. Stainless splinters hurt like hell.
 
Inconel is supposed to resist flux well. It's sometimes used to line the
bottoms of forges.

Monel is used for salt water turbines...cargo ships, subs etc.

316 works well for building salt pots...
 
316 is more expensive since it has 2 % Mo for added corrosion resistance.Monel is for salt water corrosion resistance and IIRC I had a hard time drilling it as it work hardens very easily.Inconel ,there are more than one, is for high temperature . I have two pieces of plate but never figured out what to do with it !!
 
I have worked with monel and 316, both difficult to machine and drill but doable if plenty of lubricant is used.

Both polish well and resist corrosion more than nickle silver.

Monel has skyrocketed in price lately so I have switched to 416 and 316 for bolsters and guards.

George
 
That's interesting information - especially the corrosion resistant part. This scrapyard happens to be next door to one of the shipyards here in Mobile, AL. Russ - I'm building a couple of new forges, and I think I'll try lining the bottom of one with a piece of Inconel. Thanks for the info., ya'll.
 
i would aviod inconel. i hate it, worst materal i ever worked with. all it does is eat drill bits and carbide inserts. i have to cut inconel where i work sometimes, what would take me 20mins to do on 4140 it takes about 3 hours to do on inconel. i've read that it cuts best with ceramic tooling at high speeds, no interupted cuts and no coolant
 
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