Weld Creations provides Inconel welding for manufacturers across Southern California. We TIG weld Inconel 625, 718 and 600 with matched nickel-alloy filler metal, controlled heat input and full argon shielding, for parts that face heat, pressure and corrosion that would defeat stainless steel. Our welding is certified to AWS D17.1, the aerospace fusion welding standard, which covers nickel-based alloys.
About Inconel
Inconel® is a family of nickel-chromium superalloys known for keeping strength and resisting oxidation at high temperatures, and for resisting corrosion in harsh chemical and marine environments. They’re specified where stainless steel runs out of capability: turbine and engine components, high-temperature ducting, heat-treat fixtures, chemical processing and offshore equipment.
Common Inconel alloys and fillers
| Alloy | UNS | Typical filler (GTAW, AWS A5.14) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inconel 625 | N06625 | ERNiCrMo-3 | Corrosion resistance and strength; chemical, marine and aerospace parts |
| Inconel 718 | N07718 | ERNiFeCr-2 | High strength to high temperature; aerospace and turbine components |
| Inconel 600 | N06600 | ERNiCr-3 | Oxidation resistance; heat-treat and furnace components |
ERNiCrMo-3 is also a common choice for dissimilar joints between nickel alloys, stainless steel and carbon steel. We confirm filler selection against your drawing or specification before welding.
How we weld Inconel
Cleanliness first. Nickel alloys are sensitive to contamination. Sulfur, lead, phosphorus and other low-melting elements from oils, marking crayons, cutting fluids and shop dirt can cause cracking. We degrease joints and remove markings, and we use stainless-only brushes and abrasives reserved for nickel-alloy work.
Joint design for a sluggish pool. Inconel’s weld pool doesn’t flow like stainless. Joints typically use wider bevel angles and adequate root openings so the welder can place filler where it’s needed and achieve full fusion.
Controlled heat input. We use stringer beads with limited weave and control interpass temperature per the procedure. Excess heat input increases the risk of hot cracking and degrades properties in the weld and heat-affected zone.
Full argon shielding. Oxides on nickel alloys don’t self-clean, so the root side is back purged with argon on closed sections and full-penetration joints.
Heat treatment sequence for 718. Inconel 718 is precipitation hardening. It is normally welded in the solution-annealed condition and then aged to reach full strength, following the heat-treatment sequence on your drawing. Heat treatment is arranged through our partner network when required.
Inconel and Hastelloy
Inconel and Hastelloy are both nickel-based alloys welded with similar discipline. The difference is in the service: Inconel alloys are generally chosen for high-temperature strength and oxidation resistance, and Hastelloy C-series alloys for extreme chemical corrosion. We weld both. If you’re choosing between them, your engineer should decide based on service conditions. We can help with the welding side of that decision.
Applications
- Aerospace. Brackets, ducting, housings and high-temperature components. See aerospace welding.
- Heat-treat and furnace equipment. Fixtures, baskets, retorts and components that live at temperature.
- Chemical and process equipment. Wetted parts and components in corrosive service.
- Repair and modification. Adding features to, or rebuilding sections of, existing Inconel parts.
Designing Inconel weldments
Nickel alloys reward designs that make welding easier:
- Open up the joint. Wider bevels and root openings than you’d use on stainless help the sluggish pool fuse completely.
- Plan for purging. Closed sections and full-penetration joints need a path for argon purge gas.
- Account for heat treatment. For 718, note the heat-treatment sequence and any machining allowances needed after aging.
- Specify inspection clearly. Nickel-alloy welds in critical service often call for penetrant or radiographic inspection. Put it on the drawing so it’s in the quote.
- Keep dissimilar joints deliberate. Where Inconel meets stainless or carbon steel, specify the filler or ask us to recommend one for your engineer’s approval.
Material sourcing
We can source Inconel plate, sheet, bar and tube, along with matched filler metal, with mill test reports, or weld material you supply. Either way, heat numbers stay traceable through fabrication.
Why Weld Creations
Nickel alloys demand precise heat control and clean shielding, which is the core of our TIG welding. We’re AWS D17.1 certified, and we bring aerospace discipline to every exotic-alloy job, from a single prototype to a production run. Machining, heat treatment and additional inspection are available through our partner network. See our capabilities.
Request an Inconel welding quote
Send the drawing, alloy, thickness, quantity, heat-treatment and inspection requirements, and your timeline. We reply within one business day.
INCONEL® is a registered trademark of Special Metals Corporation. Weld Creations is not affiliated with Special Metals Corporation.