Inconel 718 (UNS N07718, W.Nr.2.4668) for nuclear power industry is the only precipitation-hardened nickel superalloy certified for 60-year design life in nuclear reactors. It delivers an unmatched combination of ultra-high strength, exceptional fatigue resistance and stable creep performance up to 650℃, making it the benchmark material for high-stress reactor internals, control rod drive mechanisms and primary system fasteners.
As the most widely used high-strength alloy in modern nuclear power plants, Inconel 718 exhibits excellent resistance to radiation-induced embrittlement and boric acid corrosion. With over 20 years of production experience, Emily PIPE supplies nuclear-grade Inconel 718 seamless pipes, bars and forgings manufactured via double vacuum melting (VIM+VAR) that fully comply with ASME Section III and NQA-1 quality standards.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Executive Standards | 1. International Material Standards: ASTM B637 (Bar/Rod), ASTM B670 (Seamless Pipe), ASME SB637/SB670
2. Nuclear Power Standards: ASME Section III, NQA-1, RCC-M, KTA 3201 3. Pressure Vessel Standards: ASME Section VIII Div.1 4. Testing Standards: ASTM E8, ASTM E139 (Creep), ASTM G48 (Corrosion), 100% UT/ET/Hydro test |
| Material Grade | 1. Standard Nuclear Grade: Inconel 718 (UNS N07718), solution annealed and aged
2. Premium Nuclear Grade: VIM+VAR double vacuum melted, low residual elements 3. Equivalent Grades: GH4169 (China), Nicrofer 5219 (Germany), Alloy 718 (USA) 4. Special Grades: Fastener grade, forging grade, high-purity grade for SMR applications |
| Chemical Composition (Weight %) | 1. Nickel + Cobalt (Ni+Co): 50.0-55.0 (matrix stabilization)
2. Chromium (Cr): 17.0-21.0 (oxidation and corrosion resistance) 3. Niobium + Tantalum (Nb+Ta): 4.75-5.50 (primary γ” phase strengthening) 4. Molybdenum (Mo): 2.80-3.30 (solid solution strengthening) 5. Titanium (Ti): 0.65-1.15 (γ’ phase formation) 6. Aluminum (Al): 0.20-0.80 (γ’ phase formation) 7. Iron (Fe): Balance (improves formability, reduces cost) 8. Carbon (C): ≤0.08, Sulfur (S): ≤0.015 |
| Mechanical Properties | Solution Annealed State:
1. Tensile Strength: ≥860 MPa 2. 0.2% Yield Strength: ≥415 MPa 3. Elongation (δ5): ≥30% Standard Aged State (980℃ solution + 720℃/8h + 620℃/8h): 1. Tensile Strength: 1240-1430 MPa 2. 0.2% Yield Strength: 1030-1200 MPa 3. Elongation (δ5): ≥12% High-Temperature Properties: 1. Tensile Strength (650℃): ≥620 MPa 2. Creep Rupture Strength (650℃, 10,000h): ≥70 MPa 3. Maximum Continuous Service Temperature: 650℃ |
| Dimensional Tolerance | 1. Seamless Pipes/Tubes: Ø6-50mm ±0.15mm; Ø50-150mm ±0.3mm; Wall thickness ±0.10mm
2. Bars/Rods: Ø6-50mm ±0.3mm; Ø50-300mm ±0.6mm 3. Forgings: Custom dimensions per drawing, tolerance ±0.5mm 4. Length Tolerance: ±2mm (1-12m); custom lengths up to 18m available |
| Why This Material Is Used in Nuclear Power Industry | 1. Unmatched High-Stress Performance:
– Precipitation of γ” (Ni₃Nb) and γ’ (Ni₃AlTi) phases delivers ultra-high strength – Maintains structural integrity under 155bar/320℃ primary coolant conditions – Ideal for components subjected to high tensile and compressive loads 2. Exceptional Fatigue and Creep Resistance: – 2x longer fatigue life than Inconel 625 in cyclic load applications – Excellent creep resistance for long-term service up to 650℃ – Superior stress relaxation resistance for bolted joints and fasteners 3. Superior Radiation Stability: – Low neutron absorption cross-section minimizes activation – Minimal ductility loss after 40+ years of neutron irradiation – Resists radiation-induced segregation and embrittlement 4. Excellent Corrosion Resistance: – Immune to chloride-induced SCC in high-temperature boric acid coolant – Good resistance to steam oxidation and alkaline corrosion – Withstands radioactive waste solutions containing acids and chlorides 5. Proven Nuclear Reliability: – Over 50 years of service experience in commercial nuclear reactors – Qualified for all major reactor types worldwide – Meets the strictest safety requirements for nuclear power plants |
| Application Scenarios and Corresponding Customers | 1. Reactor Pressure Vessel and Internals:
– Applications: CRDM (Control Rod Drive Mechanism) shafts, springs and sleeves; reactor vessel head penetrations; core support bolts; instrumentation housings – Customers: Westinghouse, Areva, EDF, China National Nuclear Corporation, China General Nuclear Power Group 2. Steam Generator Systems: – Applications: Tube sheet fasteners; tube support plates; divider plates; steam generator internals – Customers: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Babcock & Wilcox, Shanghai Electric, Dongfang Electric 3. Primary Coolant Pumps and Valves: – Applications: Pump shafts; impellers; valve stems; valve body forgings; seal components – Customers: Flowserve, Emerson, KSB, Sulzer 4. Advanced Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): – Applications: Compact core structures; integrated heat exchanger components; reactor vessel internals – Customers: NuScale Power, Rolls-Royce SMR, Terrestrial Energy, domestic SMR developers 5. Radioactive Waste Management: – Applications: High-level waste tank components; waste transfer piping; storage rack fasteners – Customers: Orano, Cameco, China National Nuclear Corporation |
| Customer Requirements in This Industry | 1. Performance Requirements:
– High-Temperature Strength: Must maintain sufficient strength at operating temperatures up to 650℃ – Fatigue Resistance: Must withstand cyclic thermal and mechanical loads – Creep Resistance: Must resist deformation under long-term constant stress – Radiation Resistance: Must maintain ductility after neutron irradiation – Corrosion Resistance: Must resist boric acid and chloride corrosion 2. Quality and Compliance Requirements: – Nuclear Certification: Must meet ASME Section III and NQA-1 requirements – Full Traceability: Must provide complete traceability from raw material to finished product – Double Vacuum Melting: Must use VIM+VAR process for critical components – Non-Destructive Testing: Must undergo 100% UT, ET and hydrostatic testing – Third-Party Inspection: Must allow independent inspection by authorized bodies 3. Manufacturing Requirements: – Heat Treatment Control: Must precisely control solution and aging processes – Inclusion Control: Must have strict limits on non-metallic inclusions – Surface Finish: Must provide smooth surfaces to prevent stress concentration – Customization: Must produce custom sizes and shapes per customer drawings |
| Common Related Products in This Industry | 1. Inconel 718 Seamless Pipes/Tubes: For primary coolant system instrumentation and small-bore piping
2. Inconel 718 Bars/Rods: For fasteners, shafts, valve stems and machined component blanks 3. Inconel 718 Forgings: Custom forgings including valve bodies, pump casings and flanges 4. Inconel 718 Fasteners: High-strength bolts, nuts, studs and washers for nuclear applications 5. Inconel 718 Welding Materials: ERNiFeCr-2 electrodes and wires for nuclear welding 6. Inconel 718 Sheets and Plates: For reactor internals, tank liners and structural components 7. Inconel 718 Machined Components: Precision-machined CRDM parts and valve components 8. Custom Fabricated Assemblies: Pre-fabricated piping spools and structural assemblies |
| Why Choose Us (Emily PIPE) | 1. 20+ Years of Nuclear Alloy Expertise: We have supplied Inconel 718 products to over 80 nuclear projects worldwide
2. ASME Nuclear Certified Facility: Our production line meets the strictest ASME Section III and NQA-1 standards 3. Full-Process Quality Control: We implement comprehensive quality control from melting to final inspection 4. Complete International Certifications: Our products hold ASTM, ASME, PED and nuclear certifications 5. Advanced Customization Capability: We can produce custom sizes, shapes and heat treatments per your drawings 6. Global Nuclear Supply Chain Experience: We have extensive experience delivering to nuclear sites worldwide 7. Professional Technical Support: Our metallurgical engineers provide expert material selection guidance 8. One-Stop Solution: We provide complete solutions from raw material supply to finished machined components |
| Supplementary Industry Information | 1. Comprehensive Test Reports: Each batch comes with a full MTR including chemical analysis, mechanical properties and NDT results. Creep and fatigue test reports available upon request
2. Full Material Traceability: Every product has a unique heat number and complete traceability documentation 3. Value-Added Processing: We offer precision cutting, CNC machining, heat treatment and surface finishing services 4. Emergency Response Service: We maintain strategic inventory to support urgent nuclear shutdown requirements 5. Market Growth: The global Inconel 718 market for nuclear power is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 7% through 2030, driven by SMR development and nuclear plant life extension programs 6. Sustainability Commitment: All our products are manufactured using sustainable practices and are 100% recyclable |
| Packaging | 1. Plastic Caps: All pipe/bar ends are protected with heavy-duty polyethylene caps with internal sealing rings
2. Waterproof Film: Each product is individually wrapped in waterproof and anti-corrosion film 3. Bundle Packing: Products of the same size are bundled with steel straps and wooden spacers 4. Wooden Case: Bundles are packed in sturdy fumigated wooden cases with steel reinforcement for international shipping 5. Export Standard Packing: All packaging complies with international export standards and ISPM 15 regulations 6. Marking: Each package is clearly marked with product specifications, heat number, quantity and destination |
Looking for nuclear-grade Inconel 718 pipe, bar or forging? Send us your dimensions, application requirements and nuclear standards. We will provide a customized quotation and technical data sheet promptly.