Monel and Inconel are both nickel alloys, with Monel containing about 60%-70% nickel, and Inconel containing about 50%-70% nickel. In addition to nickel (Ni), both Monel and Inconel alloys contain various minor elements that give them different performance characteristics, such as high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, strength, and hardness.
Monel alloys (especially Monel 400 and Monel K-500) mainly contain copper as a secondary element, enhancing their corrosion resistance, particularly in seawater and acidic environments. They also contain titanium and aluminum to improve strength.
Inconel alloys, on the other hand, primarily contain chromium, molybdenum, titanium, aluminum, and niobium as secondary elements, which significantly improve their high-temperature corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance, and high-strength properties.
Inconel Alloys are Generally More Expensive Than Monel Alloys.
Monel alloys are typically lower in cost, especially in basic grades like Monel 400. This is because copper is generally less expensive than some other metals, and its production process is simpler with relatively low raw material costs.
| Element | Nickel (Ni) | Copper (Cu) | Iron (Fe) | Manganese (Mn) | Silicon (Si) | Sulfur (S) | Phosphorus (P) | Aluminum (Al) | Titanium (Ti) |
| Monel 400 (UNS N04400) | ≥ 63% | 28-34% | ≤ 2.5% | ≤ 2.0% | ≤ 0.5% | ≤ 0.024% | ≤ 0.04% | – | – |
| Monel K-500 (UNS N05500) | ≥ 63% | 27-33% | ≤ 2.5% | ≤ 1.5% | ≤ 0.5% | ≤ 0.02% | ≤ 0.04% | 2.3-3.15% | 0.35-0.85% |
In contrast, Inconel alloys, particularly high-performance ones like Inconel 625 and Inconel 718, are more expensive because they contain more costly elements, which are more expensive than copper.
| Element | Nickel (Ni) | Chromium (Cr) | Iron (Fe) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Manganese (Mn) | Silicon (Si) | Titanium (Ti) | Aluminum (Al) | Carbon (C) | Sulfur (S) | Phosphorus (P) |
| Inconel 600 (UNS N06600) | 72.0-75.0% | 14.0-17.0% | ≤ 6.0% | – | ≤ 1.0% | ≤ 0.5% | – | – | ≤ 0.15% | ≤ 0.015% | ≤ 0.015% |
| Inconel 625 (UNS N06625) | 58.0-63.0% | 20.0-23.0% | ≤ 5.0% | 8.0-10.0% | ≤ 0.5% | ≤ 0.5% | ≤ 0.4% | – | ≤ 0.10% | ≤ 0.015% | ≤ 0.015% |
| Inconel 718 (UNS N07718) | 50.0-55.0% | 17.0-21.0% | ≤ 5.0% | 2.8-3.3% | 0.35-1.15% | ≤ 0.35% | 0.65-1.15% | 0.2-0.8% | ≤ 0.08% | ≤ 0.015% | ≤ 0.015% |
Difference in Corrosion Resistance between Inconel and Monel
nconel is more suitable for corrosion resistance in high-temperature environments, while Monel excels in corrosion resistance in seawater and acidic environments.
Inconel alloys (such as Inconel 625 and Inconel 718) are known for their excellent corrosion resistance in high-temperature and harsh environments, particularly for resistance to oxidation, acids, alkalis, and chlorides. They are mainly used in high-temperature, high-pressure, and highly corrosive environments such as chemical, , and high-temperature gas applications.
Monel (such as Monel 400), primarily composed of nickel and copper, exhibits excellent resistance to seawater corrosion, making it especially suitable for marine environments. Monel also performs well in acidic environments, but compared to Inconel, its high-temperature performance is lower. Monel alloys have lower strength and corrosion resistance in high-temperature environments and are mainly applied in lower temperature, seawater, and acidic media environments.
Physical Properties of Monel VS Inconel
| Property | Monel | Inconel |
| Density | 8.8 – 8.9 g/cm³ | 8.7 – 8.9 g/cm³ |
| Tensile Strength | Approx. 70,000 psi (480 MPa) | Approx. 130,000 psi (900 MPa) |
| Yield Strength | Approx. 30,000 psi (210 MPa) | Approx. 75,000 psi (520 MPa) |
| Hardness | Moderate hardness | High hardness, especially at high temperatures |
| High-Temperature Performance | Maximum operating temperature around 315°C (600°F) | Maximum operating temperature up to 1,000°C (1,800°F) |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent, especially in seawater and acidic environments | Excellent, suitable for high-temperature, oxidation, and chloride environments |
| Electrical Conductivity | Good, suitable for electrical applications | Poor, mainly used for high-temperature and corrosion-resistant applications |
| Thermal Conductivity | Good | Poor, suitable for high-temperature environments |
For more information about Monel and Inconel, please contact SSM. We provide product and technical service support.
Monel Alloy: Composition, Properties, and Key Applications
Inconel
EN 
DE 
RU 
FA 
ID 
ES 
FR 
NL