What are the most common Inconel alloys?

Inconel 718 is the most common, used for aerospace and oil and gas. Inconel 625 is used for higher temperature applications and chemical processing. Inconel 600 is used for high-temperature furnace and oxidation-resistant applications.

What cutting strategies are recommended for Inconel?

Low surface speeds (30-60 m/min), heavy radial engagement, positive rake angles, high-pressure coolant (70 bar) with through-tool delivery, and advanced toolpath strategies. Avoid light cuts that rub and work-harden the surface.

What tooling is recommended for Inconel?

AlTiN-coated carbide tooling with sharp edges, variable helix end mills for milling, and positive geometry inserts for turning. Micro-grain carbide substrates are preferred for wear resistance.

What tolerances can Inconel machining achieve?

Standard work holds ±0.02-0.05mm. Precision work holds ±0.01mm. Tighter tolerances require careful thermal management and stress-relief heat treatment.

What industries use Inconel CNC machining?

Aerospace, oil and gas, power generation, nuclear, chemical processing, and automotive high-performance applications. Inconel is specified where high temperature, corrosion resistance, or strength eliminates other materials.

CNC Inconel

CNC Inconel machining is the precision processing of nickel-chromium superalloys using computer-controlled cutting tools. Inconel is a family of austenitic nickel-based superalloys known for exceptional high-temperature strength, corrosion resistance, and oxidation resistance—maintaining structural integrity at temperatures up to 980°C. The most commonly machined alloys are Inconel 718, Inconel 625, and Inconel 600.

Inconel is among the most difficult materials to machine due to extreme work hardening, high cutting forces, low thermal conductivity (concentrating heat at the cutting edge), high chemical reactivity, and abrasive nature from carbide precipitates. Specialized machining strategies are required: low surface speeds (30-60 m/min), heavy radial engagement (15-25% of cutter diameter), high-pressure coolant (70 bar), and advanced toolpath strategies. Tolerances are held to ±0.02-0.05mm standard.

Our CNC Machining Services

From prototype to production — reliable quality, on-time delivery

We provide precision CNC machining services for a wide range of materials including aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, brass, titanium, PEEK, PTFE, acetal, nylon, and other engineering plastics. Our manufacturing capabilities cover 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis CNC milling, as well as CNC turning, suitable for both prototype development and high-volume production runs.

With ISO 9001:2015 certification and a commitment to quality, we serve customers across aerospace, automotive, medical, electronics, industrial equipment, and consumer goods industries. Our in-house capabilities include surface finishing, anodizing, powder coating, heat treatment, and inspection with CMM and optical measurement equipment.

We offer competitive pricing, flexible lead times, and full material traceability. From simple brackets to complex precision components, we deliver parts that meet your specifications with reliable quality and on-time delivery.

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Materials

Aluminum 5083-H111

Aluminum 5083-H111 | 3.3547 | 54300| AlMg4.5Mn0.7

Aluminum 5083 (CNC) is a strain hardening aluminum alloy with excellent corrosion resistance. Suitable for marine applications. Can be welded.

Understand Aluminum 5083-H111

Aluminum 6063

Aluminum 6063 | EN AW-6063 | 62400| AlMg0,7Si

Aluminum 6063 has good mechanical properties and can be heat treated. Suitable for aerospace applications. Can be welded.

Understand Aluminum 6063

Aluminum 5052

Aluminum 5052 | EN AW-5052 | 3.3523 | AlMg2,5

Aluminum 5052 is a strain hardening aluminum alloy with excellent corrosion resistance. Suitable for marine applications. Can be welded.

Understand Aluminum 5052

Aluminum 2024-T351

Aluminum 2024-T351 | 3.1355 | 24530 | AlCu4Mg1

Aluminum 2024 is a high-strength alloy with excellent fatigue resistance. Suitable for aerospace applications.

Understand Aluminum 2024-T351

Aluminum 7050

Aluminum 7050 | EN AW-7050 | 3.4144| AlZn6CuMgZr

Aluminum 7050 has excellent mechanical properties with good ductility, high strength, toughness and good resistance to fatigue. Suitable for aerospace applications.

Understand Aluminum 7050

Aluminum MIC-6

Aluminum MIC6

Aluminum MIC6 is a light weight material that can be easily machined at high speed and is free from tension, contaminants and porosity.

Understand Aluminum MIC-6

Aluminum 6082-T651

Aluminum 6082-T651 | 3.2315 | 64430 | AlSi1MgMn

Aluminum 6082-T651 (CNC) has very similar composition and properties to 6061, with slightly higher tensile strength. Compliant with British Standards.

Understand Aluminum 6082-T651

Aluminum 2017A

Aluminum 2017A | 3.1325 | 24530 | AlCu4MgSi

Aluminum 2017 has a higher ductility and formability than Aluminum 2014 and has intermediate strength.

Understand Aluminum 2017A

Aluminum 7075-T651

Aluminum 7075-T651 | 3.4365 | 76528 | AlZn5.5MgCu

Aluminum 7075-T651(CNC) is an aerospace-grade material with excellent strength-to-weight ratio and strength and hardness comparable to steels. T651 is the temper of Aluminum 7075, and to achieve this temper, the alloy is solution heat-treated, stress relieved, and then artificially aged.

Understand Aluminum 7075-T651

Aluminum 2014

Aluminum 2014 | 3.1255 | 24345 | AlCu4SiMg

Aluminum 2014 is easily machined and can be hardened to get strengths comparable to steel, but is prone to corrosion. Suitable for aerospace applications.

Understand Aluminum 2014

Aluminum 6061-T651

Aluminum 6061-T651 | 3.3211 | 65028 | AlMg1SiCu

Aluminum 6061-T651 is commonly used in aerospace, automotive and construction industry, as it is valued for its high strength, excellent machinability, and good weldability. The "T651" designation indicates that the material has been heat-treated to a specific level of hardness.

Understand Aluminum 6061-T651

Aluminum 7075-T7351

Aluminum 7075-T7351 | 3.4365 | 76528 | AlZn5.5MgCu

Aluminum 7075-T7351 is commonly used in aerospace and defense applications, as well as automotive and transportation, as it is valued for its high strength, excellent machinability and good fatigue resistance. The "T7351" designation indicates that the material has been heat-treated to a specific level of hardness.

Understand Aluminum 7075-T7351

Aluminum 6061-T6

Aluminum 6061-T6 | 3.3211| 65028| AlMg1SiCu

Aluminum 6061 (CNC) is the most popular aluminum alloy. It has good strength-to-weight ratio, excellent machinability and natural corrosion resistance.

Understand Aluminum 6061-T6

Aluminum 6082

Aluminum 6082 | 3.2315 | 64430| AlSi1MgMn

Aluminum 6082 (CNC) has very similar composition and properties to 6061, with slightly higher tensile strength. Compliant with British Standards.

Understand Aluminum 6082

Aluminum 6060

Aluminum 6060 | 3.3206 | AlMgSi

Alloy 6060 offers good strength, relatively good corrosion resistance and is suitable for decorative anodizing.

Understand Aluminum 6060

Aluminum 7075-T6

Aluminum 7075-T6 | 3.4365 | 76528 | AlZn5,5MgCu

Aluminum 7075-T6 (CNC) is an aerospace-grade material with excellent strength-to-weight ratio and strength and hardness comparable to steels.

Understand Aluminum 7075-T6

Applications

Aerospace

Gas turbine engine components
Combustion chambers and casings
Turbine blades and discs
Exhaust nozzles and thrust reversers
Engine mounts and structural fasteners

Oil & Gas

Downhole tools and drill components
Wellhead and valve assemblies
Subsea connectors and fittings
High-temperature fasteners

Power Generation

Gas turbine components
Heat exchangers and boiler tubes
Nuclear reactor components
High-temperature valve bodies

Automotive

Exhaust valves and turbocharger components
Motorsport engine parts
High-temperature sensor housings

Chemical Processing

Reactor vessels and components
Corrosion-resistant pump parts
Heat exchanger tubes and fittings
Valve and manifold bodies

Capabilities

We specialize in CNC machining of Inconel alloys 718, 625, and 600. Our 5-axis machining centers are equipped with high-pressure through-spindle coolant and specialized AlTiN-coated carbide tooling. We implement low surface speeds (30-60 m/min), heavy radial engagement, and advanced toolpath strategies for work-hardening materials. Tolerances held to ±0.02-0.05mm standard. ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified. ITAR compliant.

Finishes

As-Machined

Standard finish for Inconel parts
Ra 1.6 – 3.2μm typical
Functional surfaces

Grinding

Precision surface finish
Used for bearing surfaces and seals
Ra 0.2 – 0.8μm

Polishing

High-gloss finish
Used for turbine components and seals
Ra 0.4μm achievable

Bead Blasting

Uniform matte texture
Used for surface preparation
Industrial appearance

Passivation

Chemical treatment for corrosion resistance
Removes surface contamination
Standard for aerospace parts

Heat Treatment

Stress relief after machining
Solution annealing
Precipitation hardening (718)

Technical Specs

Property	Inconel 718	Inconel 625	Inconel 600
Tensile Strength (MPa)	1,270	830	620
Yield Strength (MPa)	1,030	490	340
Elongation at Break (%)	12	30	45
Hardness (HRC)	36-40	20-25	15-20
Density (g/cm³)	8.19	8.44	8.47
Max Service Temp (°C)	700	980	1,100
Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K)	11.4	9.8	14.8
Oxidation Resistance	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent

Parameter	Capability
Max Part Size (Milling)	2,000mm x 800mm x 600mm
Max Part Size (Turning)	600mm diameter x 1,500mm length
Standard Tolerance	±0.02 – 0.05mm
Precision Tolerance	±0.01mm
Surface Finish (As-Machined)	Ra 1.6 – 3.2μm
Surface Finish (Ground)	Ra 0.2 – 0.8μm

FAQs

Why is Inconel difficult to machine?

Inconel causes extreme work hardening, high cutting forces, low thermal conductivity concentrating heat at the cutting edge, high chemical reactivity, and abrasive nature from carbide precipitates. It requires specialized tooling, low speeds, and advanced cooling.
What are the most common Inconel alloys?

Inconel 718 is the most common, used for aerospace and oil and gas. Inconel 625 is used for higher temperature applications and chemical processing. Inconel 600 is used for high-temperature furnace and oxidation-resistant applications.
What cutting strategies are recommended for Inconel?

Low surface speeds (30-60 m/min), heavy radial engagement, positive rake angles, high-pressure coolant (70 bar) with through-tool delivery, and advanced toolpath strategies. Avoid light cuts that rub and work-harden the surface.
What tooling is recommended for Inconel?

AlTiN-coated carbide tooling with sharp edges, variable helix end mills for milling, and positive geometry inserts for turning. Micro-grain carbide substrates are preferred for wear resistance.
What tolerances can Inconel machining achieve?

Standard work holds ±0.02-0.05mm. Precision work holds ±0.01mm. Tighter tolerances require careful thermal management and stress-relief heat treatment.
What industries use Inconel CNC machining?

Aerospace, oil and gas, power generation, nuclear, chemical processing, and automotive high-performance applications. Inconel is specified where high temperature, corrosion resistance, or strength eliminates other materials.