Hi-Tech Manufacturing, LLC -
We Are Experts at Machining Nickel-base Alloys

Hi-Tech Manufacturing takes great pride in our expertise at machining Nickel-base alloys (e.g., Inconel® alloys – an industry trade name)!

We have a rich history in making components from Nickel-base alloys (e.g., Inconel®). 

From small to large components, short run prototypes to long run production orders, we have the experience to machine your Nickel-base alloy component to your exacting requirements.

Technical Data

Nickel-base alloys are typically used in extreme environment applications where a combination of strength, corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance material characteristics are required.  Depending on the alloy choice, surface temperatures range from cyogenic to temperatures as high as 1800 F.   Nickel-base alloys are commonly used in the energy sector due to its high-strength and corrosion resistance. They are also used in aerospace components such as gas turbine blades, seals and combustors, as well as turbocharger rotors.  Other examples of products made from Nickel-base alloys are high temperature fasteners, chemical processing and pressure vessels, heat exchanger tubing and steam generators used in nuclear pressurized water reactors.

Machining

The machining of Nickel-base alloys can be difficult using traditional techniques as they easily harden during machining.  The high pressures developed between the tool and the workpiece during machining produce a stressed layer of deformed metal on the surface of the workpiece.  This deformation causes a hardening effect on the surface of the workpiece that slows down further machining.  For this reason, age-hardened Nickel-base alloys, such as alloy 718, are machined using an aggressive but slow cut with a hard tool that minimizes the number of passes required.  Alternatively, the majority of the machining can be achieved with the workpiece in the solution annealed condition with only the final machining steps performed after the workpiece has been allowed to stabilize or be relieved of induced stresses from machining.

To improve efficiencies, Hi-Tech Manufacturing has started using the latest in cutting technologies.  New reinforced ceramic cutters can be used to machine Nickel-base alloys such as Inconel®.  The ceramic cutters remove material at a rate typically 8 times faster than carbide cutters.

We Work With All Grades of Inconel®

A sample of the Nickel-base alloys we work with:

• Inconel 718 Nickel-chromium UNS N07718; solution annealed and aged condition
  
• Inconel 600I Nickel-chromium-iron UNS N06600; solution annealed
  
• Inconel 625 Nickel-chromium UNS N06625; solution annealed