Seamless rolled rings
Ring-rolled for continuous circumferential grain flow. Rectangular and profiled sections.
OD 200–4,000 mm
Wall 30–500 mm
Height ≤ 800 mm
Alloy 601 Forgings Seamless rolled rings, flanges, shafts, bars, discs and sleeves to ASTM B564
Alloy 601 is a nickel-chromium alloy with 58–63% nickel, 21–25% chromium and 1.0–1.7% aluminium that resists oxidation, carburization and thermal cycling up to about 1200 °C. Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd., an open-die forging factory in Jiangyin, Jiangsu, China, forges Alloy 601 into seamless rolled rings up to 4,000 mm outside diameter and single pieces from 20 kg to 30 tonnes, supplied solution annealed, ultrasonically tested and certified to EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2.
Material identification
Reviewed 13 Aug 2026
- UNS number
- N06601
- Werkstoff number
- 2.4851
- EN designation
- NiCr23Fe15Al
- Common trade name
- Inconel 601†
- Alloy type
- Ni–Cr–Al, solid solution
- Forging standard
- ASTM B564 / SB-564
- Supplied condition
- Solution annealed
- Max. oxidation service
- ≈ 1200 °C (2200 °F)
- Density
- 8.11 g/cm³
- Melting range
- 1360–1411 °C
- Certification
- EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2
- Minimum order
- 1 piece
What is Alloy 601?
Alloy 601 is a nickel-chromium alloy containing 58–63% nickel, 21–25% chromium and 1.0–1.7% aluminium, with iron making up the balance. The aluminium forms a tightly adherent aluminium-oxide scale on top of the chromium oxide. This second barrier is why Alloy 601 resists oxidation, carburization and repeated heating and cooling better than Alloy 600 at the same temperature. Its designations are UNS N06601 and W.Nr. 2.4851. It is solid-solution strengthened and cannot be age-hardened.
Because the alloy keeps a coherent scale in air to roughly 1200 °C, it is widely used for furnace hardware: retorts, muffles, radiant tubes, roller and basket assemblies, thermocouple protection tubes, and catalyst grid supports in nitric acid plants. It is also used in flue-gas and waste-incineration service, where stainless steels corrode rapidly.
Alloy 601 is not a high-strength alloy. Creep strength falls away above about 900 °C, so stressed components at temperature are designed against creep-rupture data rather than the oxidation limit. Alloy 601 should also not be used in strongly sulphidizing reducing atmospheres, where nickel-rich alloys form low-melting nickel sulphides.
Forged rings compared with plate or bar
For rings, flanges, discs and sleeves, a forged Alloy 601 part performs better than one machined from plate or bar. Open-die forging and ring rolling break down the cast structure, close porosity and align the grain flow with the principal stresses in the part. In a rolled ring this produces continuous circumferential grain, which gives the ring its hoop strength and its resistance to radial cracking in service.
Alloy 601 chemical composition (UNS N06601)
The specified composition of Alloy 601 is 58.0–63.0% nickel, 21.0–25.0% chromium and 1.0–1.7% aluminium, with iron as the balance (typically about 14%), plus limits of 0.10% carbon, 1.00% manganese, 0.50% silicon, 1.00% copper and 0.015% sulphur.
| Element | Symbol | Minimum % | Maximum % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel | Ni | 58.0 | 63.0 |
| Chromium | Cr | 21.0 | 25.0 |
| Aluminium | Al | 1.0 | 1.7 |
| Iron | Fe | Balance (typically ≈ 14.1) | |
| Carbon | C | — | 0.10 |
| Manganese | Mn | — | 1.00 |
| Copper | Cu | — | 1.00 |
| Silicon | Si | — | 0.50 |
| Sulphur | S | — | 0.015 |
The three highlighted elements define the alloy: nickel gives the austenitic matrix and general corrosion resistance, chromium forms the primary Cr₂O₃ scale, and aluminium forms the secondary Al₂O₃ layer that makes Alloy 601 resistant to spalling under thermal cycling.
Alloy 601 mechanical properties
In the solution-annealed condition, Alloy 601 forgings meet a minimum 0.2% yield strength of 205 N/mm², a minimum tensile strength of 550 N/mm² and a minimum elongation of 30%, tested at room temperature. Typical measured values run well above the minima, at 250–350 N/mm² yield and 620–725 N/mm² tensile.
| Property | Specified minimum | Typical |
|---|---|---|
| 0.2% yield strength, Rp0.2 | ≥ 205 N/mm² | 250–350 N/mm² |
| Tensile strength, Rm | ≥ 550 N/mm² | 620–725 N/mm² |
| Elongation, A5 | ≥ 30 % | 35–55 % |
| Hardness, Brinell | by agreement | 130–190 HB |
| Hardness, Vickers | by agreement | 135–200 HV |
| Modulus of elasticity, E | — | ≈ 206 GPa |
Physical properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 8.11 g/cm³ (0.293 lb/in³) |
| Melting range | 1360–1411 °C (2480–2571 °F) |
| Specific heat | 448 J/kg·°C |
| Thermal conductivity | 11.2 W/m·°C |
| Mean coefficient of expansion, 20–100 °C | 13.75 µm/m·°C |
| Electrical resistivity | 1.19 µΩ·m |
| Magnetic permeability at 200 oersted | 1.006 (essentially non-magnetic) |
Values are typical and are given for design guidance only. The governing product specification and the mill certificate for the actual heat take precedence. Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. can supply elevated-temperature tensile and creep data on request.
Alloy 601 equivalent designations and standards
Alloy 601 is designated UNS N06601 in North America and W.Nr. 2.4851 / NiCr23Fe15Al in Europe. It is most often ordered against ASTM B564 for forgings, ASTM B166 for bar, ASTM B167 for seamless pipe and tube, and ASTM B168 for plate. EN 10095 and VdTÜV data sheet 493 apply in Europe. "Inconel 601" is the trademarked trade name for the same chemistry.
| System | Designation |
|---|---|
| UNS (USA) | N06601 |
| Werkstoff / DIN (Germany) | 2.4851 |
| EN name | NiCr23Fe15Al |
| Common trade name | Inconel 601† |
| Generic industry name | Alloy 601 · Nicrofer 6023 H† |
| Standard | Scope |
|---|---|
| ASTM B564 / ASME SB-564 | Nickel alloy forgings, the standard used for rolled rings, flanges, discs and shafts |
| ASTM B166 / SB-166 | Rod, bar and wire |
| ASTM B167 / SB-167 | Seamless pipe and tube |
| ASTM B168 / SB-168 | Plate, sheet and strip |
| EN 10095 | Heat-resisting steels and nickel alloys, as NiCr23Fe15Al (2.4851) |
| VdTÜV WB 493 | German pressure-equipment data sheet for the grade |
| EN 10204 | Type of inspection document, 3.1 or 3.2 |
| EN 10228-3 · SEP 1921 · ASTM A388 | Ultrasonic examination procedures and acceptance classes commonly applied to forgings |
Alloy 601 vs Alloy 600, Alloy 625 and Alloy 800H
Specify Alloy 601 when the part runs hot in air or in a carburizing atmosphere, because the aluminium addition buys oxidation resistance to about 1200 °C. Specify Alloy 600 for chloride and caustic resistance at moderate temperature, Alloy 625 for aqueous and seawater corrosion with high strength, and Alloy 800H for creep strength at lower alloy cost.
| Grade | UNS | W.Nr. | Ni % | Cr % | Key addition | Chosen for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alloy 601 | N06601 | 2.4851 | 58–63 | 21–25 | Al 1.0–1.7 | Oxidation and carburization resistance to ≈1200 °C; furnace hardware |
| Alloy 600 | N06600 | 2.4816 | ≥ 72 | 14–17 | Fe 6–10 | Chloride SCC and caustic resistance; heat to ≈1095 °C |
| Alloy 625 | N06625 | 2.4856 | ≥ 58 | 20–23 | Mo 8–10, Nb 3.15–4.15 | Seawater and acid corrosion with high strength; subsea and offshore |
| Alloy 800H / 800HT | N08810 / N08811 | 1.4958 / 1.4959 | 30–35 | 19–23 | Fe ≥ 39.5, C 0.05–0.10 | Creep-rupture strength to ≈1100 °C at lower alloy cost |
For help choosing a grade, send the operating temperature, atmosphere and stress condition to sales@steelforgepieces.com and our metallurgist will comment before you release the drawing.
Alloy 601 forged products and size range
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. produces Alloy 601 in ten forged forms: seamless rolled rings, flanges, shafts, round bars, discs and blocks, sleeves and bushings, tube sheets, hollow bars, valve bodies and seat rings, and nozzles. Single-piece weight runs from 20 kg to 30 tonnes, with a minimum order of one piece.
Forged flanges
WN, SO, BL, LJ and special bores to ASME B16.5, B16.47 or EN 1092-1.
DN 15–DN 3000
Class 150–2500
Forged shafts & spindles
Stepped and plain shafts, rough turned or finish machined to drawing.
Ø 80–1,200 mm
Length ≤ 12,000 mm
Forged round bars
Peeled, rough turned or black. Cut to length, no minimum bar quantity.
Ø 60–1,000 mm
Length ≤ 8,000 mm
Forged discs & blocks
Upset discs, rectangular blocks and stepped forgings for machining.
OD ≤ 3,000 mm
Thickness 50–800 mm
Sleeves, bushings & hollow bars
Trepanned or mandrel-forged hollows, bored to size.
OD 150–2,000 mm
ID from 60 mm
Tube sheets & tube plates
For shell-and-tube heat exchangers; drilled to layout on request.
OD ≤ 3,000 mm
Thickness ≤ 600 mm
Valve bodies & seat rings
Ball, gate, globe, check and plug valve components, near-net forged.
To customer drawing
Nozzles & forged pipe
Set-in and set-on nozzles, forged cylinders and thick-wall pipe sections.
To customer drawing
Custom open-die forgings
Crankshafts, eccentric shafts, gear blanks, rolls, manifolds and one-off spares.
20 kg – 30,000 kg
MOQ 1 piece
Rough machining, finish machining, boring, drilling and grinding are carried out in-house, so parts can be shipped forged, rough turned with machining allowance, or fully finished to drawing.
How Alloy 601 forgings are manufactured
Alloy 601 forgings follow a five-stage route: melting by EAF plus AOD or VOD refining with optional ESR remelt, hot open-die forging or ring rolling between 870 °C and 1230 °C, solution annealing at 1100–1180 °C with rapid cooling, machining, then testing and certification.
- Melting and refining The billet is melted by electric arc furnace and refined by AOD or VOD to hit the 0.015% sulphur ceiling and the tight aluminium window. Electroslag remelting (ESR) is available where the specification or the section size calls for improved cleanliness and reduced segregation.
- Hot working: open-die forging and ring rolling Alloy 601 is worked between about 870 °C and 1230 °C. Heavy reduction is taken in the 1040–1230 °C range and finishing passes below 1040 °C to control grain size. Rings are upset, punched and rolled on the ring mill; shafts, discs and blocks are forged under the press with the reduction ratio recorded.
- Solution annealing Forgings are solution annealed, typically at 1100–1180 °C, held according to section thickness, then cooled rapidly. Alloy 601 is solid-solution strengthened, so there is no ageing step. A specification calling for an ageing cycle on N06601 is queried before production.
- Machining Parts are supplied as-forged, rough turned with an agreed machining allowance, or finish machined. Turning, boring, drilling, milling and grinding are done in-house.
- Testing, marking and certification Chemical analysis, tensile and hardness testing, and ultrasonic examination are carried out to the agreed procedure and acceptance class. Each piece is hard-stamped or vibro-etched with the heat number and order reference, then released with an EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 document.
Testing and certification supplied
Every Alloy 601 forging ships with an EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate as standard, or an EN 10204 3.2 certificate countersigned by TÜV, SGS, BV, Lloyd's Register or DNV on request. Standard testing covers spectrometric chemical analysis, room-temperature tensile and hardness testing, and ultrasonic examination to EN 10228-3, SEP 1921 or ASTM A388 at the acceptance class agreed at order.
Included as standard
- Chemical analysis by optical emission spectrometer, reported on the certificate
- Room-temperature tensile test: yield, tensile, elongation, reduction of area
- Brinell or Vickers hardness
- Ultrasonic examination to EN 10228-3, SEP 1921 or ASTM A388
- Dimensional check against the approved drawing
- Visual and surface examination
- Heat number and order reference marked on every piece
- EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate
Available on request
- EN 10204 3.2 certificate witnessed by a third-party inspection body
- Positive material identification (PMI) on each piece
- Elevated-temperature tensile and stress-rupture testing
- Charpy V-notch impact testing at specified temperature
- Intergranular corrosion testing to ASTM G28 method A
- Grain size and micro/macro structure examination
- Liquid penetrant (PT) surface examination
- Third-party witnessed testing, NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 review, and customer source inspection
Applications for Alloy 601 forgings
Alloy 601 forgings are used wherever metal has to survive hot, oxidizing or carburizing service: heat-treatment furnace hardware, petrochemical and refinery process equipment, nitric acid catalyst grid supports, waste incineration and flue-gas systems, thermal processing rolls and retorts, and power generation components.
| Industry | Typical Alloy 601 forged components |
|---|---|
| Heat treatment & thermal processing | Retorts, muffles, radiant tube components, roller and basket assemblies, furnace rolls, rolled rings and support rings |
| Petrochemical & refining | Reactor internals, forged flanges, nozzles, tube sheets, hangers and grid supports in reformers and crackers |
| Chemical processing | Catalyst grid supports for nitric acid production, ammonia oxidation hardware, forged discs and sleeves for reactor service |
| Pressure vessels & heat exchangers | Forged tube sheets, shell flanges, forged pipe sections and hub forgings for shell-and-tube exchangers and air receivers |
| Power generation & waste-to-energy | Incinerator components, flue-gas ducting hardware, burner and combustion-chamber parts, superheater supports |
| Valves & flow control | Forged valve bodies, seat rings, valve blocks, stems and bonnets for high-temperature ball, gate, globe and check valves |
| Rotating equipment | Forged shafts, spindles, gear blanks and sleeves for high-temperature fans, blowers and gas compressors |
| Instrumentation | Thermocouple protection tubes and forged fittings for high-temperature measurement |
Alloy 601 frequently asked questions
What is Alloy 601?
Alloy 601 is a nickel-chromium alloy containing 58–63% nickel, 21–25% chromium and 1.0–1.7% aluminium, with iron as the balance. The aluminium addition forms a tightly adherent aluminium-oxide scale, which is why Alloy 601 resists oxidation, carburization and cyclic heating up to roughly 1200 °C (2200 °F). It is designated UNS N06601 and W.Nr. 2.4851, and it is solid-solution strengthened rather than age-hardenable.
Is Alloy 601 the same as Inconel 601?
Alloy 601 and Inconel 601 are the same material, UNS N06601. INCONEL is a registered trademark of Special Metals Corporation, so mills and forge shops that are not licensed to use the trademark supply the identical chemistry under the generic name Alloy 601, or under the UNS number N06601 or the Werkstoff number 2.4851. When ordering, specify UNS N06601 plus the governing product standard to avoid ambiguity.
Which standard covers Alloy 601 forgings?
Alloy 601 forgings are normally ordered to ASTM B564 (ASME SB-564), the specification for nickel alloy forgings, which covers UNS N06601. Related product standards are ASTM B166 for rod and bar, ASTM B167 for seamless pipe and tube, and ASTM B168 for plate, sheet and strip. In Europe the alloy appears in EN 10095 as NiCr23Fe15Al, material number 2.4851, and it is covered by VdTÜV data sheet 493 for pressure applications.
What is the maximum service temperature of Alloy 601?
Alloy 601 offers useful oxidation resistance in air up to about 1200 °C (2200 °F), which is its main advantage over Alloy 600. Its practical load-bearing limit is lower, because creep strength falls away above roughly 900–1000 °C; components carrying stress at temperature are usually designed against creep-rupture data rather than the oxidation limit. Alloy 601 should not be used in strongly sulphidizing reducing atmospheres at high temperature, where nickel-rich alloys are attacked.
Is Alloy 601 age-hardenable, and what heat treatment does it receive?
No. Alloy 601 is solid-solution strengthened and cannot be strengthened by precipitation hardening or ageing, unlike Alloy 718 or Alloy X-750. Alloy 601 forgings are supplied in the solution-annealed condition, typically annealed in the range 1100–1180 °C, held according to section thickness, then cooled rapidly to preserve corrosion and oxidation resistance. Any specification calling for an ageing cycle on Alloy 601 should be queried before production.
Alloy 601 or Alloy 600: which should I specify?
Choose Alloy 601 when the part runs hot in air or in a carburizing atmosphere, for example furnace retorts, radiant tubes, muffles, thermocouple protection tubes and catalyst grid supports. Its 1.0–1.7% aluminium gives better oxidation and carburization resistance to about 1200 °C. Choose Alloy 600 (UNS N06600, W.Nr. 2.4816) when the driver is aqueous or chloride corrosion resistance and stress-corrosion cracking resistance at more moderate temperatures. Alloy 600 has higher nickel (minimum 72%) and lower chromium; Alloy 601 trades nickel for chromium and aluminium.
Can Alloy 601 be made into seamless rolled rings?
Yes. Alloy 601 is readily hot worked between about 870 °C and 1230 °C and is routinely upset, punched and ring-rolled into seamless rolled rings. Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. produces Alloy 601 seamless rolled rings from 200 mm to 4,000 mm outside diameter, with wall thickness from 30 mm to 500 mm and heights up to 800 mm. Ring rolling gives a continuous circumferential grain flow that outperforms a ring cut from plate or bar.
Who supplies Alloy 601 open-die forgings?
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. is an open-die forging factory at No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China, that manufactures Alloy 601 (UNS N06601) forgings to ASTM B564. Its Alloy 601 range covers seamless rolled rings, flanges, shafts, round bars, discs, blocks, sleeves, bushings and tube sheets, from 20 kg to 30 tonnes per piece, with a minimum order of one piece. Enquiries: sales@steelforgepieces.com or +86-189-2135-9659.
What testing and certification are supplied with Alloy 601 forgings?
Alloy 601 forgings from Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. are supplied with an EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate as standard, or an EN 10204 3.2 certificate countersigned by a third party such as TÜV, SGS, BV, Lloyd's Register or DNV on request. Standard testing covers chemical analysis by spectrometer, room-temperature tensile and hardness testing, and ultrasonic examination to EN 10228-3, SEP 1921 or ASTM A388 to the acceptance class agreed at order. Positive material identification, intergranular corrosion testing, grain size, impact testing and dimensional reports are available on request.
What is the minimum order quantity and lead time for Alloy 601 forgings?
The minimum order for Alloy 601 forgings at Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. is one piece, including single prototype and replacement parts. Typical lead time is 25 to 45 days from drawing approval, depending on billet availability, forged weight and the testing scope. To receive a quotation, send the drawing or the outside diameter, inside diameter, height or length, quantity and the required standard to sales@steelforgepieces.com.
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Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd.
Open-Die Forging Factory
No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town,
Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China
+86-189-2135-9659
sales@steelforgepieces.com
No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town,
Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China
+86-189-2135-9659
sales@steelforgepieces.com
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What we need to quote accurately
- Grade: Alloy 601 / UNS N06601, and the product standard
- Forged form: ring, flange, shaft, bar, disc, sleeve, tube sheet
- Dimensions: OD × ID × height, or diameter × length, in mm
- Quantity, and whether repeat orders are expected
- Supply condition: as forged, rough turned, or finish machined
- Testing scope: UT acceptance class, PMI, impact, IGC
- Certificate type: EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2
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About this page
This Alloy 601 datasheet is published by Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd., an open-die forging factory in Jiangyin, Jiangsu, China. Composition and property values follow ASTM B564 and published producer data for UNS N06601; capability figures describe this factory's own production range. The page was last reviewed on . Corrections and technical queries: sales@steelforgepieces.com.
This page may be quoted with attribution. Suggested citation:
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. (2026). Alloy 601 Forgings (UNS N06601) | Rings, Flanges, Shafts, Bars. Jiangyin, Jiangsu, China. https://www.steelforgepieces.com/Nickel-Alloy/ALLOY-601.html
† INCONEL is a registered trademark of Special Metals Corporation. Nicrofer is a registered trademark of VDM Metals. These names are used here only to identify equivalent chemistries; Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a licensee of either company, and supplies the material as Alloy 601 / UNS N06601.