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Let’s talk about the scrap Inconel prices. Inconel is a nickel-chromium alloy that resists corrosion and oxidizing, has good strength, hardness, and a high melting point.
On top of all this, the metal has the ability to easily be welded without any loss in its mechanical properties.
It’s often found in both marine and heat exchanger applications, making it a very popular material among engineers.
The price of scrap Inconel can very much depend on the type of Inconel being sold.
There are two different types of this alloy that are very similar yet very different in their characteristics.
The price of a scrap Inconel can be determined based on the mill grade, purity, and the type of landing site.
How much is scrap Inconel worth?
A Nickel-chromium based alloy, Inconel is mainly used in refineries, chemical plants, thermal power plants and related industries.
It’s quite a rare alloy considering that it has a wide range of applications and its found in some pretty unique industries:
| Item Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Engine Components | Inconel is commonly used in the hot sections of aircraft engines, such as turbine blades and exhaust systems. |
| Chemical Processing Equipment | Inconel is often used in equipment that is exposed to high temperatures and corrosive environments, such as reactors, pipes, and valves. |
| Power Generation Equipment | Inconel can be found in power plant components such as gas turbines, heat exchangers, and steam generators. |
| Military and Defense Applications | Inconel is used in various military applications, including missiles, rocket motors, and submarine components. |
| Medical and Dental Implants | Inconel is used in some medical and dental implants, such as bone screws and dental implants, due to its biocompatibility and resistance to corrosion. |
The price of scrap Inconel can vary significantly based on the grade and purity of the material.
Pure grades such as Inconel 718 cost the most and will be used in industries dealing with high temperatures, corrosion and oxidizing environments.
The lighter grades of Inconel, such as Inconel 600, will have their prices determined by the mill grade and the landing site.
Generally, the current price of scrap Inconel is $2.00 to $2.75 per pound.
That said, this price isn’t fixed and can change anytime as a result of market fluctuations.
Inconel is a rare metal and prices of scrap Inconel can go up based on supply and demand.
As the industry develops and requires more of the metal, demand increases which causes prices to rise as well.
What materials can be recycled in scrap Inconel?
The metals used in Inconel are generally not valuable and were used because they were cheaper to produce than other metals with the same performance.
There are plenty of materials that can be recycled if teamed up with other scrap.
Currently, the following are some of the most common material that can be recycled in scrap Inconel:
- Inconel 600 – It’s one of the most popular grades of Inconel that is commonly used in nuclear and thermal power plants.
- Inconel 601 – This is an affordable grade of this alloy which is mostly used in industries dealing with high temperatures, corrosion and oxidizing environments.
- Inconel 718 – It’s a grade of Inconel that is used in industries dealing with high temperatures, corrosion and oxidizing environments.
- Inconel 792 – This is a non-melt processable alloy that is most commonly used in heat exchangers, pressure vessels and reactors.
- Inconel 690 – It’s another grade of this alloy that is used in a similar range of applications as Inconel 718.
- Inconel 939 – This is a hard grade of this alloy that is commonly used in applications dealing with high pressure and high temperatures.
- Inconel 625 – Its main use is for platforms, engine components and infrastructure.
How to repurpose scrap Inconel
The most common way to repurpose Inconel is to melt it down and reuse it into the same application.
With proper processing, the alloy can be melted down, recycled and then used in the same application again.
Due to its high melting point and durability, irreparable damage doesn’t occur when this metal is processed.
There’s also a way of recycling scrap Inconel into flat bars, rods and wires.
These are usually trimmings that are produced during the process of cutting this material.
With proper processes, both a solid shape as well as a wire can be produced using this alloy.
The process of reclaiming scrap Inconel is fairly easy, with some facilities offering instant cash for Inconel which makes the process even more cost-effective.
Additionally, there’s a way of separating scrap Inconel from other materials used in the process.
This can be done by utilizing technology that detects heat and high frequencies.
Scrap Inconel is then separated from the rest of the material, ensuring that only one of the components is brought to the next stage.
The Nickel and Chromium in the metal can be recovered by smelting, while the metal itself is then reused to produce the same components or other new ones.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, it’s clear that there’s an ever-growing demand for Inconel.
Since this metal is used in a variety of applications, it’s important to note that its price can vary significantly based on the application and grade.
Due to its rareness, a scrap Inconel will fetch a premium price over other metals with similar characteristics.
It’s important to explore the different ways of recycling this metal before deciding where you’d like to sell your scraps for cash.
Selling alloys such as Inconel scrap requires an ecosystem focused on value capture.
FAQs
What is the scrap value of Inconel?
The scrap value of Inconel depends on the grade of the material.
Higher grades of the alloy are valued more than those with lower grades.
You could fetch a better price for your Inconel scrap if you sell it to a refinery or mill that uses this metal.
What metals can be recycled in Inconel?
The metals used in Inconel are typically nickel and chromium based alloys.
Other than these, there are some other materials that can be put into the recycling process of this alloy.
Why is Inconel hard to cut?
Inconel alloy is a nickel-chromium based alloy that is heat treated.
As such, it has a very high melting point and it is more difficult to cut compared to other alloys.
Like any other alloys, when Inconel is processed into a form that can be reused in other applications, the melting point of the metal increases.
