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Alloy Comparison

Rene 41 VS Inconel 718

Rene 41 is a nickel-based superalloy with excellent high-temperature strength, creep resistance, and oxidation resistance. It is commonly used in turbine components, combustion chambers, and other parts exposed to extreme heat.
Inconel 718 is a precipitation-hardened nickel alloy with high strength, good fatigue resistance, and excellent weldability. It is widely used in aircraft engines, gas turbines, and high-stress industrial components.

Grade A

Rene 41

UNS
N07041
Family
Rene / Nickel-Chromium-Cobalt-Molybdenum Superalloy
Common Forms
Plate, sheet, strip, bar, wire, forging

A precipitation-hardened nickel-based superalloy offering exceptional high-temperature strength, creep resistance and oxidation resistance, widely used in turbine components, combustion hardware, rocket engines and high-temperature fasteners.

View Rene 41
Grade B

Inconel 718

UNS
N07718
Family
Inconel / Nickel-Chromium-Iron Superalloy
Common Forms
Plate, sheet, strip, bar, wire, forging

A precipitation-hardenable nickel-chromium-iron superalloy combining high strength, good fatigue resistance and reliable performance at elevated temperatures, widely used in aircraft engines, gas turbines, rocket components and high-performance fasteners.

View Inconel 718
Main Comparison

Rene 41 and Inconel 718 comparison by engineering and purchasing factors

Review the key differences before confirming chemical media, product form, standard, certificate and delivery schedule.

Comparison Item Rene 41 Inconel 718 Selection Note
Basic Information
UNS Number N07041 N07718 Use the UNS number on drawings, MTCs and purchase specifications.
Alloy Type Nickel-chromium-cobalt-molybdenum superalloy Nickel-chromium-iron-niobium-molybdenum superalloy Rene 41 is optimized for high-temperature strength, while 718 combines high strength with easier fabrication.
Strengthening Method Gamma-prime precipitation hardened Primarily gamma-double-prime precipitation hardened Both alloys require controlled solution and aging treatments to develop their intended properties.
Typical Product Forms Sheet, plate, bar, wire, forgings, rings and fasteners Sheet, plate, bar, wire, forgings, rings and fasteners 718 generally has broader availability and more established commercial supply routes.
Chemical Composition
Nickel (Ni) Balance, approximately 55% 50.0-55.0% Both alloys use a nickel-rich matrix for high-temperature stability.
Chromium (Cr) 18.0-20.0% 17.0-21.0% Chromium provides oxidation and hot-corrosion resistance in both alloys.
Cobalt (Co) 10.0-12.0% 1.0% max The high cobalt content of Rene 41 supports strength and phase stability at elevated temperatures.
Molybdenum (Mo) 9.0-10.5% 2.8-3.3% Rene 41 contains more molybdenum for strong solid-solution strengthening.
Niobium + Tantalum (Nb + Ta) Not intentionally added 4.75-5.50% Niobium is the principal contributor to gamma-double-prime strengthening in 718.
Titanium (Ti) 3.0-3.3% 0.65-1.15% The higher titanium content of Rene 41 promotes strong gamma-prime precipitation.
Aluminum (Al) 1.4-1.8% 0.20-0.80% Aluminum combines with titanium to form the primary strengthening phase in Rene 41.
Iron (Fe) 5.0% max Balance 718 contains significantly more iron and is generally less alloy-intensive.
Carbon (C) 0.06-0.12% 0.08% max The higher carbon range of Rene 41 promotes carbide strengthening at grain boundaries.
Boron (B) 0.003-0.010% 0.006% max Small boron additions help improve grain-boundary strength and stress-rupture performance.
Mechanical Properties
Typical Condition Solution treated and aged Solution treated and precipitation hardened Mechanical values depend strongly on product form, section size and heat-treatment cycle.
Yield Strength, RT Approx. 1,035 MPa Approx. 1,035 MPa Both can provide high room-temperature yield strength in fully heat-treated conditions.
Tensile Strength, RT Approx. 1,400 MPa Approx. 1,275 MPa Rene 41 can provide higher tensile strength, depending on product form and heat treatment.
Elongation, RT Approx. 10-15% Approx. 12-20% 718 generally provides more consistent ductility and easier fabrication.
Creep Strength Excellent up to approximately 870°C Excellent up to approximately 650°C Rene 41 maintains useful creep strength at significantly higher temperatures.
Stress-Rupture Strength Excellent at high temperatures Excellent at intermediate temperatures Rene 41 is preferred when long-term rupture strength above the normal range of 718 is required.
Fatigue Strength Excellent at elevated temperatures Excellent at room and intermediate temperatures Use project-specific fatigue data for the actual temperature, stress ratio and design life.
Weldability Difficult; susceptible to strain-age cracking Good with established qualified procedures 718 is generally easier to weld and repair; Rene 41 requires tighter process and heat-treatment control.
Temperature Performance
Typical Strength-Limited Service Up to approximately 870°C Up to approximately 650°C Actual limits depend on applied stress, exposure time, environment and design code.
Oxidation Resistance Excellent at elevated temperatures Good to excellent at moderate elevated temperatures Rene 41 is generally better suited to prolonged exposure at higher temperatures.
Thermal Stability Excellent within its intended high-temperature range Good, but strengthening phases lose stability at higher temperatures 718 should not replace Rene 41 where sustained service substantially exceeds approximately 650°C.
High-Temperature Load Capability Superior above approximately 650°C Excellent below approximately 650°C Rene 41 provides the stronger option for highly loaded hot-section components.
Price Comparison
Relative Material Cost Higher High Rene 41 generally costs more because of its cobalt and molybdenum content and lower production volume.
Stock Availability Limited; some forms and sizes may require special production Widely available in common aerospace and industrial forms 718 is usually easier to source for urgent requirements and small quantities.
Fabrication Cost Very high High Rene 41 requires demanding machining, welding and heat-treatment controls.
Quotation Factors Form, size, quantity, heat treatment, testing, cobalt price and aerospace approvals Form, size, quantity, heat treatment, testing, machining and aerospace approvals Final pricing should be based on the actual drawing, specification, certification and delivery requirements.
Performance & Application
Primary Advantage High creep and stress-rupture strength at temperatures beyond the practical range of 718 Excellent strength, fatigue resistance, weldability and commercial availability The operating temperature and fabrication requirements are usually the decisive factors.
Corrosion Resistance Good oxidation and hot-corrosion resistance Good general corrosion and oxidation resistance Neither grade should be selected for aggressive chemical service without environment-specific corrosion data.
Machinability Difficult Difficult, but supported by well-established machining practices Rene 41 generally causes greater tool wear and requires more conservative machining parameters.
Typical Applications Gas-turbine combustion components, turbine casings, exhaust parts, afterburner components and high-temperature fasteners Turbine disks, shafts, compressor parts, aerospace fasteners, rocket components and oilfield equipment Rene 41 is used in hotter components; 718 is widely used in highly loaded intermediate-temperature parts.
Best Use Case High-load service requiring creep and rupture strength at approximately 650-870°C High-strength service up to approximately 650°C with better weldability and availability Select Rene 41 for higher-temperature capability and 718 for a more economical and fabrication-friendly solution.

Values are typical references for article comparison. Final supply should follow the ordered standard, product form, heat treatment, mill test certificate and project requirements.

Choose Choose Rene 41 when

  • High-temperature creep strength, stress-rupture resistance or oxidation resistance is the key issue.
  • The component will operate under sustained loads in turbine hot sections, afterburners or other aerospace applications.
  • You need stronger mechanical performance above the practical operating-temperature range of Inconel 718.

Choose Inconel 718 when

  • High tensile strength, fatigue resistance or reliable performance up to about 700°C is the key issue.
  • The component requires extensive welding, forming or machining for aerospace, turbine or oilfield service.
  • You need proven fabricability, broad availability and more economical production than Rene 41.

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