Editing Inconel (section)

==Uses==
[[File:Astra_Rocket_Engine_—_Delphin_3.0.jpg|thumb|Delphin 3.0 rocket engine, used on [[Astra Rocket]]. 3D-printed in Inconel]]
Inconel is often used in extreme environments. It is common in [[gas turbine]] blades, seals, and combustors, as well as [[turbocharger]] rotors and seals, electric submersible well pump motor shafts, high temperature fasteners, chemical processing and [[pressure vessel]]s, [[heat exchanger]] tubing, steam generators and core components in nuclear [[pressurized water reactors]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.specialmetals.com/documents/Inconel%20alloy%20625.pdf|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20090226220715/http://www.specialmetals.com/documents/Inconel%20alloy%20625.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-02-26|title=''Inconel alloy 625'', Specials Metals, 2015}}</ref> [[natural gas processing]] with contaminants such as H<sub>2</sub>S and CO<sub>2</sub>, [[firearm]] [[suppressor|sound suppressor]] blast baffles, and [[Formula One racing|Formula One]], [[NASCAR]], [[National Hot Rod Association|NHRA]], and [[Audi Performance and Racing|APR, LLC]] exhaust systems.<ref>[http://www.specialmetals.com/power.php Power Generation] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120914045808/http://www.specialmetals.com/power.php |date=2012-09-14 }}, Special Metals Corporation.</ref><ref>[http://www.specialmetals.com/chemical.php Chemical Processing] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130202213225/http://www.specialmetals.com/chemical.php |date=2013-02-02 }}, Special Metals Corporation.</ref> It is also used in the turbo system of the 3rd generation [[Mazda RX7]], and the exhaust systems of high powered [[Wankel engine]] and [[Norton_Motorcycle_Company#Wankel_engine|Norton motorcycles]] where exhaust temperatures reach more than {{Convert|1000|C|F}}.<ref>Motorcycle Trader.Norton Rotary Revival.Cathcart.Dec 2007.</ref> Inconel is increasingly used in the boilers of waste [[incineration|incinerators]].<ref>[http://www.volund.dk/content/download/531/2353/file/Inconel_eng_pdf.pdf Inconell – state-of-the-art corrosion protection] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081115001718/http://www.volund.dk/content/download/531/2353/file/Inconel_eng_pdf.pdf |date=2008-11-15 }} by Babcock & Wilcox Vølund, 2003</ref> The [[Joint European Torus]] and [[DIII-D (tokamak)|DIII-D]] tokamaks' vacuum vessels are made of Inconel.<ref>[http://www.jet.efda.org/multimedia/photo-gallery/picture-of-the-week/?pid=268 The Inconel JET vessel in use since 1983] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100227001825/http://www.jet.efda.org/multimedia/photo-gallery/picture-of-the-week/?pid=268 |date=2010-02-27 }}. A simple, sturdy structure.</ref> Inconel 718 is commonly used for [[cryogenic]] storage tanks, downhole shafts, wellhead parts,<ref>[https://www.inconel718.in/ Inconel Alloy], Inconel 718.</ref> and in the aerospace industry -- where  it has become a prime candidate material for constructing heat resistant turbines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What are the applications for Inconel 718? |url=https://www.langleyalloys.com/knowledge-advice/what-are-the-applications-for-inconel-718/ |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=Langley Alloys |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Aerospace===
* The [[Space Shuttle]] used four Inconel studs to secure the solid rocket boosters to the launch platform, eight total studs supported the entire weight of the ready to fly Shuttle system. Eight [[frangible nut]]s are encased on the outside of the solid rocket boosters, at launch explosives separated the nuts releasing the Shuttle from its launch platform.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}
* [[North American Aviation]] constructed the skin of the [[North American X-15]] [[rocket-powered aircraft]] out of Inconel X/750 alloy.<ref>Robert S. Houston, Richard P. Hallion, and Ronald G. Boston, [http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/hyperrev-x15/ch-0.html Editor's introduction, "Transiting from Air to Space: The North American X-15"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810061825/http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/hyperrev-x15/ch-0.html |date=2007-08-10 }}, ''The Hypersonic Revolution: Case Studies in the History of Hypersonic Technology'', Air Force History and Museums Program, 1998. NASA.gov.</ref>
* [[Rocketdyne]] used Inconel X-750 for the thrust chamber of the [[F-1 (rocket engine)|F-1 rocket engine]] used in the first stage of the [[Saturn V]] booster.<ref>Anthony Young, "The Saturn V Booster: Powering Apollo into History", Springer-Verlag, 2009.</ref>
* [[SpaceX]] uses Inconel (Inconel 718<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://metalpress.onlinemetals.com/inconel-uses/ |title=''History of inconel and superalloys'' |access-date=2020-10-24 |archive-date=2020-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809090854/https://metalpress.onlinemetals.com/inconel-uses/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>) in the engine manifold of their [[SpaceX Merlin|Merlin]] engine which powers the [[Falcon 9]] [[launch vehicle]].<ref name=slr20130813>{{cite web |title=Space Launch Report: SpaceX Falcon 9 Data Sheet |url=http://www.spacelaunchreport.com/falcon9.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406013726/http://www.spacelaunchreport.com/falcon9.html |archive-date=6 Apr 2022 |date=1 May 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* In a first for [[3D-printer|3D printing]], the SpaceX [[SuperDraco]] [[rocket engine]] that provides [[launch escape system]] for the [[Dragon V2]] crew-carrying [[space capsule]] is fully printed. In particular, the engine combustion chamber is printed of Inconel using a process of [[direct metal laser sintering]], and operates at very high temperature and a [[chamber pressure]] of {{convert|1000|psi|MPa|disp=flip}}.<ref name=ludiInco/><ref name=aw20140530>{{cite news |last=Norris |first=Guy |title=SpaceX Unveils 'Step Change' Dragon 'V2' |url=http://aviationweek.com/space/spacex-unveils-step-change-dragon-v2 |access-date=2014-05-30 |newspaper=Aviation Week |date=2014-05-30 |archive-date=2014-05-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531110355/http://aviationweek.com/space/spacex-unveils-step-change-dragon-v2 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=sdc20140529>{{cite news |last=Kramer|first=Miriam |title=SpaceX Unveils Dragon V2 Spaceship, a Manned Space Taxi for Astronauts — Meet Dragon V2: SpaceX's Manned Space Taxi for Astronaut Trips |url=http://www.space.com/26063-spacex-unveils-dragon-v2-manned-spaceship.html |access-date=2014-05-30 |newspaper=space.com |date=2014-05-30 }}</ref><ref name=nsf20140530>
{{cite news |last=Bergin|first=Chris |title=SpaceX lifts the lid on the Dragon V2 crew spacecraft |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/05/spacex-lifts-the-lid-dragon-v2-crew-spacecraft/ |access-date=2015-03-06 |newspaper=NASAspaceflight.com |date=2014-05-30 }}</ref><ref name=nsj20140530>{{cite news |last=Foust|first=Jeff |url=http://www.newspacejournal.com/2014/05/30/spacex-unveils-its-21st-century-spaceship/|title=SpaceX unveils its "21st century spaceship" |access-date=2015-03-06 |newspaper=NewSpace Journal |date=2014-05-30}}</ref><ref name=sx20140801>{{cite web |title=SpaceX Launches 3D-Printed Part to Space, Creates Printed Engine Chamber for Crewed Spaceflight |url=http://www.spacex.com/news/2014/07/31/spacex-launches-3d-printed-part-space-creates-printed-engine-chamber-crewed |publisher=SpaceX |access-date=2015-03-06 |quote=''Compared with a traditionally cast part, a printed [part] has superior strength, ductility, and fracture resistance, with a lower variability in materials properties. ... The chamber is regeneratively cooled and printed in Inconel, a high performance superalloy. Printing the chamber resulted in an order of magnitude reduction in lead-time compared with traditional machining – the path from the initial concept to the first hotfire was just over three months. During the hotfire test, ... the SuperDraco engine was fired in both a launch escape profile and a landing burn profile, successfully throttling between 20% and 100% thrust levels. To date the chamber has been fired more than 80 times, with more than 300 seconds of hot fire.'' |archive-date=2017-08-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825191053/http://www.spacex.com/news/2014/07/31/spacex-launches-3d-printed-part-space-creates-printed-engine-chamber-crewed |url-status=dead }}</ref><!-- this source also has an excellent-quality photo of the printed SuperDraco rocket engine combustion chamber, but I am unsure how Fair Use works and whether it might be possible to use the image on Wikipedia. -->
* SpaceX cast the [[Raptor (SpaceX)|Raptor]] rocket engine manifolds from SX300, later SX500, which are nickel superalloys (improvement over older Inconel alloys).<ref name=NBF-Raptor>[https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2019/02/spacex-casting-raptor-engine-parts-from-supersteel-alloys.html ''SpaceX Casting Raptor Engine Parts from Supersteel Alloys'' Feb 2019]</ref>

===Automotive===
* [[Tesla, Inc.|Tesla]] claims to use Inconel in place of steel in the main battery pack contactor of its [[Tesla Model S|Model S]] so that it remains springy under the heat of heavy current. Tesla claims that this allows these upgraded vehicles to safely increase the maximum pack output from 1300 to 1500 [[ampere]]s, allowing for an increase in power output (acceleration) Tesla refers to as "[[Ludicrous Mode]]".<ref name=ludiInco>{{cite web|url=http://electrek.co/2015/07/22/elon-musks-recent-ludicrous-announcement-hints-at-more-synergy-between-tesla-and-spacex/ |title=Elon Musk's recent "Ludicrous" announcement hints at more synergy between Tesla and SpaceX - Electrek|work=Electrek |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912040737/http://electrek.co/2015/07/22/elon-musks-recent-ludicrous-announcement-hints-at-more-synergy-between-tesla-and-spacex/ |archive-date=12 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/three-dog-day|title=Three Dog Day|website=www.teslamotors.com}}</ref>
* [[Ford Motor Company]] is using Inconel to make the turbine wheel in the turbocharger of its [[EcoBlue]] diesel engines introduced in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Ford EcoBlue turbodiesel engine debuts amid diesel woes |date=April 26, 2016 |publisher=Autoblog.com |url=http://www.autoblog.com/2016/04/26/ford-ecoblue-turbodiesel-engine-transit-van/}}</ref>
* The exhaust [[Poppet valve|valves]] on NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing engines are often made of Inconel.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhra.com/news/2020/piping-power-how-choose-best-headers-your-combination |title=Piping for Power: How to choose the best headers for your combination |first=Evan |last=J. Smith|date=2020-03-22 |access-date=2022-08-09 |work=[[NHRA]]}}</ref>
* [[Ford Australia]] used Inconel valves in their turbocharged [[Ford Barra engine|Barra]] engines. These valves have been proven very reliable, holding in excess of 1900 horsepower.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hKpRTrGT54 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/2hKpRTrGT54 |archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live |title=Inside a 7-second Ford Barra street car <nowiki>|</nowiki> fullBOOST |website=YouTube |date=2021-05-09}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* [[BMW]] has since used Inconel in the exhaust manifold of its high performance luxury car, the BMW M5 E34 with the S38 engine, withstanding higher temperatures and reducing backpressure.<ref>{{cite journal |first1=Abhinav |last1=Shard |author2=Deepshikha |first3=Vishal |last3=Gupta |first4=M P |last4=Garg |title=The Comprehensive Review on machining of Inconel 718 |journal=[[Journal of Physics: Conference Series |IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering]] |date=2021 |volume=1033 |issue=1 |page=012069 |doi=10.1088/1757-899X/1033/1/012069 |bibcode=2021MS&E.1033a2069S |s2cid=234133836 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
* [[Jaguar Cars]] has fit, in their [[Jaguar F-Type]] SVR high performance sports car, a new lightweight Inconel titanium exhaust system as standard which withstands higher peak temperatures, reduces backpressure and eliminates {{convert|16|kg|abbr=on}} of mass from the vehicle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jaguarusa.com/about-jaguar/news/jaguar-introduces-f-type-svr-ahead-of-geneva-debut.html|title=Jaguar Introduces Ultra-High Performance F-Type SVR ahead of Geneva Debut|website=www.jaguarusa.com|access-date=2016-06-29|archive-date=2016-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509140958/http://www.jaguarusa.com/about-jaguar/news/jaguar-introduces-f-type-svr-ahead-of-geneva-debut.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[DeLorean Motor Company (Texas)|DeLorean Motor Company]] offers Inconel replacements for failure prone OE trailing arm bolts on the [[DMC DeLorean|DMC-12]]. Failure of these bolts can result in loss of the vehicle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.delorean.com/kb/a72/trailing-arm-bolts.aspx|title=Trailing Arm Bolts|website=www.delorean.com}}</ref>

Rolled Inconel was frequently used as the recording medium by engraving in [[flight recorder|black box]] recorders on aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/5729507/the-secret-sauce-of-airplanes-black-box|title=The Secret Sauce of an Airplane's Black Box|first=Brian|last=Barrett|date=10 January 2011 }}</ref>

Alternatives to the use of Inconel in chemical applications such as scrubbers, columns, reactors, and pipes are [[Hastelloy]], [[perfluoroalkoxy]] (PFA) lined carbon steel or [[fiber reinforced plastic]].