Inconel 718 vs. A286 – Jet Engine Alloys That Reduce Fuel Consumption and Emissions

Iconel 718 vs. A286

A286 is an age hardenable, iron-base alloy with high strength and excellent fabrication characteristics. A286 has a unique ability to maintain solid strength and oxidation resistance at temperatures upwards of 1500°F, making this progressive alloy a mainstay in aircraft gas turbine engines.

A286 Specifications: AMS 5731, AMS 5732, AMS 5734, AMS 5737, AMS 5853, AMS 5726, UNS S66286

Inconel 718 is a nickel-chromium alloy being precipitation hardenable and having creep-rupture strength at high temperature to about 1300°F, making it too an ideal choice for turbine engines.  It is known for its corrosion resistance, high strength and outstanding weldability.

Iconel 718 Specifications:  AMS 5589, AMS 5590, AMS 5662, AMS 5663, AMS 5664, AMS 5962

The Importance of Iconel 718 and A286 in Jet Engines

Materials are subjected to extreme conditions in jet engines, with the turbine blades having walls approximately one millimeter thick, moving at 10,000 rpm, making it imperative the alloys used to make up the turbine blades can withstand incredibly high temperatures from different gasses.

The similar characteristics of Iconel 718 and A286 allow each one to perform well in high demanding environments as that of a jet engine, which in turn allow the jet engines to be run at higher temperatures.

Running the jet engines at higher temperatures, reduces fuel consumption, and increases gas pressure, which directly lends to reducing emissions from air travel.

Both are excellent choices for aircraft turbine engines with amazing creep-rupture strengths at temperatures upwards of 700°C. The high quality weldability characteristic of Iconel 718, used as the turbine disk material in jet engines, vs. the simpler and more efficient machinability of A286 creates the biggest difference in their use within aircraft turbine engines.

A Look Deeper

The corrosion resistance of A286 is excellent, up to 1300°F, perfect for working against the many atmospheres encountered in the jet engine service.

Iconel 718 is unique in the fact it permits age hardening resulting in welding without spontaneous hardening during heating or cooling.

The iron-base alloy group, of which A286 is a part of, is easier to machine than the nickel-based hardening grades such as Iconel 718.

The melting point of Iconel 718 is 2437°F while the melting point for A286 is slightly higher 2460°F.