How to Identify Inconel Scrap — A Practical Guide
Published by InconelScrap.com | Updated June 2026
Correctly identifying Inconel scrap is the difference between getting $7/lb and $13/lb for the same material. This guide walks through the practical methods used by scrap dealers, plant managers, and material handlers to identify Inconel and distinguish it from stainless steel, titanium, and other nickel alloys.
What Is Inconel?
Inconel is a family of austenitic nickel-chromium superalloys developed by Special Metals Corporation (now part of Precision Castparts). The name "Inconel" is a registered trademark, but it's commonly used generically to describe nickel-chromium alloys with the following general composition:
- Nickel (Ni): 50–70%
- Chromium (Cr): 14–23%
- Iron (Fe): 2–18%
- Molybdenum (Mo): 0–10% (in some grades)
- Niobium (Nb): 0–5% (in 625 and 718)
Visual Identification
Inconel has a distinctive silver-grey appearance, similar to stainless steel but often with a slightly warmer tone. Key visual clues:
Markings: Bar and plate stock is often stamped with grade designations: "IN-625", "625", "718", "IN-718", "600", "X-750". Look for these on the end of bars or the edge of plates.
Mill tags: Original mill tags or heat stickers are the most reliable identification. These will show the alloy designation, heat number, and chemistry.
Surface finish: Inconel bar stock typically has a bright, smooth surface. Forgings and castings may have a rougher, darker oxide surface from heat treatment.
The Magnet Test
This is the fastest field test. Inconel is austenitic (face-centered cubic crystal structure) and is essentially non-magnetic in its annealed state. A strong rare-earth magnet will show:
No attraction: Likely Inconel, stainless 304/316, or other austenitic alloy.
Strong attraction: Not Inconel — likely carbon steel, ferritic stainless, or 17-4 PH stainless.
XRF Analysis — The Gold Standard
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers are the definitive tool for identifying Inconel grades. A handheld XRF gun (like a Bruker or Olympus Vanta) will identify the alloy grade in seconds by measuring the elemental composition. Key differentiators:
| Grade | Key Differentiator | XRF Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Inconel 625 | High Mo + Nb | Ni~62%, Cr~22%, Mo~9%, Nb~3.5% |
| Inconel 718 | High Nb + Fe | Ni~52%, Cr~19%, Nb~5%, Fe~18% |
| Inconel 600 | Low Mo, high Fe | Ni~76%, Cr~15%, Fe~8% |
| Inconel X-750 | Ti + Al additions | Ni~73%, Cr~15%, Fe~7%, Ti~2.5% |
Not Sure? Call Us
If you're unsure whether your material is Inconel, send us photos or a small sample. We can often identify material from photos alone. Call Sean at 954-488-0700 — we've been identifying and buying nickel superalloy scrap for over 30 years.