Haynes Alloys vs Inconel vs Hastelloy — Which Superalloy Should You Choose in 2025?

Haynes®, Inconel®, and Hastelloy® are three of the most important and widely used superalloy families in modern engineering. They are designed for extreme industrial environments involving:

High temperature
High stress
Oxidizing gases
Acidic corrosive media
Thermal cycling
Pressure fluctuations

But although they belong to the same high-performance category, their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal applications are very different.

In 2025, choosing the right alloy family is crucial for preventing corrosion, increasing equipment life, and ensuring safe, uninterrupted operation.

This guide compares all three superalloy families in detail.

What are Haynes, Inconel, and Hastelloy?

Haynes Alloys: High-temperature nickel & cobalt alloys engineered for oxidation, thermal stability, creep resistance.
Inconel Alloys: Nickel-chromium alloys designed for heat resistance + mechanical strength.
Hastelloy Alloys: Nickel-molybdenum & nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloys engineered for extreme corrosion environments.

Chemical Composition Differences

Alloy Family	Base	Key Elements	Strength
Haynes	Ni/Co	Cr, W, Mo, Al	High at temperature
Inconel	Ni	Cr, Fe, Nb, Mo	High strength, oxidation resistance
Hastelloy	Ni	Mo, Cr, Fe	Best chemical corrosion resistance

Summary:

Haynes = Best for long-term high temperatures
Inconel = Best for high strength + oxidation
Hastelloy = Best chemical corrosion resistance

High Temperature Performance

Alloy Family	Max Temperature	Performance Notes
Haynes	1150°C	Best for continuous heat
Inconel	1100°C	Great short-term heat resistance
Hastelloy	1000°C	Designed for chemicals, not extreme heat

Winner → Haynes Alloys

Oxidation Resistance Comparison

Haynes Alloys: 188 & 230 offer top-tier oxidation resistance, maintain oxide integrity at 1000–1150°C.
Inconel: 601 & 625 perform well in oxidizing atmospheres; good for moderate temperature oxidation.
Hastelloy: Moderate oxidation resistance; not designed for long-term high heat.

Winner → Haynes Alloys

Corrosion Resistance Comparison – Hastelloy Dominates

Hastelloy: Best in acids (HCl, H₂SO₄, HNO₃), chlorides, reducing agents, oxidizing salt solutions, corrosive chemical streams. C276 & C22 are world leaders.
Inconel: Moderate corrosion resistance; used in chemical plants but not as strong as Hastelloy.
Haynes: Designed for heat, not chemical attack (except some grades like 625).

Winner → Hastelloy

Mechanical Strength Comparison

Alloy Family	Room Temp Strength	High Temp Strength
Inconel	Highest	Excellent
Haynes	High	Best at high temps
Hastelloy	Medium–High	Medium

Summary:

Inconel = highest mechanical strength overall
Haynes = strongest at >900°C
Hastelloy = good but focused on corrosion resistance

Creep Resistance (Critical for Turbines)

Haynes 263 & 230 → Best creep resistance
Inconel 718 → Excellent but limited to ~700°C
Hastelloy → Not optimized for creep

Winner → Haynes

Industrial Applications Comparison

Aerospace & Turbines

Winner → Haynes (188, 230, 263); Inconel 718/625 also used; Hastelloy rarely used.

Chemical Processing

Winner → Hastelloy (C276, C22, B3); Inconel secondary; Haynes used if heat + chemicals combine.

Heat-Treatment Furnaces

Winner → Haynes 230 & 214; Inconel 600/601 used; Hastelloy not suitable.

Oil & Gas

Inconel 718/625 → Downhole tools; Haynes 188 & 263 → High heat + non-magnetic; Hastelloy → Sour gas/acidic media.

Marine Applications

Inconel → Good; Hastelloy C-series → Best anti-corrosion; Haynes → Rarely used.

Cost Comparison (2025 Market)

Alloy	Cost	Reason
Haynes	Very High	Cobalt/W content
Hastelloy	High	High Mo content
Inconel	Medium–High	Nickel + specialty additions

Most cost-effective → Inconel

Which Alloy Family Should YOU Choose?

Choose Haynes when: Temperature > 950°C, oxidation/carburation expected, aerospace & turbines, heat-treatment furnaces.
Choose Inconel when: Need strong + weldable + heat resistant alloy, structural strength matters, downhole tools & aerospace hardware.
Choose Hastelloy when: Strong acids & chemicals, corrosive industrial media, high-pressure acid gas systems.

Final Master Comparison Table

Feature	Haynes	Inconel	Hastelloy
Max Temp	1150°C	1100°C	1000°C
Oxidation	Best	Very Good	Moderate
Corrosion	Medium	Good	Best
Mechanical Strength	High	Highest	Medium–High
Creep Resistance	Best	Good	Medium
Cost	Very High	Medium–High	High

FAQ's

Which alloy is best for high-temperature furnaces?

Haynes 230 or Haynes 214.

Which alloy handles acids the best?

Hastelloy C276/C22.

Which is the strongest superalloy?

Inconel 718 has the highest mechanical strength.

Which alloy lasts longest above 1000°C?

Haynes 230.

Is Haynes better than Inconel?

For high-temperature oxidation and creep resistance → Yes For general high-strength engineering → Inconel often wins For acidic environments → Hastelloy is superior

At Moksh Tubes & Fittings LLP, we’re dedicated to making your purchases seamless — offering expert advice, a wide inventory of certified products, and global support for every order, large or small.

Get in Touch