Inconel 718 Machining

Inconel 718 is a discipline problem, not a horsepower problem. The shops that run it weekly know why. The shops that don't, learn on your part.

Where 718 belongs

High-pressure, high-temperature, chloride-exposed, or cyclically-loaded environments. Frac pump valve internals, wellhead sealing components, downhole tool bodies, aerospace bracketry, defense actuator parts, cryogenic and hot-section aerospace fittings.

Aged vs solution-treated — spec it

718 in solution-annealed condition machines almost like a well-behaved stainless. In aged condition (H900-ish, roughly 40-45 HRC) it's a different alloy: harder, tougher, and less forgiving of setup errors. Any shop quoting 718 without asking which condition doesn't know the alloy. We do.

How we run it

Sharp coated carbide (AlTiN or similar). Positive rake. Feed aggressive enough to keep the cutting edge below the work-hardened layer. Flood high-pressure coolant. Turning: 80-120 SFM for aged, higher for annealed. Milling: same discipline, different geometry. We keep inserts fresh — 718 punishes tired edges harder than any other alloy in the shop.

Frequently asked questions

What Inconel 718 condition can you machine?

All of them. Aged (H900 through H1150), solution-annealed, and customer-supplied heat-treat conditions. We ask which condition you need before we quote.

What tolerances can you hold on 718?

±0.0005" routine on critical features. Tighter on the right feature with the right fixture. Every critical dimension CMM-verified.

Do you machine other nickel-based superalloys too?

Yes — Inconel 625, Hastelloy C-276, Waspaloy, A286, Monel. Same discipline, similar tooling strategy.