Why Inconel 718 Is a Workhorse Alloy for Oil & Gas Applications
In the high-stakes environments of energy and oil & gas, materials are pushed to the edge — extreme temperatures, high pressures, corrosive fluids, and mechanical fatigue are the norm, not the exception. That’s why Inconel 718 has become a cornerstone alloy for mission-critical components.
At Howco Additive, we leverage the unique properties of Inconel 718 to deliver engineered AM parts that perform in the most punishing environments, from downhole tools to subsea manifolds.
Here’s why it matters — and how we make it work.
1. Why Inconel 718 Is So Effective in Harsh Environments
Inconel 718 is a nickel-based superalloy known for its exceptional strength and corrosion resistance across a wide range of operating conditions. It’s precipitation hardened, meaning its strength is derived from heat treatment — a key factor in AM applications where mechanical properties are developed post-print.
Key properties that make Inconel 718 ideal:
High tensile strength (180–200 ksi after heat treatment)
Excellent oxidation and corrosion resistance in sour gas, H₂S, and chloride environments
Thermal stability up to 700°C (1292°F) for continuous service
Good weldability and crack resistance, which is critical for powder bed fusion
These characteristics make it a go-to alloy for:
Downhole tools: mandrels, valve bodies, flow control components
Surface and subsea infrastructure: clamps, housings, manifolds
Turbomachinery: blades, seals, and impellers
2. Additive Manufacturing Enables Design Freedom and Supply Chain Agility
While Inconel 718 has been traditionally forged and machined, it’s especially well-suited for laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) due to its thermal behavior, flowability, and predictable post-processing response.
How metal AM adds value:
Part consolidation: Combine multiple parts into a single geometry to eliminate leak paths and reduce assembly time.
Internal channels and complex features: Enable conformal cooling, internal flow paths, and optimized pressure control.
Rapid response and lead time reduction: Digitally controlled production allows for on-demand builds, mitigating long lead times or outages due to casting delays.
Qualification and repeatability: With a known thermal cycle and validated powder lots, we can consistently achieve AMS 5662/5664-level properties in AM builds.
3. Howco Additive’s Qualified Workflow for Inconel 718 Parts
At our Houston, Texas facility, we’ve built a production-capable workflow specifically tuned to Inconel 718.
What we bring to the table:
Locked parameters for 30 and 60 micron layer thickness to balance resolution and throughput
Multi-laser L-PBF systems with consistent inert atmosphere (<100 ppm O₂) and tight thermal control
HIP and heat treatment coordination per ASTM F3055 and AMS 2774 to ensure mechanical performance
Machining, finishing, and inspection aligned with oilfield and aerospace expectations
Material traceability from virgin powder to final part, with full certification documentation
We’re not just printing Inconel 718 — we’re delivering field-ready components that integrate seamlessly into our customers’ operations, with engineering support, process data, and post-processing expertise every step of the way.
Final Thoughts
Inconel 718 isn’t new — but what’s changing is how fast and flexibly it can be manufactured. Additive manufacturing makes it possible to go from digital design to high-performance metal part in a matter of days, not months.
At Howco Additive, we’re enabling the next generation of energy innovation, one build at a time.