Inconel 718 (UNS N07718) is a very difficult-to-machine material that we run regularly for export customers. It has a density of 8.19 g/cm3, a tensile strength of 1370 MPa and a typical hardness of HRC 40. Those numbers make it the right choice for jet engine parts and gas turbine discs, and a poor choice when cost or corrosion resistance matters more than mechanical performance.
On our machines we hold +/-0.03 mm on turned and milled features and reach Ra 1.6 um where the drawing calls for it. Standard lead time for Inconel 718 parts is 5-10 working days, including material procurement, machining and any finishing operation you specify.
Inconel 718: key properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| UNS / designation | N07718 |
| Density | 8.19 g/cm3 |
| Tensile strength | 1370 MPa |
| Hardness | HRC 40 |
| Machinability | Very difficult |
| Suggested cutting speed (carbide) | 25-40 m/min |
| Relative material cost | 5 of 5 |
Machining Inconel 718: what to plan for
- Cuts with a hard surface skin
- Tool life measured in minutes
- Machine solution-treated then age
Cutting speed for Inconel 718 with carbide tooling sits around 25-40 m/min. Going faster burns the edge; going much slower causes rubbing and a poor surface. Flood coolant is not optional here. If your part has thin walls or a lot of stock to remove, say so in the RFQ — we plan roughing, stress relief and finishing as separate operations when the geometry demands it.
Parts we machine in Inconel 718
- Jet engine parts
- Gas turbine discs
- Nuclear components
- High-temp fasteners
Most Inconel 718 work arrives as 2D drawings with a mix of critical and non-critical features. Loosening tolerance on the non-critical ones is the fastest way to cut cost, and we will tell you which features those are before we quote.
Tolerances, finish and lead time
| Item | Capability |
|---|---|
| General tolerance | +/-0.03 mm |
| Achievable surface finish | Ra 1.6 um |
| Minimum wall thickness | 0.8 mm (aluminium) / 1.0 mm (steel and stainless) |
| Typical lead time | 5-10 working days |
| Prototype quantity | 1 piece |
| Production quantity | 10 to 50,000 pieces |
Frequently asked questions
What is the lead time for Inconel 718 parts?
Standard is 5-10 working days from drawing release, assuming the material is in stock. Exotic grades and cast forms can add 5 to 10 days. Finishing such as anodizing or plating adds 3 to 5 days.
What tolerance can you hold in Inconel 718?
+/-0.03 mm is routine on turned and milled features. Tighter than that is possible on specific features by grinding or lapping, but it is quoted separately because it changes the process.
Do you keep Inconel 718 in stock?
We hold common sizes of Inconel 718 and buy mill-certified stock for everything else. Material certificates are supplied with the parts on request.
Can you supply Inconel 718 parts with a certificate of conformity?
Yes. We issue a dimensional report, a material certificate and a certificate of conformity as standard for production orders, and full PPAP or AS9102 paperwork when the programme requires it.
Related pages
- Materials — the full index for this section.
- Monel 400 CNC Machining for Seawater Hardware
- 932 Bearing Bronze CNC Machining
- Hastelloy C-276 CNC Machining: Chloride Service
- Acetal Copolymer (POM-C) CNC Machining Guide
- Instant CNC quote
- Tolerance quick reference
- Frequently asked questions
Get a price for your part
Send a STEP file and a drawing with tolerances, material and quantity. We quote within one working day and machine in our own facility in Shenzhen — milling, turning, EDM, grinding and finishing under one roof, no trading middleman.
Start an instant quote or send your drawings directly. English-speaking engineering support, DFM feedback before you commit to a batch.