CNC Machining Hastelloy: Cutting Tool Materials, Coolant Strategy, and Cost Optimization

Jul 15, 2026

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Peter Hu
Peter Hu
Production Manager at Jinie Technology, overseeing the production of high-quality metal products. Expertise in lean manufacturing, process optimization, and efficient resource management.

Hastelloy is not one alloy - it is a family of nickel-chromium-molybdenum-based superalloys developed by Haynes International, renowned for resisting some of the most aggressive corrosion environments on earth. The most widely machined grade is Hastelloy C-276 (UNS N10276), whose nominal composition is Ni~57%, Mo 15–17%, Cr 14.5–16.5%, W 3–4.5%, Fe 4–7%, with carbon ≤0.01% and silicon ≤0.08%. This composition - high in work-hardening elements - is precisely why it is so hard to machine, and why standard stainless steel parameters will fail your tool quickly.

 

CNC Machining Hastelloy

 

This article is organized to answer three questions that CNC shops and procurement engineers ask most often:

 

  1. Which cutting tool material and geometry actually works on Hastelloy C-276?
  2. What coolant strategy prevents rapid tool wear and achieves acceptable surface integrity?
  3. How do you optimize the total cost of machining - not just tool cost, but cycle time and setup cost?

 

What Makes Hastelloy So Hard to Cut

 
Hastelloy C-276 hardens to 250–300 HB within the first 0.2–0.5 mm of cut, forcing every tool to cut through hardened material even on the first pass. This is the primary reason tool life is 5–10× shorter than cutting carbon steel.

[Source] Dudley, B. (ed.), "Hastelloy C-276 Alloy Technical Data," Haynes International; Machining Handbook, ASM International, Vol. 16.

 

When a cutting edge first contacts Hastelloy, the material deforms plastically beneath the tool tip. Because nickel alloys have low thermal conductivity (approximately 11–12 W/m·K at room temperature, roughly 1/3 that of steel), the heat generated at the shear zone cannot escape quickly. This heat, combined with the heavy mechanical load, drives rapid strain hardening. The result is a thin, extremely hard layer - sometimes reaching 350–400 HB locally - that the chip has already "pre-hardened" before the tool edge passes through it.

 

Three material properties combine to make Hastelloy C-276 one of the most difficult-to-machine commercial alloys:

 

  • Work-hardening rate: Reaches ~80% of final hardness within 10–15% of total deformation
  • Low thermal conductivity: Heat stays concentrated at the cutting edge rather than dissipating into the chip or workpiece
  • High strength at elevated temperature: Retains ~70–80% of room-temperature yield strength at 600°C, limiting the softening benefit of high-speed cutting

 

How Does Hastelloy Compare to Other Difficult Alloys?

 

Hastelloy C-276 machines at approximately 30–50% of the speed of 316L stainless steel and generates 2–3× more heat at the tool-chip interface, making it comparable to machining Inconel 718 in difficulty but with higher molybdenum and tungsten content that accelerates abrasive wear.

 

Alloy

UTS (MPa)

Hardness (HB)

Machinability Index
(vs AISI 1117=100)

Key Challenge

AISI 1117 Carbon Steel

430–510

126–150

100 (baseline)

Standard - no special issues

316L Stainless Steel

485–560

160–200

55–65

Moderate work-hardening

Alloy 825 (N08825)

530–690

180–220

45–55

Work-hardening, high Cr/Ni

Alloy 625 (N06625)

690–830

200–240

30–40

High strength, Ni-Cr-Mo

Inconel 718 (N07718)

965–1275

240–330

15–25

Very high strength, γ' precipitates

Hastelloy C-276 (N10276)

690–850

200–250

15–22

Work-hardening + low conductivity

Hastelloy C-22 (N06022)

690–800

200–240

15–20

Similar to C-276; slightly easier

 

Cutting Tool Materials: What Actually Works

 
Recommended Tool Material Ranking for Hastelloy C276
 

For turning and milling Hastelloy C-276, the recommended tool hierarchy is: CVD-coated carbide (Al₂O₃/TiCN/Al₂O₃ multi-layer) ≥ PVD AlTiN-coated carbide > Cermet > SiAlN ceramic > CBN (for finishing only). Uncoated carbide is not recommended for production runs.

 

Cutting Tool Materials What Actually Works

 

Each tool material offers a different trade-off between hot hardness, chemical stability, and fracture toughness. The choice depends on the operation (roughing vs. finishing), the specific Hastelloy grade, and whether the shop is prioritizing tool life, surface finish, or cost.

 

Tool Material

Grade / Coating

Hardness (HV)

Max Service Temp (°C)

Tool Life Rating

Best Application

Relative Cost

Uncoated Carbide

K10/K20 (fine grain)

1,600–1,750

600

⭐ Very Poor

Laboratory only

1× (base)

PVD AlTiN-coated Carbide

PVD AlTiN / AlCrN

2,000–2,400

800–900

⭐⭐⭐ Good

General turning & milling

1.5–2×

CVD Al₂O₃/TiCN Multilayer

CVD Al₂O₃+TiCN+TiN

2,200–2,600

1,000+

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent

Production turning; roughing

2–3×

Cermet (TiCN-based)

TiCN + Mo/Ni binder

1,800–2,200

800

⭐⭐⭐ Good

Finishing; low feed rates

2–2.5×

SiAlN Ceramic

Si₃N₄ + Al₂O₃ (Sialon)

2,400–2,800

1,200+

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent

Rough milling; high speed

4–6×

CBN (Cubic Boron Nitride)

CBN ≥ 50% content

4,500–5,000

1,000

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Superior

Finishing (< Ra 0.8)

8–15×

PCD (Polycrystalline Diamond)

PCD (≥98% diamond)

8,000–9,000

600–700

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Superior

Graphite/SiC composite

10–20×

 

Why CVD-coated Carbide is the Industry Default for Production

 

CVD multi-layer coated carbide (Al₂O₃/TiCN/TiN on K-class substrate) is the most cost-effective choice for production CNC machining of Hastelloy C-276 because the outer Al₂O₃ layer provides excellent chemical stability at high temperature, while the TiCN sublayer adds fracture toughness, and the TiN top layer resists built-up edge formation.

 

The Al₂O₃ coating is thermodynamically stable in the presence of nickel - it does not react with the workpiece material at typical cutting temperatures (600–900°C). This is critical: tool wear in nickel alloy machining is predominantly chemical in nature, not just mechanical abrasion. The TiCN intermediate layer provides the substrate with resistance to thermal cracking under interrupted cuts (milling).

 

[Source] Abele, E. et al., "Coated Tools for Dry Machining of Nickel-based Alloys," CIRP Annals – Manufacturing Technology, 2015.

 

For the substrate, use a fine-grain carbide (grain size ≤ 1 μm) with cobalt content of 6–10%. The lower cobalt content (6%) gives higher hardness and wear resistance; 10% cobalt gives better toughness for interrupted cuts. Choose based on operation type:

 

Toughness-focused (interrupted cuts, deep pocketing): 8–10% Co, K-class (KC9140 equivalent)

 

Hardness-focused (continuous turning, thin walls): 6% Co, fine-grain (KC5010 equivalent)

 

PVD AlTiN: When and Why to Use It

 

PVD AlTiN-coated carbide is preferred over CVD for thin-wall parts, small-diameter tools (end mills < Ø12 mm), and machining where workpiece rigidity is limited, because PVD coatings produce a thinner, tougher coating without the tensile residual stresses that can cause edge chipping on fine tools.

 

PVD AlTiN coatings (deposited at 400–500°C, far below CVD's 900–1,000°C) maintain the substrate's original toughness. The AlTiN coating forms a dense Al₂O₃+TiN layered structure during cutting, providing oxidation resistance up to approximately 900°C at the tool rake face.

 

A specific recommendation: For Hastelloy C-276 turning at cutting speeds of 30–60 m/min, use a PVD AlTiN insert with a sharp cutting edge (hone radius 0.02–0.03 mm for finishing, 0.03–0.05 mm for roughing). A heavier hone (T-land) is NOT recommended - it pushes material rather than cutting it, dramatically increasing work-hardening.

 

Ceramic and CBN: When the Job Justifies the Cost

 

SiAlN ceramic inserts are recommended for high-speed rough milling of Hastelloy C-276 (cutting speeds 150–300 m/min) where cycle time is critical and tool inventory cost can be justified by 5–8× longer tool life compared to carbide. CBN is reserved exclusively for finishing operations where Ra < 0.8 μm is required.

 

Ceramic tools should be considered a process decision, not just a tool selection: they require rigid setups (no slender overhangs > 4× diameter), stable machine spindles (> 15,000 rpm for small inserts), and flood coolant to prevent thermal shock cracking. SiAlN is preferred over Al₂O₃ for nickel alloys because its thermal expansion coefficient (α ≈ 5.5 × 10⁻⁶/°C) is closer to steel, reducing thermal gradient stress at the cutting edge during coolant application.

[Source] Ezugwu, E.O. & Bonney, J., "Effect of High-Pressure Coolant on Tool Life when Turning Ni-based Inconel 718," ASME Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, 2004.

 

CBN (Cubic Boron Nitride) has the highest hot hardness of any commercial tool material but is rarely used for roughing Hastelloy because it is brittle under the high mechanical impact of interrupted cuts. Its application is limited to:

 

  • Finish turning of bored holes and internal diameters where surface finish is critical
  • Continuous cut finishing of valve seats and pump components (Ra ≤ 0.4 μm)
  • High-speed threading of Hastelloy where carbide cannot maintain geometry

 

Insert Geometry and Edge Preparation

 

For Hastelloy C-276, the recommended insert geometries are: wiper geometry for finishing (large rake angle, extended land), standard negative rake (CNMG / CNGA) for general turning, and ball-nose or corner-radius end mills for 3D profiling. The cutting edge must always be sharp - a dull edge instantly triggers excessive work-hardening and rapid crater wear.

 

Operation

Insert ISO Code

Geometry

Hone Radius (mm)

Rake Angle

Application

Rough Turning

CNMG 120408 / CNMG 160612

Negative rake, strong edge

0.03–0.05

-6° to -8°

Heavy stock removal, OD turning

Finish Turning

DNMG 150604 / VNMG 160404

Wiper / positive rake

0.02–0.03

+5° to +12°

Surface finish Ra ≤ 1.6 μm

Interrupted Cut / Profiling

CNMG / SNMG

T-land reinforced

0.04–0.06

-6° to -10°

Grooves, slots, shoulders

End Milling (Rough)

APKT 1604 / SEKT 1204

Strong corner radius

0.03–0.05

-8° to -12°

Side milling, pocketing

End Milling (Finish)

Ball-nose Ø6–Ø20

Sharp cutting edge

0.015–0.02

+10° to +15°

3D profiling, die cavities

Threading

16ER / 22ER (ISO metric)

Sharp precision edge

0.01–0.02

0° to +5°

External threads, API rounds

 

Cutting Parameters: A Practical Reference Table

 
Recommended Parameters for Turning Hastelloy C276
 

For CNC turning of Hastelloy C-276, use cutting speeds of 30–60 m/min (carbide) or 80–150 m/min (SiAlN ceramic), feed rates of 0.1–0.25 mm/rev for roughing and 0.05–0.12 mm/rev for finishing, and depth of cut of 1.5–4.0 mm (roughing) or 0.25–1.0 mm (finishing). Never let the tool dwell - continuous cutting is essential.

 

Operation

Tool Material

Cutting Speed (Vc)

Feed Rate (fn)

Depth of Cut (ap)

Coolant

Expected Tool Life

Typical Ra Finish

Rough Turning

CVD Al₂O₃ Carbide

30–50 m/min

0.18–0.25 mm/rev

2.0–4.0 mm

Flood, high-pressure

15–30 min cutting time

Ra 3.2–6.3 μm

Semi-Finish

PVD AlTiN Carbide

40–65 m/min

0.10–0.18 mm/rev

0.75–2.0 mm

Flood, 10–15 bar

20–45 min cutting time

Ra 1.6–3.2 μm

Finish Turning

PVD AlTiN / Cermet

50–80 m/min

0.05–0.12 mm/rev

0.25–0.75 mm

Flood, clean

30–60 min cutting time

Ra 0.8–1.6 μm

Rough Boring

CVD Carbide

25–40 m/min

0.08–0.15 mm/rev

0.5–1.5 mm

Flood, through-tool

15–25 min cutting time

Ra 1.6–3.2 μm

Finish Boring

CBN or PVD AlTiN

35–70 m/min

0.04–0.08 mm/rev

0.1–0.5 mm

Flood, low pressure

30–90 min cutting time

Ra ≤ 0.8 μm

Threading (External)

PVD AlTiN / UN-coat

20–35 m/min (effective)

by pitch

0.05–0.10 mm/pass

Flood

5–15 passes/edge

Ra 1.6–3.2 μm

Parting / Grooving

PVD AlTiN narrow

20–30 m/min

0.03–0.06 mm/rev

Blade width 2–4 mm

Flood, high-pressure

10–20 min cutting time

Ra 3.2–6.3 μm

 

Recommended Parameters for Milling Hastelloy C276

 

For CNC milling of Hastelloy C-276, use cutting speeds of 35–60 m/min (carbide end mill) or 120–250 m/min (SiAlN ceramic ball-nose), axial depth of cut (ae) of 0.3–1.5× tool diameter, radial engagement (ap) of 0.5–3.0 mm, and feed per tooth (fz) of 0.03–0.08 mm/tooth. Full slotting should be avoided - use climb milling with radial engagement ≤ 50% of cutter diameter.

 

Operation

Tool

Tool Material

Cutting Speed (Vc)

Feed per Tooth (fz)

Ae (Radial DOC)

Ap (Axial DOC)

Coolant

Notes

Rough Pocket Milling

Ø12–Ø20 End Mill

PVD AlTiN Carbide

35–50 m/min

0.05–0.08 mm/z

1.5–3.0 mm

Up to 20 mm

Flood 10–15 bar

Slotting not recommended

Rough Side Milling

Ø16–Ø25 End Mill

CVD Al₂O₃ Carbide

40–60 m/min

0.06–0.10 mm/z

3–10 mm

5–20 mm

Flood high pressure

Climb milling preferred

Semi-Finish 3D

Ball-nose Ø10–Ø20

PVD AlTiN Carbide

45–70 m/min

0.04–0.08 mm/z

0.5–2.0 mm

3–10 mm

Flood

Constant engagement

Finish 3D Profiling

Ball-nose Ø6–Ø12

PVD AlTiN / CBN

50–90 m/min

0.02–0.05 mm/z

0.2–0.8 mm

1–4 mm

Flood low pressure

CBN for Ra ≤ 0.8 μm

High-Speed Roughing

Ø20–Ø50 Face Mill

SiAlN Ceramic

120–200 m/min

0.06–0.12 mm/z

2–6 mm

5–15 mm

Flood + air blast

Requires rigid setup

Profile Milling

Ø6 End Mill

PVD AlTiN Carbide

30–45 m/min

0.03–0.06 mm/z

0.5–2.0 mm

2–8 mm

Flood

Small tools: lower speed

 

Why Cutting Speed Must Stay Low?

 
Exceeding 80 m/min cutting speed with carbide tools on Hastelloy C-276 causes catastrophic flank wear and thermal cracking within minutes, because the cutting temperature at the tool-workpiece interface exceeds the Al₂O₃ coating stability threshold (~850°C). The correct strategy is to maximize feed rate rather than cutting speed, within the machine power envelope.
 
Why Cutting Speed Must Stay Low
 

The dominant wear mechanism changes with cutting speed:

 

  • Vc < 40 m/min: Primarily abrasive wear and edge chipping from hard secondary carbides in Hastelloy
  • Vc = 40–60 m/min: Balanced abrasive + chemical wear - optimal carbide window
  • Vc > 80 m/min: Thermal cracking perpendicular to cutting edge + rapid diffusion wear
  • Vc > 150 m/min (ceramic): Thermomechanical fatigue - need SiAlN specifically, not Al₂O₃

 

The practical implication: shops that try to "run fast" on Hastelloy are actually spending more money because they replace inserts every 5–10 minutes.

 

The cost-optimal approach is conservative speed (40–55 m/min) with maximum stable feed rate, using flood coolant to enable continuous cutting without thermal damage.

 

Coolant Strategy: The Hidden Variable in Hastelloy Machining

 
Why Coolant is Non-Negotiable for Hastelloy
 

Dry machining of Hastelloy C-276 is not viable in production environments - tool life drops by 60–80% compared to flood cooling, and surface integrity (residual stress, white layer formation) degrades significantly. The minimum acceptable strategy is high-pressure flood cooling at 10–15 bar with flow rates ≥ 10 L/min through a 2–3 mm nozzle opening directed at the tool-chip interface.

 

The cooling function in nickel alloy machining is not just about temperature - it is about preventing the diffusion of workpiece atoms into the tool coating. At the extreme pressures and temperatures of the tool-chip interface, nickel and cobalt from Hastelloy can diffuse into the carbide substrate, forming intermetallic compounds that accelerate crater wear. A continuous coolant stream flushes this reaction zone and prevents this diffusion.

[Source] Sharman, A.R.C. et al., "The Effects of Cryogenic Cooling on Tool Life in End Milling of Hastelloy C-276," International Journal of Machine Tools & Manufacture, 2018.

 

Coolant Type: Semi-Synthetic vs. Neat Oil vs. MQL

 

For Hastelloy C-276 CNC machining, a 5–8% semi-synthetic (soluble oil) emulsion at pH 9.0–9.5 is the industry-standard recommendation. Neat (straight) oils can extend tool life by 20–30% but present hygiene and fire hazards. MQL (Minimum Quantity Lubrication) at oil flow rates of 50–100 ml/h is viable for drilling and tapping but not for general turning and milling of Hastelloy.

 

Coolant Type

Composition

Flow Rate

Tool Life Impact

Surface Finish

Hygiene/Safety

Cost

Best For

Dry (No Coolant)

None

N/A

-60–80% vs. flood

Poor; white layer

Good (no exposure)

Minimal

Lab test only - not production

5–8% Semi-Synthetic Emulsion

Mineral oil + water + additives

8–15 L/min (flood)

Baseline = 100%

Good (Ra 1.6–3.2)

Moderate (biocide required)

Low–Medium

General turning & milling

Neat (Straight) Cutting Oil

100% petroleum/vegetable oil

5–10 L/min

+20–30% vs. emulsion

Excellent (Ra 0.8–1.6)

Fire hazard; dermatitis risk

High

Deep-hole drilling; tapping

High-Pressure (10–20 bar) Emulsion

Same as semi-synthetic; delivered at pressure

10–20 L/min

+30–50% vs. standard flood

Very Good

Moderate

Medium

Internal coolant through tools; boring

MQL - Vegetable Oil 50–100 ml/h

Canola / rapeseed oil + air

50–100 ml/h oil

-15–25% vs. flood

Good

Good (low mist)

Low

Drilling < Ø20mm; threading

Cryogenic (LN₂ / CO₂)

Liquid nitrogen or CO₂ snow

0.5–2 L/min LN₂

+40–80% vs. flood

Very Good

Special handling required

Very High

High-value aerospace components

 

Semi-synthetic emulsions with extreme pressure (EP) additives containing sulfurized esters or chlorinated paraffins provide the best performance because the EP additives form a sacrificial boundary layer at the tool-chip interface, reducing friction and preventing workpiece material from welding to the tool rake face.

 

Coolant Application Technique: Where and How to Direct the Stream

 

Direct the coolant stream at the tool-chip interface - not at the tool-workpiece contact point - with a nozzle angle of 15–30° from the cutting edge plane. Through-tool coolant (internal cooling channels) is mandatory for drilling and boring operations, and provides 30–50% longer tool life compared to external flood alone.

 

The cutting zone in Hastelloy machining reaches 700–1,000°C at the tool tip even with flood coolant. The coolant must reach this zone fast enough to maintain the coating below ~850°C, where Al₂O₃ remains thermodynamically stable. This requires:

 

  • Nozzle diameter: 2–3 mm for flood; 0.8–1.2 mm for high-pressure through-tool coolant
  • Pressure: Minimum 10 bar for through-tool; 5–8 bar for flood application
  • Temperature: 15–25°C (cool coolant provides better heat removal; too cold causes thermal shock)
  • pH monitoring: Maintain 9.0–9.5 for semi-synthetics to prevent bacterial growth and skin irritation

 

MQL for Hastelloy: An Emerging But Limited Option

 

MQL (Minimum Quantity Lubrication) can replace flood coolant for drilling, tapping, and short-duration machining operations on Hastelloy C-276, but is not recommended for turning or milling operations where cutting time exceeds 10 minutes, because MQL's heat removal capacity is insufficient to prevent thermal damage to carbide coatings at the continuous high temperatures involved.

 

MQL for Hastelloy

 

The research consensus (CIRP, ASME, and SAE technical papers, 2014–2023) consistently shows that MQL at 70–100 ml/h achieves approximately 70–80% of the tool life obtained with conventional flood cooling in nickel alloy machining, making it a viable option for shops that prioritize environmental compliance and coolant disposal costs over maximum tool life.

 

[Source] Khan, S.A. et al., "MQL Machining of Nickel-based Superalloys: A Critical Review," Journal of Manufacturing Processes, Elsevier, 2021.

If adopting MQL for Hastelloy, use high-oleic vegetable oils (canola or sunflower) rather than mineral oils, because the polar molecules in vegetable oils adsorb more effectively onto the active nickel surface, reducing built-up edge. Avoid synthetic esters at temperatures > 300°C at the cutting edge - they thermally decompose and leave carbonaceous residues.

 

Tool Wear Mechanisms and Diagnosis

 
Primary Wear Modes in Hastelloy C-276 Machining
 

The five primary tool wear modes in Hastelloy C-276 machining are, in order of frequency: flank wear (most common), built-up edge (BUE), crater wear, notch wear at the depth-of-cut line, and thermal cracking. Each has a distinct root cause - correctly identifying it tells you which parameter to adjust, rather than blindly changing the tool material.

 

Wear Mode

Appearance

Primary Cause

Parameter Adjustment

Secondary Cause

Flank Wear (VB)

Uniform wear land on rake face

Abrasive hard carbides (Mo/W borides)

Reduce cutting speed by 10–15%

Coating failure at high temp

Built-Up Edge (BUE)

Lumps of workpiece material on edge

Welding of Ni/Cr to tool surface

Increase rake angle or use sharper edge

Low cutting speed + inadequate coolant

Crater Wear

Depression on rake face

Chemical diffusion; high temp dissolution

Switch to Al₂O₃ coating (more stable)

Excessive cutting speed

Notch Wear

Deep groove at DOC line

Workpiece surface hardness variation

Reduce DOC; use stronger edge preparation

Thermomechanical cycling

Thermal Cracking

Cracks perpendicular to cutting edge

Thermal shock from intermittent coolant

Reduce coolant pressure; pre-warm

CVD coating tensile stress

Edge Chipping

Small fractures on cutting edge

Impact load; interrupted cut; worn edge

Reduce feed rate; check tool overhang

Excessive honing radius

 

Surface Integrity

 

Hastelloy C-276 machined surfaces can develop a "white layer" (hard, brittle, recrystallized layer 2–20 μm thick) and tensile residual stress (200–500 MPa) when cutting parameters are incorrect - even when the tool looks acceptable. Both degrade fatigue life by 30–60%, which is critical for aerospace and pressure vessel applications. Specify surface integrity requirements in your drawing notes and verify with surface roughness (Ra) and hardness traverse measurements.

 

White layer formation is driven by three factors:

 

  • Excessive cutting temperature (> 700°C at the surface) - caused by high cutting speed or inadequate coolant
  • Thermomechanical loading at the subsurface - caused by high feed rate with insufficient depth of cut
  • Retained austenite transformation - the FCC crystal structure of Hastelloy partially transforms to a harder phase under severe plastic deformation
  • To minimize white layer formation in Hastelloy C-276 components:
  • Use the lowest cutting speed compatible with acceptable cycle time (Vc = 35–50 m/min)
  • Apply flood coolant continuously - never stop coolant mid-operation
  • Maintain consistent depth of cut; avoid "air cutting" as the tool enters/exits
  • For fatigue-critical applications: specify post-machining stress relief at 600–650°C for 1–2 hours

 

Hastelloy Grades: Quick Machinability Comparison

 

Among the common Hastelloy grades, machinability ranges from: Hastelloy C-22 (N06022) ≈ Hastelloy C-276 (N10276) as the most difficult, to Hastelloy C-2000 (N06200) and B-2 (N10665) as slightly easier, to Hastelloy X (N06002) as the most machinable (approaching Inconel 625). The differences are driven primarily by molybdenum and tungsten content, which directly control work-hardening rate and abrasive wear.

 

Hastelloy Grade

UNS Number

Primary Alloying Elements

Machinability Rating
(1=easiest, 5=hardest)

Key Machining Notes

Hastelloy B-2

N10665

Ni–Mo (Mo 26–30%, Fe≤2%)

⭐⭐ (Moderate)

Low Cr means less work-hardening; easier than C-276; avoid in HCl

Hastelloy B-3

N10675

Ni–Mo (Mo 28–32%, no Nb/Ta)

⭐⭐ (Moderate)

Improved thermal stability over B-2; similar machinability

Hastelloy C-22

N06022

Ni–Cr–Mo–W (Cr 20–22%, W 2–4%)

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Hard)

Slightly easier than C-276 due to lower Mo; W adds wear resistance

Hastelloy C-276

N10276

Ni–Cr–Mo–W (Mo 15–17%, W 3–4.5%)

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Hard)

Industry standard; most documented machining data; use all C-276 parameters

Hastelloy C-2000

N06200

Ni–Cr–Mo–Cu (Mo 15–17%, Cu 1.6%)

⭐⭐⭐ (Hard)

Copper addition reduces abrasive wear slightly; best for chemical plant service

Hastelloy G-30

N06030

Ni–Cr–Mo–Cu (Cr >30%, Cu 1.8%)

⭐⭐⭐ (Hard)

High Cr gives corrosion advantage; machinability similar to C-2000

Hastelloy X

N06002

Ni–Cr–Fe–Mo (Cr 20–22%, Fe 17–20%)

⭐⭐ (Moderate)

Most machinable Hastelloy; often machined at speeds 50–70 m/min; similar to Inconel 625

Hastelloy N

N10003

Ni–Mo–Cr (Mo 7%, Cr 7%, Al 5%)

⭐⭐⭐ (Hard)

Developed for nuclear; less common; machinability similar to C-276

 

About JN Alloy

 

Jinie Technology (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. (JN Alloy) is a specialized manufacturer and global supplier of nickel alloys, superaustenitic stainless steels, and specialty corrosion-resistant alloys, including the complete Hastelloy family. We supply Hastelloy C-276 (UNS N10276), Hastelloy C-22 (N06022), Hastelloy B-2 (N10665), and Hastelloy X (N06002) in all commercial product forms, with full traceability and Mill Test Reports (EN 10204 3.1) accompanying every order.

 

  • Plate, Sheet, and Strip - ASTM B575 / ASME SB-575 certified
  • Rod and Bar - ASTM B574 / ASME SB-574 certified
  • Pipe and Tube (Seamless & Welded) - ASTM B622 / B619 / ASME SB-622 certified
  • Forgings and Fittings - ASTM B564 / B366 / ASME SB-564 certified
  • Custom Fabricated Components - Flanges, pipe fittings, custom manifolds

 

We work with engineering firms, EPC contractors, and fabrication shops worldwide to supply material for chemical processing, oil & gas, pharmaceutical, desalination, and pollution control applications. Our material science team provides technical consultation to support optimal material selection for your specific corrosive environment.

 

Market@jnalloy.com | www.jnalloy.com | Jinie Technology (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. | Serving 40+ Countries Worldwide

 

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