Materials · Turlock, California

Inconel and Nickel Superalloy Machining in California

C&W Manufacturing machines Inconel 718 and 625, Hastelloy X and C-276, Haynes 282 and other nickel superalloys for aerospace, turbine and defense programs. These alloys work-harden under the tool, hold their strength at temperature, and conduct heat poorly, so they are machined with a plan: roughed in the soft condition, heat treated where the specification calls for it, and finish-machined so aged parts come out on size. Five CNC mills including 5-axis, four CNC lathes, an AS9100D quality system and AS9102 first-article inspection. ITAR registered.

Inconel 718 & 625Hastelloy X & C-276Haynes 2825-Axis CNCAS9100D & ISO 9001:2015ITAR Registered

Capabilities at a glance

The facts a sourcing engineer needs first. Everything below is repeated in more depth on our services and about pages and documented on the certifications page.

  1. AlloysInconel 718 (AMS 5662/5663 bar, AMS 5596 sheet), Inconel 625 (AMS 5666 bar, AMS 5599 sheet), Hastelloy X (AMS 5754/5536), Hastelloy C-276 (AMS 5750), Haynes 282 (AMS 5951/5952); Waspaloy and others on request
  2. Processes3, 4 and 5-axis CNC milling, CNC and manual turning, secondary milling; welding of nickel alloys; heat treatment (solution and age per AMS 2774) coordinated with certified vendors
  3. SequenceRough in the annealed condition with stock left on, heat treat and age, then finish-machine: the sequence that keeps a precipitation-hardened part on size and protects tooling from cutting fully aged material
  4. ToolingPositive-rake carbide and ceramic where the geometry allows, rigid setups, high-pressure coolant, constant chip load, and tool changes scheduled by wear rather than by breakage
  5. InspectionCMM inspection, in-machine probing, AS9102 first article reports, material certs traceable to heat, hardness verification after age
  6. ComplianceAS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certified; ITAR registered (DDTC); JCP DD-2345; CMMC Level 2 in SPRS; CAGE 97LA6
  7. Location351 N. Walnut Rd. STE 16, Turlock, California; established 1997; shipping nationwide

How we machine superalloys

Rough soft, finish aged

Inconel 718 roughly doubles its yield strength when aged, and tool life falls accordingly. Roughing in the annealed condition and finishing after age is the single largest cost lever; our Inconel machining guide walks through the sequence.

Manage the heat

Nickel alloys conduct heat a fraction as well as steel, so the cutting zone runs hot and the alloy work-hardens if the tool dwells. Sharp edges, steady feed and generous coolant keep the cut predictable.

Know the spec

AMS 5663 is solution-treated and aged bar; AMS 5662 is annealed for the shop to age; AMS 5962 is direct-aged. Ordering the wrong one costs a heat-treat cycle. See Inconel AMS specifications.

Pick the right alloy

718 for strength to about 1300°F, 625 for corrosion and weldability, Hastelloy X for oxidation to 2200°F, C-276 for aggressive wet corrosion, Haynes 282 for creep strength with weldability. Our guides to 625 vs 718 and Hastelloy and Haynes compare them.

Aerospace paperwork

AMS material certs traceable to heat, heat-treat certs, hardness results, AS9102 first article and CMM reports under the AS9100D system.

Design for cost

Superalloy parts can cost 20 to 50 times the same part in aluminum, mostly in machining time. Generous radii, realistic tolerances and near-net stock all help; the DFM guide explains which changes matter most.

Frequently asked questions

Which nickel alloys do you machine?

Inconel 718 and 625, Hastelloy X and C-276, and Haynes 282 are the alloys we run most, with Waspaloy and others quoted on request. We machine bar, plate and forgings to the AMS specifications called out on the drawing.

Why is Inconel so expensive to machine?

Three reasons: the material itself costs many times what aluminum does, the alloy work-hardens and runs hot at the cutting edge so speeds are a fraction of those for steel and tool wear is heavy, and precipitation-hardened grades need a heat-treat cycle planned into the machining sequence. Machining cost typically runs 5 to 20 times the aluminum equivalent.

Do you machine Inconel 718 before or after aging?

Both, in a planned sequence. We rough in the annealed condition with stock left on, send the part for solution treatment and aging per AMS 2774 or the drawing, then finish-machine to size. Finishing after age accounts for the small dimensional change and avoids cutting the full-hard material any more than necessary.

Can you weld Inconel and Hastelloy?

Yes. C&W fabricates nickel alloys for aerospace and defense work. Precipitation-hardened grades are welded in the annealed condition and aged afterward so the weld ages with the base metal; tell us at quote time if welding is part of the job.

Do you handle ITAR superalloy parts?

Yes. Turbine, exhaust and defense components in these alloys are often export-controlled. C&W is ITAR registered, JCP DD-2345 certified and holds CMMC Level 2 status; controlled data is accepted only over a U.S.-hosted secure channel.

Do you provide first-article inspection and material certs?

Yes. AS9102 first article reports with CMM data, AMS material certifications traceable to heat, and heat-treat and hardness records come with aerospace lots under our AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 quality system.

Titanium as well? See titanium machining. Aerospace program? See the aerospace machine shop page.

Superalloy parts, sequenced right

Send the drawing, the alloy and specification, the condition you want delivered, and the quantity. We respond within one business day with a quote and the heat-treat sequence we would use.