Nimonic Alloy 263 (UNS N07263, W. Nr. 2.4650) is a precipitation-hardenable, nickel-cobalt-chromium-molybdenum superalloy designed to combine excellent high-temperature strength with outstanding fabrication and weldability in the annealed condition. It is widely specified for turbine-engine and industrial-turbine components and for high-temperature fabrications where a balance of creep resistance, ductility and weldability is required. For buyers who need certified bar, plate, tube or forgings with fast lead times from China, MWAlloys supplies factory-direct Nimonic 263 at competitive, auditable pricing and rapid stock-shipment options.

What is Nimonic Alloy 263?

Nimonic 263 is a nickel-base age-hardening superalloy that intentionally combines relatively high levels of chromium and cobalt with molybdenum plus controlled additions of titanium and aluminium to develop a γ/γ′ precipitation microstructure. The alloy is supplied in an annealed form that is easily formed and welded, then can be precipitation-hardened (age-treated) to achieve high proof-strength and creep resistance at intermediate and elevated temperatures (typical service up to ~800–900°C depending on load and environment). This blend of formability and age-hardening performance makes it a preferred choice where complex shapes are required and post-weld strength is important.

Nimonic 263 was developed as a sheet and fabrication-friendly replacement for earlier Nimonic grades, with Rolls-Royce and subsequent industrial alloy developers focused on improving weldability and intermediate-temperature ductility while retaining good creep strength. It has been widely adopted across aerospace gas-turbine and industrial-turbine sectors, and variants are produced under multiple trade names and by specialist alloy houses. Modern melt and processing routes (AOD/ESR, vacuum melting) are commonly used for critical product forms.

Chemical composition

Below table aggregates standard composition ranges used in datasheets and suppliers’ specifications. Values shown are typical limits encountered in manufacturer datasheets — always check the certificate (MTC) on every shipment for exact batch analysis.

(Source: consolidated supplier & datasheet chemistry tables — see Special Metals / vendor datasheets and stockist pages for exact limits per spec).)

Practical note: The combined Al+Ti (≈2.4–2.8 wt%) is intentional to control γ′ strengthening. Small boron additions help grain-boundary strength in some lot specifications.

Key physical & mechanical properties

The property set below summarizes commonly published, representative values for bar/plate in solution-treated & aged forms (many datasheets give typical/guaranteed lines — always use contractual values for design).

Physical properties

Mechanical properties — typical (solution treated + aged / precipitation hardened)

Creep & high-temperature performance: Nimonic 263 maintains useful creep resistance to ~800–900°C in many environments; oxidation resistance is good up to ~900–925°C but specific life under load depends on stress, environment and coating/TBC. Haynes lists typical fabricated component service guidance to ≈900°C with local caveats.

Standards, specifications & common designations

Common industry references and manufacturing standards for product forms include:

• UNS: N07263.

• W. Nr.: 2.4650.

• AMS / ASTM / BS: AMS 5872 (sheet/plate), AMS 5886 (bars/forgings) and British standards (BS HR10 or equivalents) are commonly referenced — suppliers will quote to these standards or to customer specifications.

• Trade names / equivalents: HAYNES® 263, NIMONIC® 263, Nimonic C-263, sometimes listed alongside Haynes or Hastelloy group nomenclature on sales pages. Note: some vendors use “C-263” and “263” interchangeably — verify vendor’s claimed origin/source.

Practical procurement tip: Always confirm the exact specification called out on the purchase order (AMS/BS/EN or manufacturer’s proprietary spec), and require an EN 10204 type 3.1 or 3.2 MTC for critical aerospace/turbine applications.

Heat treatment, ageing and fabrication notes

• Solution treatment: Typical solution treatments are in the range of 1100–1175°C followed by quench (water or controlled cool); datasheets commonly mention a compromise solution temp around 1150°C for balancing tensile vs creep performance. Quench method (water vs air vs fluidized bed) affects distortion and final properties.

• Ageing (precipitation hardening): Typical ageing cycles yield γ′ precipitates that give the high proof strength. Exact schedules are spec-dependent and should be validated with sample coupons for critical parts.

• Welding: Nimonic 263 welds well relative to many γ′ strengthened superalloys — it shows less tendency for post-weld cracking if correct procedures and matching filler are used. Pre/post-weld heat treatment guidance should be followed for high-duty parts.

• Hot working window: Hot working (forging/rolling) is commonly carried out between approximately 950–1150°C; cold forming is possible in the annealed state due to good ductility.

Typical applications & engineering rationale

Nimonic 263 is chosen where a combination of formability, weldability and good aged high-temperature strength is necessary. Typical uses include:

• Gas turbine components (combustor liners, transition pieces, sheet-formed liners).

• Industrial turbine sheet and fabricated assemblies.

• Aerospace engine parts where welded fabrications or formed sheet components are required.

• Combustion chamber parts, transition rings, some stator/inner combustor elements where oxidation resistance and thermal fatigue matter.

Why pick 263 vs alternatives? It is noticeably easier to form and weld in the annealed state than some γ′ strengthened alloys (e.g., Rene-type or certain cast superalloys) while still delivering strong age-hardened strength and creep resistance — a practical compromise between fabricability and in-service performance.

Equivalents & cross-references

Common trade terms and equivalent labels you’ll see in procurement:

• Nimonic® 263 (original British trade name).

• HAYNES® 263 / Haynes 263 (Haynes alloy portfolio).

• Nimonic C-263 or Alloy C-263 (some sellers/stockists).

• UNS N07263, W. Nr. 2.4650, AMS 5872 / AMS 5886 (form-specific).

Note: “Hastelloy C-263” is sometimes used in aftermarket vendor listings but verify chemical fingerprint — Hastelloy is a trade name in another family; cross-naming sometimes shows up on reseller pages. Always verify exact UNS/Werkstoff number to avoid confusion.

Size, forms and weight chart (typical stock shapes)

Common product forms: Sheet/plate, strip, round bar, flat bar, forgings, tube, wire and weld filler.

Density used for weight calculation: 8.36 g/cm³ (use this to compute weights for quotes). Example weight formula: mass (kg) = volume (cm³) × 8.36 / 1000.

(Example density and formula above used by MWAlloys for quick quoting.)

Nimonic Alloy 263 Price snapshot (2025)

Important procurement note: superalloy prices vary greatly with form (bar, plate, wire), quantity, certification, surface finish, melt route (AOD/ESR), and market surcharges (nickel/cobalt). Below are representative supplier examples and reported ranges seen in 2025; they should be treated as ballpark signals for negotiation and budgeting, not final prices. Always request a formal quotation with MTC, Incoterm and lead time.

How MWAlloys helps: MWAlloys obtains factory direct inventory and uses a transparent surcharge model (elemental surcharge + base price). For serious RFQs we provide an itemized quote (base metal + melt/processing premium + certification + freight) so buyers can compare true landed cost.

Quality, inspection & certification

For critical components insist on:

• MTC (EN 10204) Type 3.1 or 3.2 certificate (traceable heat analysis).

• Material test reports with measured chemistry and mechanical test results at room temperature (and at elevated temperature if required).

• NDT / dimensional inspections and third-party witness if required by contract.

• Documentation of melt route (AOD/ESR/VIM) where specified — ESR/VIM often requested for critical aerospace forgings.

Why buy Nimonic 263 from MWAlloys

MWAlloys (MW Alloys / Luokaiwei group channel) supplies nickel-base superalloys with factory-level sourcing from China’s specialist mills and qualified foundries. Our practical advantages for buyers:

• Factory-direct pricing: we source directly from mills and negotiate melt and processing packages to keep the purchaser’s landed cost competitive (we emphasize transparent itemization: base metal + processing + certification).

• Stock & fast dispatch: selective inventory of bars, plate and tube for standard sizes allows rapid shipments for urgent repairs and prototypes.

• Quality control: MTCs, PMI spot testing and pre-shipment mechanical test sampling on request.

• Export & packaging: export documentation, sea/air freight coordination and experienced handling of aerospace/energy export requirements.

• Application support: our technical team can advise on heat treatment schedules and recommended filler wires for welding.

If you’d like, MWAlloys can prepare a firm quotation for your required form, size, quantity and spec (AMS/BS/EN), showing itemized pricing and lead time.

FAQs

1. What is the maximum recommended service temperature?
   Typical service guidance is up to ~800–900°C depending on stress, environment and coating; oxidation resistance is good to about 900–925°C for many applications. Always validate for your load case.

2. Is Nimonic 263 weldable?
   Yes — it is comparatively weldable for a precipitation-strengthened nickel alloy; matched filler alloys and qualified procedures are important for critical parts.

3. What standards should I specify on a PO?
   Specify UNS N07263 / W.Nr 2.4650 and the product specification (e.g., AMS 5872 for sheet/plate or AMS 5886 for bar/forging) and require EN 10204 type 3.1/3.2 certificates for aerospace parts.

4. Are there direct equivalents?
   Trade names include Haynes 263 (HAYNES® 263) and Nimonic C-263; check UNS N07263 for chemistry match.

5. Can it be hot worked and cold formed?
   Yes — hot working is usually done between ~950–1150°C and cold forming is feasible in the annealed condition due to good ductility.

6. How does C-263 compare to Inconel 718?
   718 (nickel-iron-chromium with Nb/Ti) and 263 have different strengthening systems and environmental responses; 263 combines cobalt and higher chromium plus Mo for better high-temperature oxidation resistance and fabrication; selection depends on component design and service.

7. What forms are commonly stocked?
   Plate/sheet, round bar, flat bar, tube and forgings are common; MWAlloys holds selected sizes for fast shipments.

8. What documentation to request for aerospace use?
   MTC EN 10204 type 3.2 (third party) and traceable heat numbers, full chemical analysis and mechanical test results, and process records where required.

9. Do prices fluctuate a lot?
   Yes — nickel & cobalt market movements and alloy-specific surcharges change monthly; manufacturers publish surcharge tables that feed final prices. Obtain a live quote.

10. Can MWAlloys source small prototype quantities?
    Yes — we supply both prototype small-lot orders and production volumes; for prototypes we can advise on typical lead times and budgetary pricing immediately.