Inconel pays 10–20x more per pound than stainless steel as scrap. See the full price comparison, how to tell them apart, and what each is worth today.
📞 Call (754) 310-2984 ⚡ Price CalculatorIf you have a pile of high-temperature alloy pipe or fittings and you're not sure whether it's Inconel or stainless steel, the difference in scrap value is enormous. Inconel 625 currently pays $9–$14/lb. Stainless 304 pays $0.45–$0.65/lb. That's a 15–20x difference on the same weight of metal.
| Metal / Grade | Current Buy Price | Description | Identification Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inconel 625 | $9.50–$14.00/lb | Nickel-chromium superalloy | Magnetic? No. Spark test: dull orange |
| Inconel 718 | $12.50–$17.00/lb | Aerospace-grade nickel alloy | Magnetic? Slightly. Mill cert preferred |
| Inconel 600 | $8.50–$11.50/lb | High-temp nickel alloy | Magnetic? No. Bright silver color |
| Stainless 304 | $0.45–$0.65/lb | 18-8 chromium-nickel steel | Magnetic? Weakly. Very common |
| Stainless 316 | $0.55–$0.80/lb | Marine-grade stainless | Magnetic? No. Slightly heavier |
| Stainless 310 | $0.75–$1.00/lb | High-temp stainless | Magnetic? No. Often confused with Inconel |
The most reliable field test is a spark test. Inconel produces a dull, short orange spark. Stainless produces a longer, brighter spark with more branching. A magnet test also helps — most Inconel grades are non-magnetic, while 304 stainless is weakly magnetic. If you have mill certs or heat stamps, those are definitive.
Inconel is a nickel-based superalloy — it contains 58–72% nickel, which is a high-value base metal. Stainless steel is primarily iron with 8–18% nickel and 18% chromium. The nickel content alone makes Inconel 10–20x more valuable per pound.
You can, but you'll be paid the lower stainless rate for the entire mixed load. Always separate your metals before calling for a quote. A few hours of sorting can add thousands of dollars to your payout.
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