Haynes 600 is Haynes International's trade name for the well-known nickel-chromium-iron solid-solution alloy more commonly sold as Inconel 600. It carries no significant gamma-prime strengthening — its properties come from solid-solution hardening by chromium and iron in a high-nickel matrix (72% minimum nickel) — so this is a moderate-strength, extremely tough and ductile alloy rather than a high-strength turbine alloy.

The high nickel content gives excellent resistance to corrosion by many organic and inorganic compounds and to chloride-ion stress-corrosion cracking, while the 14-17% chromium content provides good resistance to oxidizing conditions and elevated-temperature scaling up to roughly 2000°F (1093°C). Typical applications include chemical and food processing equipment, heat-treating fixtures, furnace components, and other parts requiring both high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance across a very wide temperature range, including cryogenic service.

As a solid-solution nickel-chromium-iron alloy with no gamma-prime hardening, Haynes 600 machines differently than the precipitation-hardened superalloys in this family — it's tough and gummy rather than abrasive. Low thermal conductivity is still the dominant issue: heat generated at the cutting edge has nowhere to go but into the tool, since the workpiece and chip carry it away poorly compared to steel. That concentrated heat accelerates crater wear and edge deformation if speeds are pushed too high.

Work hardening is a major concern with this alloy — because it has no precipitate structure to begin with, the austenitic matrix hardens significantly under mechanical deformation from the cutting action itself, so any rubbing, dwelling, or light interrupted engagement leaves a hardened skin that is far tougher to remove on the next pass. Chip control can also be a problem, since the alloy's ductility produces long, stringy chips that can gall against the tool and workpiece. Positive-rake, sharp coated carbide edges, constant chip loads, rigid setups, and generous coolant are the standard countermeasures.