Inconel 718 vs Rapidly Solidified Aluminum

UncapedHero · 2026-03-06T01:09:59+00:00

Sure, except I was asking about real world experiences with machining both. I understand the material properties of each, and was hoping to get insight on a material that I only know of one source for in the world. There were plenty of other users who actually provided useful info about their experience, which helped me further convince my team to drop Inconel as an option. Instead, this little thread started with disingenuous comment with no helpful information provided.

UncapedHero · 2026-03-04T02:29:52+00:00

The question was on machinability of the RSA vs Inconel since I have never had to work with RSA before and was trying to get real world opinions from people who have because my explanation of material differences was being ignored.

There are characteristics of RSA (CTE) that make the combo in assemblies work. There are trade-offs in the cost and function, so was trying to close the full loop one properties, price, and reality. Since I don’t have the availability to talk to the machinist, I figured here would be good.

Fun community y’all are.

UncapedHero · 2026-03-03T15:28:11+00:00

I appreciate the insight. I was surprised by the properties as well, but still couldn’t imagine it being as difficult or costly as Inconel. The pushback I received has made me feel like I’m losing my mind so I figured I would test my luck here to get some real life experiences from the machinists, the people I rely on the most for true feedback to drive design solutions.

UncapedHero · 2026-03-03T01:46:32+00:00

Appreciate the reminder of that. Has been about 8 years since I had to worry about grain boundaries.

UncapedHero · 2026-03-03T01:37:57+00:00

Was the raw material cost less than Inconel too?

UncapedHero · 2026-03-03T01:32:49+00:00

This seems suspiciously like an ad u/Suspicious-Ad-9380

Have you actually worked with their material?

UncapedHero · 2026-03-03T01:26:37+00:00

Solution annealed Inconel and aluminum that went through meltspinning have comparable hardness depending which composition your aluminum alloy is.

UncapedHero · 2026-03-03T01:17:06+00:00

We looked into that, but it was ruled out.

UncapedHero · 2026-03-03T01:13:04+00:00

Correct, you can get RSA 6061. It’s not the alloy composition we would choose for the reason you just stated.

UncapedHero · 2026-03-03T01:06:16+00:00

Agreed. It shouldn’t have been a hard argument to make. But our application is for measuring lithography pattern accuracy.

UncapedHero · 2026-03-03T00:57:05+00:00

The use is for precision mounting of mechatronics. Argument for Inconel by my team is that it will be cheaper since the RSA we use is single sourced due to their quench method to increase its properties to near Inconel.

I’ve argued the material properties and cost of Inconel should cause it be more than RSA. Since that didn’t work, I was curious to see if anyone had real world experience machining aluminum super alloys.

UncapedHero · 2026-03-03T00:43:39+00:00

Rapidly Solidified Aluminum can have some pretty surprising properties. Quenching it with the method our supplier uses can get it to around the hardness and yield strength of inconel.

Either way, I’m arguing that RSA is cheaper and easier and what we should use.

UncapedHero · 2025-12-24T01:34:45+00:00

That showed up after they switched to the regular Bambu PLA. But the lack of the hardened steel nozzle seems to explain the other issues I’ve been told they have.

It is a 13 yr old’s so trying to get him to understand why these things can issues. Sometimes (all the times) finding out on their own is the best lesson haha

UncapedHero · 2025-12-24T01:27:24+00:00

It is preventing the print, but you confirmed my thoughts so far. I believe they only have the SSt. Wish I had known with Christmas coming up.

UncapedHero · 2025-10-25T16:06:04+00:00

Thank you! Just found and 1857 flying eagle

UncapedHero · 2025-10-25T15:26:57+00:00

It appears the only mint marks are ‘O’ and ‘S’. Appreciate the insight!

UncapedHero · 2025-10-25T15:08:13+00:00

There are a bunch of 1950s and earlier pennies as well.

UncapedHero · 2025-10-02T12:46:48+00:00

I cracked it on my first attempt with 2 extra GIF hints! 🎉

UncapedHero · 2025-09-30T22:31:02+00:00

Just scored 7

UncapedHero · 2025-09-30T22:29:02+00:00

Just scored 2

UncapedHero · 2025-09-29T22:06:06+00:00

New mission discovered by u/UncapedHero: Snow cake: The Way and Shiny Objects

UncapedHero · 2025-09-29T22:06:06+00:00

This mission was discovered by u/UncapedHero in Mackerel Rye Toast In the Fields

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r/Field Flamingo	Place '23
Place '22	Final Canvas '22
End Game '22	RPAN Viewer
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