Nickel-based superalloy prices trended sideways across most grades over the past week amidst weak demand for the material.
The weekly Davis Index for Hastelloy C was better by 0.4¢/lb at $4.67/lb for single truckloads, delivered processor yard. Meanwhile, the index for Hastelloy X ticked up by 0.3¢/lb to $3.07/lb delivered amid slow demand recovery.
The index for Inconel 600 increased by 0.3¢/lb to $4.08/lb and grew by 0.2¢/lb for the 601 grade to $3.23/lb, both delivered processor yard.
Inconel 617 trended flat at $3.06/lb delivered processor yard while Inconel 625 Vac improved by 0.2¢/lb to $3.52/lb delivered. The index for Inconel 718 Vac declined by 0.1¢/lb to $2.77/lb delivered processor yard on Thursday.
The official LME Nickel cash contract closed Thursday at $15,450/mt, up by $57/mt from $15,393/mt on Oct 29th. Despite higher LME nickel prices, participants found demand to be sluggish, causing prices trending sideways to slightly up. Inconel 718, in specific, has been slow to recover in terms of demand with prices not ticking up since the past few weeks, a few processors noted.