Nickel Alloy Alloy 120 vs Inconel 600
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Alloy 120 and Inconel 600 are both nickel alloy grades. Alloy 120 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 331 MPa (48 ksi) against 255 MPa (37 ksi) for Inconel 600, about 30% more; tensile strength follows at 758 MPa (110 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). Alloy 120 is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 42% for Inconel 600, and Alloy 120 is harder (165 HB vs 150 HB). Alloy 120 is lighter (8.06 g/cm³ vs 8.47 g/cm³ for Inconel 600) and Inconel 600 is stiffer (214 GPa vs 197 GPa).
Alloy 120Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Alloy 120 vs Inconel 600: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all nickel alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all nickel alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Same in both: Shear Modulus 76 GPa11 Msi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Latent Heat of Fusion
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 40%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 3
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every nickel alloy grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Alloy 120 | Inconel 600 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Alloy 120 vs Inconel 600 — frequently asked
Is Alloy 120 stronger than Inconel 600?
Yes. Alloy 120 has a typical yield strength of 331 MPa (48 ksi) against 255 MPa (37 ksi) for Inconel 600 — about 30% more. Tensile strength is 758 MPa (110 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Alloy 120 or Inconel 600?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Alloy 120 or Inconel 600?
Inconel 600, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 22/100 for Alloy 120; for welding the order is Inconel 600 first (very good, 80/100) then Alloy 120 (very good, 75/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 120 and Inconel 600 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.