Nickel Alloy Alloy 120 vs Inconel 625
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Alloy 120 and Inconel 625 are both nickel alloy grades. Inconel 625 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) against 331 MPa (48 ksi) for Alloy 120, about 48% more; tensile strength follows at 930 MPa (135 ksi) vs 758 MPa (110 ksi). In exchange, Alloy 120 is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 45% for Inconel 625, and Inconel 625 is harder (190 HB vs 165 HB). Alloy 120 is lighter (8.06 g/cm³ vs 8.44 g/cm³ for Inconel 625) and Inconel 625 is stiffer (207.5 GPa vs 197 GPa). On the shop floor, Inconel 625 welds better (excellent vs very good) and Inconel 625 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Alloy 120 (high, $$$$).
Alloy 120Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
Inconel 625Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.
Alloy 120 vs Inconel 625: 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
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Reduction in Area 55%
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)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
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 625 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| 3D printing | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | O |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | 1.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| HVOF Coating | — | Yes |
They share 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Alloy 120 vs Inconel 625 — frequently asked
Is Inconel 625 stronger than Alloy 120?
Yes. Inconel 625 has a typical yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) against 331 MPa (48 ksi) for Alloy 120 — about 48% more. Tensile strength is 930 MPa (135 ksi) vs 758 MPa (110 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Alloy 120 or Inconel 625?
Inconel 625 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Alloy 120 is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which welds better, Alloy 120 or Inconel 625?
Inconel 625. Its weldability rates excellent (88/100) against very good (75/100) for Alloy 120.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 120 and Inconel 625 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.