Nickel Alloy Alloy 22 vs Alloy 242
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Alloy 22 and Alloy 242 are both nickel alloy grades. Alloy 22 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 375 MPa (54.4 ksi) for Alloy 242, about 7% more. Alloy 22 is the more ductile: elongation 62% versus 48% for Alloy 242, and Alloy 242 is harder (215 HB vs 200 HB). Alloy 22 is lighter (8.69 g/cm³ vs 9.05 g/cm³ for Alloy 242) and Alloy 242 is stiffer (217 GPa vs 206 GPa). On the shop floor, Alloy 22 welds better (excellent vs good).
Alloy 22Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Alloy 242Choose it when the part sees heat.
Alloy 22 vs Alloy 242: 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
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Strength 520 MPa75.4 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 340 MPa49.3 ksi
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)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
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
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 12% · Castability 35 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
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 22 | Alloy 242 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Alloy 22 vs Alloy 242 — frequently asked
Is Alloy 22 stronger than Alloy 242?
Yes. Alloy 22 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 375 MPa (54.4 ksi) for Alloy 242 — about 7% more. Tensile strength is 800 MPa (116 ksi) vs 805 MPa (117 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Alloy 22 or Alloy 242?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, Alloy 22 or Alloy 242?
Alloy 22. Its weldability rates excellent (85/100) against good (60/100) for Alloy 242.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 22 and Alloy 242 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.