Nickel Alloy Alloy 22 vs Alloy 686
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Alloy 22 and Alloy 686 are both nickel alloy grades. Alloy 22 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for Alloy 686, about 5% more; tensile strength follows at 800 MPa (116 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi). Alloy 22 is harder — 200 HB against 190 HB for Alloy 686 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Alloy 686 runs hotter in service (1,000°C vs 675°C continuous).
Alloy 22Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Alloy 686Choose it when the part sees heat.
Alloy 22 vs Alloy 686: 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
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Reduction in Area 65% · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 250 J184 ft·lbf · Hardness, Rockwell B 88 HRB
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
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 12% · Formability (cold) 70 / 100 · Polishability 75 / 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 686 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Alloy 22 vs Alloy 686 — frequently asked
Is Alloy 22 stronger than Alloy 686?
Yes. Alloy 22 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for Alloy 686 — about 5% more. Tensile strength is 800 MPa (116 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Alloy 22 or Alloy 686?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, 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 686?
Alloy 22. Its weldability rates excellent (85/100) against very good (80/100) for Alloy 686.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 22 and Alloy 686 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.