Nickel Alloy Alloy 242-AW vs Alloy 242-CD
Nickel Alloy · Alloy 242 temper comparison
Alloy 242-AW and Alloy 242-CD are two conditions of the same nickel alloy grade, Alloy 242: AW (as-welded deposit) versus CD (cold drawn). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Alloy 242-CD is the stronger of the two: yield strength 750 MPa (109 ksi) against 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) for Alloy 242-AW, about 74% more; tensile strength follows at 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 790 MPa (115 ksi). In exchange, Alloy 242-AW is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 22% for Alloy 242-CD, and Alloy 242-CD is harder (286 HB vs 228 HB). Alloy 242-AW runs hotter in service (815°C vs 540°C continuous). On the shop floor, Alloy 242-AW welds better (good vs fair).
Alloy 242-AWChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Alloy 242-CDChoose it when strength drives the design.
Alloy 242-AW vs Alloy 242-CD: 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.
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
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 217 GPa31.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 83 GPa12 Msi · Bulk Modulus 190 GPa27.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.31 · Reduction in Area 40%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 9.05 g/cm³0.33 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,320°C2,408 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,353°C2,467 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 9 W/m·K5.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 398 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11.2 µm/m·K6.2 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.1 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Machinability 16 / 100 · Castability 35 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 170 MJ/kg73,087 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 14 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 160 L/kg19.2 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%
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.
Alloy 242-AW vs Alloy 242-CD — frequently asked
Is Alloy 242-CD stronger than Alloy 242-AW?
Yes. Alloy 242-CD has a typical yield strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) against 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) for Alloy 242-AW — about 74% more. Tensile strength is 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 790 MPa (115 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, AW or CD?
SA is the default Alloy 242 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither AW nor CD). The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which welds better, Alloy 242-AW or Alloy 242-CD?
Alloy 242-AW. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against fair (45/100) for Alloy 242-CD.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 242-AW and Alloy 242-CD 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.