Nickel Alloy Alloy 242 vs Alloy 59
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Alloy 242 and Alloy 59 are both nickel alloy grades. Alloy 242 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 805 MPa (117 ksi) against 740 MPa (107 ksi) for Alloy 59, about 9% more. Alloy 242 is harder — 215 HB against 200 HB for Alloy 59 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Alloy 59 is lighter (8.6 g/cm³ vs 9.05 g/cm³ for Alloy 242) and Alloy 59 runs hotter in service (1,000°C vs 815°C continuous). On the shop floor, Alloy 59 welds better (excellent vs good) and Alloy 59 forms better (very good vs good).
Alloy 242Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Alloy 59Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
Alloy 242 vs Alloy 59: 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
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
Compressive Strength
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.31
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)
Latent Heat of Fusion
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.
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability 18 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 12%
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 14 kg CO₂/kg
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 242 | Alloy 59 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Alloy 242 vs Alloy 59 — frequently asked
Is Alloy 242 stronger than Alloy 59?
Yes. Alloy 242 has a typical tensile strength of 805 MPa (117 ksi) against 740 MPa (107 ksi) for Alloy 59 — about 9% more.
Which is cheaper, Alloy 242 or Alloy 59?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, Alloy 242 or Alloy 59?
Alloy 59. Its weldability rates excellent (88/100) against good (60/100) for Alloy 242.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 242 and Alloy 59 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.