Nickel Alloy Alloy 242 vs Alloy 686
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Alloy 242 and Alloy 686 are both nickel alloy grades. Alloy 242 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 805 MPa (117 ksi) against 760 MPa (110 ksi) for Alloy 686, about 6% more. In exchange, Alloy 686 is the more ductile: elongation 60% versus 48% for Alloy 242, and Alloy 242 is harder (215 HB vs 190 HB). Alloy 686 is lighter (8.73 g/cm³ vs 9.05 g/cm³ for Alloy 242) and Alloy 686 runs hotter in service (1,000°C vs 815°C continuous). On the shop floor, Alloy 686 welds better (very good vs good).
Alloy 242Choose it when strength drives the design.
Alloy 686Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
Alloy 242 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
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 Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 1.4 % IACS
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
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability 18 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 12% · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 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 242 | Alloy 686 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Alloy 242 vs Alloy 686 — frequently asked
Is Alloy 242 stronger than Alloy 686?
Yes. Alloy 242 has a typical tensile strength of 805 MPa (117 ksi) against 760 MPa (110 ksi) for Alloy 686 — about 6% more.
Which is cheaper, Alloy 242 or Alloy 686?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, Alloy 242 or Alloy 686?
Alloy 686. Its weldability rates very good (80/100) 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 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.