Nickel Alloy Alloy 242 vs Hastelloy X
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Alloy 242 and Hastelloy X are both nickel alloy grades. Alloy 242 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 805 MPa (117 ksi) against 755 MPa (110 ksi) for Hastelloy X, about 7% more. Alloy 242 is the more ductile: elongation 48% versus 43% for Hastelloy X, and Alloy 242 is harder (215 HB vs 195 HB). Hastelloy X is lighter (8.22 g/cm³ vs 9.05 g/cm³ for Alloy 242) and Alloy 242 is stiffer (217 GPa vs 205 GPa). On the shop floor, Hastelloy X welds better (excellent vs good) and Hastelloy X sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Alloy 242 (high, $$$$).
Alloy 242Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Hastelloy XChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
Alloy 242 vs Hastelloy X: 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
Poisson's Ratio
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
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 190 GPa27.6 Msi · Reduction in Area 55%
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).
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.
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Machinability 18 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 12% · Polishability 70 / 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
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | Hastelloy X |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| 3D printing | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Solution Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | 1.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| HVOF Coating | — | Yes |
They share 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Alloy 242 vs Hastelloy X — frequently asked
Is Alloy 242 stronger than Hastelloy X?
Yes. Alloy 242 has a typical tensile strength of 805 MPa (117 ksi) against 755 MPa (110 ksi) for Hastelloy X — about 7% more.
Which is cheaper, Alloy 242 or Hastelloy X?
Hastelloy X is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Alloy 242 is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which welds better, Alloy 242 or Hastelloy X?
Hastelloy X. 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 242 and Hastelloy X 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.