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Nickel Alloy Alloy 30 vs Alloy 59

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy Alloy 30 and Alloy 59 are both nickel alloy grades. Alloy 59 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for Alloy 30, about 13% more; tensile strength follows at 740 MPa (107 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi). In exchange, Alloy 30 is the more ductile: elongation 58% versus 50% for Alloy 59, and Alloy 59 is harder (200 HB vs 170 HB). Alloy 30 is lighter (8.22 g/cm³ vs 8.6 g/cm³ for Alloy 59) and Alloy 59 runs hotter in service (1,000°C vs 675°C continuous).

Alloy 30Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

Alloy 59Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

Alloy 30 vs Alloy 59: properties

Alloy 30Alloy 59

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
210 GPa30.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

77 GPa11.2 Msi
80 GPa11.6 Msi

Bulk Modulus

167 GPa24.2 Msi
184 GPa26.7 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.31

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

690 MPa100 ksi
740 MPa107 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

320 MPa46.4 ksi
360 MPa52.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

58%
50%

Reduction in Area

60%
65%

Shear Strength

430 MPa62.4 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

170 HB
200 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

87 HRB
92 HRB

Compressive Strength

—
360 MPa52.2 ksi

Hardness, Vickers

—
210 HV

Same in both: Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 300 MPa43.5 ksi · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 200 J148 ft·lbf

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.22 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
8.6 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,290°C2,354 °F
1,310°C2,390 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,370°C2,498 °F
1,360°C2,480 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

10.1 W/m·K5.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
10.4 W/m·K6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

435 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.8 µm/m·K7.1 µin/in·°F
12.4 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

675°C1,247 °F
1,000°C1,832 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.5 % IACS
1.3 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.18×10⁻⁶ Ω·m46.5 µΩ·in
1.29×10⁻⁶ Ω·m50.8 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.12 V
-0.08 V

Corrosion Resistance

88 / 100
93 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

25 / 100
18 / 100

Weldability

80 / 100
88 / 100

Castability

40 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
80 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 12% · Formability (cold) 75 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

140 MJ/kg60,189 BTU/lb
180 MJ/kg77,386 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

13 kg CO₂/kg
14 kg CO₂/kg

Same in both: Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

84 kN·m/kg
86 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.3 MN·m/kg
24.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

256 kJ/m³
309 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

2.8 mm²/s
2.9 mm²/s

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.

2005001,0006.577.588.59Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleAlloy 30Alloy 59

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAlloy 30Alloy 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 30 vs Alloy 59 — frequently asked

Is Alloy 59 stronger than Alloy 30?

Yes. Alloy 59 has a typical yield strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for Alloy 30 — about 13% more. Tensile strength is 740 MPa (107 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Alloy 30 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 is easier to machine, Alloy 30 or Alloy 59?

Alloy 30, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 25/100 against 18/100 for Alloy 59; for welding the order is Alloy 59 first (excellent, 88/100) then Alloy 30 (very good, 80/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 30 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.