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Nickel Alloy Alloy 333 vs Inconel 617

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy Alloy 333 and Inconel 617 are both nickel alloy grades. Inconel 617 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Alloy 333, about 6% more; tensile strength follows at 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi). Inconel 617 is the more ductile: elongation 58% versus 50% for Alloy 333, and Alloy 333 is harder (190 HB vs 173 HB). Inconel 617 conducts heat better (13.6 W/m·K vs 11 W/m·K).

Inconel 617Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Alloy 333 vs Inconel 617: properties

Alloy 333Inconel 617

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

203 GPa29.4 Msi
211 GPa30.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

78 GPa11.3 Msi
81 GPa11.7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

165 GPa23.9 Msi
176 GPa25.5 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.31
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

690 MPa100 ksi
760 MPa110 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

310 MPa45 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

50%
58%

Reduction in Area

55%
60%

Compressive Strength

320 MPa46.4 ksi
—

Shear Strength

450 MPa65.3 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

290 MPa42.1 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in
150 MPa·√m137 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

150 J111 ft·lbf
130 J95.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

190 HB
173 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

90 HRB
88 HRB

Hardness, Rockwell C

10 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

200 HV
—

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.14 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
8.36 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,330°C2,426 °F
1,332°C2,430 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,400°C2,552 °F
1,380°C2,516 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

11 W/m·K6.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
13.6 W/m·K7.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
419 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

13.9 µm/m·K7.7 µin/in·°F
11.6 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

285 J/g123 BTU/lb
290 J/g125 BTU/lb

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 1,100°C2,012 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.5 % IACS
1.4 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.16×10⁻⁶ Ω·m45.7 µΩ·in
1.22×10⁻⁶ Ω·m48 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.15 V
-0.05 V

Corrosion Resistance

72 / 100
80 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
18 / 100

Weldability

78 / 100
75 / 100

Formability (cold)

70 / 100
65 / 100

Castability

40 / 100
35 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

65 / 100
70 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 12% · Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

165 MJ/kg70,937 BTU/lb
190 MJ/kg81,685 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

12.5 kg CO₂/kg
13 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

35%
40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

85 kN·m/kg
91 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.9 MN·m/kg
25.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

237 kJ/m³
258 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

2.9 mm²/s
3.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

3
4

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 333Inconel 617

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAlloy 333Inconel 617
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 333 vs Inconel 617 — frequently asked

Is Inconel 617 stronger than Alloy 333?

Yes. Inconel 617 has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Alloy 333 — about 6% more. Tensile strength is 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Alloy 333 or Inconel 617?

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 333 or Inconel 617?

Alloy 333, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 25/100 against 18/100 for Inconel 617.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 333 and Inconel 617 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.