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Nickel Alloy Alloy 333 vs Nimonic 105

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy Alloy 333 and Nimonic 105 are both nickel alloy grades. Nimonic 105 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 810 MPa (117 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Alloy 333, about 161% more; tensile strength follows at 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi). In exchange, Alloy 333 is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 22% for Nimonic 105, and Nimonic 105 is harder (333 HB vs 190 HB). Nimonic 105 is stiffer (222 GPa vs 203 GPa) and Alloy 333 runs hotter in service (1,100°C vs 950°C continuous). On the shop floor, Alloy 333 machines more easily (poor vs not recommended) and Alloy 333 welds better (very good vs poor).

Alloy 333Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

Nimonic 105Choose it when strength drives the design.

Alloy 333 vs Nimonic 105: properties

Alloy 333Nimonic 105

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

203 GPa29.4 Msi
222 GPa32.2 Msi

Shear Modulus

78 GPa11.3 Msi
85 GPa12.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

165 GPa23.9 Msi
185 GPa26.8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.31
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

690 MPa100 ksi
1,150 MPa167 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

310 MPa45 ksi
810 MPa117 ksi

Elongation at Break

50%
22%

Reduction in Area

55%
25%

Compressive Strength

320 MPa46.4 ksi
—

Shear Strength

450 MPa65.3 ksi
700 MPa102 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

290 MPa42.1 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in
90 MPa·√m81.9 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

150 J111 ft·lbf
25 J18.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

190 HB
333 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

90 HRB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

10 HRC
36 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

200 HV
350 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.14 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
8 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,330°C2,426 °F
1,290°C2,354 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,400°C2,552 °F
1,345°C2,453 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

11 W/m·K6.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
10.7 W/m·K6.2 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
11.8 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

285 J/g123 BTU/lb
—

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,100°C2,012 °F
950°C1,742 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.5 % IACS
—

Electrical Resistivity

1.16×10⁻⁶ Ω·m45.7 µΩ·in
1.3×10⁻⁶ Ω·m51.2 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

72 / 100
70 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.15 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
12 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

12%
8%

Weldability

78 / 100
15 / 100

Formability (cold)

70 / 100
12 / 100

Castability

40 / 100
35 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

65 / 100
40 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

165 MJ/kg70,937 BTU/lb
235 MJ/kg101,032 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

12.5 kg CO₂/kg
16 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

35%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

85 kN·m/kg
144 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.9 MN·m/kg
27.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

237 kJ/m³
1,478 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

2.9 mm²/s
3.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

3
5

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 333Nimonic 105

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAlloy 333Nimonic 105
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 Nimonic 105 — frequently asked

Is Nimonic 105 stronger than Alloy 333?

Yes. Nimonic 105 has a typical yield strength of 810 MPa (117 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Alloy 333 — about 161% more. Tensile strength is 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Alloy 333 or Nimonic 105?

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 Nimonic 105?

Alloy 333. Its machinability rates poor (25/100) against not recommended (12/100) for Nimonic 105; for welding the order is Alloy 333 first (very good, 78/100) then Nimonic 105 (poor, 15/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 333 and Nimonic 105 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.