Nickel Alloy Alloy 333 vs Nimonic 115
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Alloy 333 and Nimonic 115 are both nickel alloy grades. Nimonic 115 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 865 MPa (125 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Alloy 333, about 179% more; tensile strength follows at 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi). In exchange, Alloy 333 is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 25% for Nimonic 115, and Nimonic 115 is harder (360 HB vs 190 HB). Nimonic 115 is lighter (7.85 g/cm³ vs 8.14 g/cm³ for Alloy 333) and Nimonic 115 is stiffer (224 GPa vs 203 GPa). On the shop floor, Alloy 333 machines more easily (poor vs not recommended) and Alloy 333 welds better (very good vs not recommended).
Alloy 333Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Nimonic 115Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Alloy 333 vs Nimonic 115: 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
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Rockwell C
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)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
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) -0.15 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: 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 333 | Nimonic 115 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Alloy 333 vs Nimonic 115 — frequently asked
Is Nimonic 115 stronger than Alloy 333?
Yes. Nimonic 115 has a typical yield strength of 865 MPa (125 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Alloy 333 — about 179% more. Tensile strength is 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Alloy 333 or Nimonic 115?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, 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 115?
Alloy 333. Its machinability rates poor (25/100) against not recommended (10/100) for Nimonic 115; for welding the order is Alloy 333 first (very good, 78/100) then Nimonic 115 (not recommended, 8/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 333 and Nimonic 115 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.