Nickel Alloy Alloy 48 vs Alloy 52
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Alloy 48 and Alloy 52 are both nickel alloy grades. Alloy 52 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) against 200 MPa (29 ksi) for Alloy 48, about 40% more. Alloy 52 is harder — 150 HB against 125 HB for Alloy 48 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Alloy 52 runs hotter in service (500°C vs 400°C continuous).
Alloy 52Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Alloy 48 vs Alloy 52: 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)
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Compressive Strength
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Elongation at Break 35%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,450°C2,642 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 13.5 W/m·K7.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability 30 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 7.5 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 30%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 3.3 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Alloy 48 | Alloy 52 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Alloy 48 vs Alloy 52 — frequently asked
Is Alloy 52 stronger than Alloy 48?
Yes. Alloy 52 has a typical yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) against 200 MPa (29 ksi) for Alloy 48 — about 40% more. Tensile strength is 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) vs 500 MPa (72.5 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Alloy 48 or Alloy 52?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, Alloy 48 or Alloy 52?
Alloy 52. Its weldability rates very good (70/100) against good (65/100) for Alloy 48.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 48 and Alloy 52 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.