Nickel Alloy Alloy 52 vs Alloy 908
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Alloy 52 and Alloy 908 are both nickel alloy grades. Alloy 908 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) against 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) for Alloy 52, about 39% more; tensile strength follows at 800 MPa (116 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi). Alloy 908 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 35% for Alloy 52, and Alloy 908 is harder (195 HB vs 150 HB). Alloy 908 is stiffer (162 GPa vs 150 GPa) and Alloy 908 runs hotter in service (600°C vs 500°C continuous). On the shop floor, Alloy 52 welds better (very good vs good).
Alloy 52Choose it when it will be welded.
Alloy 908Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Alloy 52 vs Alloy 908: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
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)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 220 L/kg26.4 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 3.3 mm²/s
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 52 | Alloy 908 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Alloy 52 vs Alloy 908 — frequently asked
Is Alloy 908 stronger than Alloy 52?
Yes. Alloy 908 has a typical yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) against 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) for Alloy 52 — about 39% more. Tensile strength is 800 MPa (116 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Alloy 52 or Alloy 908?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Alloy 52 or Alloy 908?
Alloy 52, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for Alloy 908; for welding the order is Alloy 52 first (very good, 70/100) then Alloy 908 (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 52 and Alloy 908 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.