Nickel Alloy Alloy 686 vs Hastelloy C276
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Alloy 686 and Hastelloy C276 are both nickel alloy grades. Alloy 686 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for Hastelloy C276, about 6% more. Alloy 686 runs hotter in service (1,000°C vs 650°C continuous) and Hastelloy C276 conducts heat better (10.2 W/m·K vs 9.1 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Hastelloy C276 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Alloy 686 (high, $$$$).
Alloy 686Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Hastelloy C276Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.
Alloy 686 vs Hastelloy C276: 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
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Same in both: Shear Modulus 79 GPa11.5 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.31 · Elongation at Break 60% · Reduction in Area 65% · Shear Strength 480 MPa69.6 ksi
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)
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb · 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)
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 95 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Machinability 18 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 12% · Polishability 75 / 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 Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 2.7 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 686 | Hastelloy C276 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Solution Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | 1.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| HVOF Coating | — | Yes |
They share 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Alloy 686 vs Hastelloy C276 — frequently asked
Is Alloy 686 stronger than Hastelloy C276?
Yes. Alloy 686 has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for Hastelloy C276 — about 6% more. Tensile strength is 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 790 MPa (115 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Alloy 686 or Hastelloy C276?
Hastelloy C276 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Alloy 686 is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which welds better, Alloy 686 or Hastelloy C276?
Hastelloy C276. Its weldability rates excellent (85/100) against very good (80/100) for Alloy 686.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 686 and Hastelloy C276 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.