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Nickel Alloy Alloy 689 vs Inconel 725

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy Alloy 689 and Inconel 725 are both nickel alloy grades. Inconel 725 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 890 MPa (129 ksi) against 840 MPa (122 ksi) for Alloy 689, about 6% more. Inconel 725 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 16% for Alloy 689. Alloy 689 runs hotter in service (815°C vs 650°C continuous). On the shop floor, Inconel 725 welds better (good vs poor).

Alloy 689Choose it when the part sees heat.

Inconel 725Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Alloy 689 vs Inconel 725: properties

Alloy 689Inconel 725

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

206 GPa29.9 Msi
204 GPa29.6 Msi

Bulk Modulus

172 GPa24.9 Msi
162 GPa23.5 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.29

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

840 MPa122 ksi
890 MPa129 ksi

Elongation at Break

16%
25%

Reduction in Area

20%
42%

Shear Strength

750 MPa109 ksi
740 MPa107 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

25 J18.4 ft·lbf
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

331 HB
330 HB

Hardness, Vickers

350 HV
345 HV

Compressive Strength

—
920 MPa133 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in

Same in both: Shear Modulus 79 GPa11.5 Msi · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 1,240 MPa180 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 480 MPa69.6 ksi · Hardness, Rockwell C 35 HRC

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.27 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
8.31 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,315°C2,399 °F
1,271°C2,320 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,385°C2,525 °F
1,343°C2,449 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

11.7 W/m·K6.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
10.8 W/m·K6.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
435 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F
12.8 µm/m·K7.1 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

815°C1,499 °F
650°C1,202 °F

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

1.5 % IACS
1.4 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.19×10⁻⁶ Ω·m46.9 µΩ·in
1.2×10⁻⁶ Ω·m47.2 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
88 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.1 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

13 / 100
14 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

12%
10%

Weldability

30 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

35 / 100
25 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

40 / 100
50 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
75 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

230 MJ/kg98,882 BTU/lb
250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

15 kg CO₂/kg
18 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

150 kN·m/kg
149 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.9 MN·m/kg
24.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,713 kJ/m³
1,941 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.4 mm²/s
3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

6
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 689Inconel 725

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAlloy 689Inconel 725
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 689 vs Inconel 725 — frequently asked

Is Inconel 725 stronger than Alloy 689?

Yes. Inconel 725 has a typical yield strength of 890 MPa (129 ksi) against 840 MPa (122 ksi) for Alloy 689 — about 6% more. Tensile strength is 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 1,240 MPa (180 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Alloy 689 or Inconel 725?

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 689 or Inconel 725?

Inconel 725. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against poor (30/100) for Alloy 689.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 689 and Inconel 725 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.