Nickel Alloy Alloy 908 vs Mu-metal
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Alloy 908 and Mu-metal are both nickel alloy grades. Alloy 908 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for Mu-metal, about 56% more; tensile strength follows at 800 MPa (116 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi). Alloy 908 is harder — 195 HB against 115 HB for Mu-metal — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Alloy 908 is lighter (8.17 g/cm³ vs 8.74 g/cm³ for Mu-metal) and Mu-metal is stiffer (215 GPa vs 162 GPa). On the shop floor, Mu-metal forms better (very good vs good).
Alloy 908Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Alloy 908 vs Mu-metal: 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)
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elongation at Break 40%
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
Latent Heat of Fusion
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) -0.2 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Castability
Same in both: Machinability 25 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 25%
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 908 | Mu-metal |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Alloy 908 vs Mu-metal — frequently asked
Is Alloy 908 stronger than Mu-metal?
Yes. Alloy 908 has a typical yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for Mu-metal — about 56% more. Tensile strength is 800 MPa (116 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Alloy 908 or Mu-metal?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, Alloy 908 or Mu-metal?
Alloy 908. Its weldability rates good (60/100) against good (55/100) for Mu-metal.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 908 and Mu-metal 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.