Nickel Alloy Alumel-CD vs Alumel TC-SPL
Nickel Alloy · Alumel temper comparison
Alumel-CD and Alumel TC-SPL are two conditions of the same nickel alloy grade, Alumel: CD (cold drawn) versus TC-SPL (thermocouple grade, special limits of error). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Alumel-CD is the stronger of the two: yield strength 700 MPa (102 ksi) against 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) for Alumel TC-SPL, about 3.0 times as much; tensile strength follows at 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 570 MPa (82.7 ksi). In exchange, Alumel TC-SPL is the more ductile: elongation 32% versus 6% for Alumel-CD, and Alumel-CD is harder (228 HB vs 135 HB). Alumel TC-SPL runs hotter in service (1,260°C vs 1,100°C continuous).
Alumel-CDChoose it when strength drives the design.
Alumel TC-SPLChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Alumel-CD vs Alumel TC-SPL: 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.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 186 GPa27 Msi · Shear Modulus 72 GPa10.4 Msi · Bulk Modulus 155 GPa22.5 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8.6 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,399°C2,550 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,430°C2,606 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 523 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.9 µm/m·K7.2 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F
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) -0.25 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 160 MJ/kg68,788 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 11.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 15%
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.
Alumel-CD vs Alumel TC-SPL — frequently asked
Is Alumel-CD stronger than Alumel TC-SPL?
Yes. Alumel-CD has a typical yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) against 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) for Alumel TC-SPL — about 3.0 times as much. Tensile strength is 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 570 MPa (82.7 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CD or TC-SPL?
ANN is the default Alumel condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither CD nor TC-SPL). The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which is easier to machine, Alumel-CD or Alumel TC-SPL?
Alumel-CD. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (30/100) for Alumel TC-SPL; for welding the order is Alumel TC-SPL first (good, 55/100) then Alumel-CD (fair, 50/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alumel-CD and Alumel TC-SPL 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.