Nickel Alloy Alumel vs Chromel
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Alumel and Chromel are both nickel alloy grades. Chromel is the stronger of the two: yield strength 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) against 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) for Alumel, about 20% more; tensile strength follows at 655 MPa (95 ksi) vs 570 MPa (82.7 ksi). Chromel is harder — 150 HB against 135 HB for Alumel — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Alumel conducts heat better (29.7 W/m·K vs 19.2 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Chromel welds better (very good vs good) and Chromel forms better (excellent vs very good).
ChromelChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Alumel vs Chromel: 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.
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Reduction in Area
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 186 GPa27 Msi · Shear Modulus 72 GPa10.4 Msi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 1,430°C2,606 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 1,100°C2,012 °F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
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
Polishability
Castability
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 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 | Alumel | Chromel |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Alumel vs Chromel — frequently asked
Is Chromel stronger than Alumel?
Yes. Chromel has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) against 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) for Alumel — about 20% more. Tensile strength is 655 MPa (95 ksi) vs 570 MPa (82.7 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Alumel or Chromel?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, Alumel or Chromel?
Chromel. Its weldability rates very good (75/100) against good (60/100) for Alumel.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alumel and Chromel 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.