Nickel Alloy Alumel vs NiCr80/20
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Alumel and NiCr80/20 are both nickel alloy grades. NiCr80/20 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) for Alumel, about 74% more; tensile strength follows at 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 570 MPa (82.7 ksi). NiCr80/20 is harder — 160 HB against 135 HB for Alumel — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. NiCr80/20 is stiffer (218 GPa vs 186 GPa) and Alumel conducts heat better (29.7 W/m·K vs 11.3 W/m·K). On the shop floor, NiCr80/20 welds better (very good vs good) and NiCr80/20 forms better (excellent vs very good).
NiCr80/20Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Alumel vs NiCr80/20: 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
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
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3
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)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
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
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Castability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20% · Polishability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 11.5 kg CO₂/kg
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 | NiCr80/20 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Alumel vs NiCr80/20 — frequently asked
Is NiCr80/20 stronger than Alumel?
Yes. NiCr80/20 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) for Alumel — about 74% more. Tensile strength is 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 570 MPa (82.7 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Alumel or NiCr80/20?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Alumel or NiCr80/20?
Alumel, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for NiCr80/20; for welding the order is NiCr80/20 first (very good, 72/100) then Alumel (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alumel and NiCr80/20 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.