Nickel Alloy Alumel vs Nitinol
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Alumel and Nitinol are both nickel alloy grades. Nitinol 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 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 570 MPa (82.7 ksi). Nitinol is harder — 250 HV against 150 HV for Alumel — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Nitinol is lighter (6.45 g/cm³ vs 8.6 g/cm³ for Alumel) and Alumel is stiffer (186 GPa vs 75 GPa). On the shop floor, Alumel machines more easily (poor vs not recommended), Alumel welds better (good vs fair), and Alumel forms better (very good vs fair).
AlumelChoose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.
NitinolChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Alumel vs Nitinol: 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)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell C
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).
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)
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 | Nitinol |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | O |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | 1.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| HVOF Coating | — | Yes |
They share 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Alumel vs Nitinol — frequently asked
Is Nitinol stronger than Alumel?
Yes. Nitinol has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) for Alumel — about 74% more. Tensile strength is 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 570 MPa (82.7 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Alumel or Nitinol?
Nitinol is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Alumel is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, Alumel or Nitinol?
Alumel. Its machinability rates poor (30/100) against not recommended (12/100) for Nitinol; for welding the order is Alumel first (good, 60/100) then Nitinol (fair, 35/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alumel and Nitinol 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.