Nickel Alloy Astroloy vs Waspaloy
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Astroloy and Waspaloy are both nickel alloy grades. Astroloy is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) against 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for Waspaloy, about 102% more; tensile strength follows at 1,415 MPa (205 ksi) vs 930 MPa (135 ksi). In exchange, Waspaloy is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 16% for Astroloy, and Astroloy is harder (375 HB vs 250 HB). Astroloy is lighter (7.91 g/cm³ vs 8.19 g/cm³ for Waspaloy) and Astroloy runs hotter in service (815°C vs 650°C continuous). On the shop floor, Waspaloy welds better (fair vs not recommended) and Waspaloy sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Astroloy (high, $$$$).
AstroloyChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
WaspaloyChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
Astroloy vs Waspaloy: 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
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
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)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb
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)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb
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 | Astroloy | Waspaloy |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Solution Annealed |
| 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.
Astroloy vs Waspaloy — frequently asked
Is Astroloy stronger than Waspaloy?
Yes. Astroloy has a typical yield strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) against 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for Waspaloy — about 102% more. Tensile strength is 1,415 MPa (205 ksi) vs 930 MPa (135 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Astroloy or Waspaloy?
Waspaloy is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Astroloy is high ($$$$). 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, Astroloy or Waspaloy?
Waspaloy. Its machinability rates poor (18/100) against not recommended (12/100) for Astroloy; for welding the order is Waspaloy first (fair, 35/100) then Astroloy (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Astroloy and Waspaloy 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.