Nickel Alloy BNi-1 vs BNi-4
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy BNi-1 and BNi-4 are both nickel alloy grades. BNi-1 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for BNi-4, about 22% more. In exchange, BNi-4 is the more ductile: elongation 2% versus 1% for BNi-1, and BNi-1 is harder (52 HRC vs 33 HRC). BNi-1 is lighter (7.89 g/cm³ vs 8.2 g/cm³ for BNi-4) and BNi-1 is stiffer (200 GPa vs 190 GPa).
BNi-1Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
BNi-4Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
BNi-1 vs BNi-4: 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
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
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
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 900°C1,652 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1.1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m43.3 µΩ·in
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
Polishability
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)
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 | BNi-1 | BNi-4 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
BNi-1 vs BNi-4 — frequently asked
Is BNi-1 stronger than BNi-4?
Yes. BNi-1 has a typical tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for BNi-4 — about 22% more.
Which is cheaper, BNi-1 or BNi-4?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, BNi-1 or BNi-4?
BNi-4, by a small margin. Both rate not recommended for machinability — 12/100 against 6/100 for BNi-1; for welding the order is BNi-4 first (poor, 15/100) then BNi-1 (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BNi-1 and BNi-4 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.