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Nickel Alloy BNi-1 vs BNi-5

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy BNi-1 and BNi-5 are both nickel alloy grades. BNi-5 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for BNi-1, about 13% more. BNi-5 is the more ductile: elongation 2% versus 1% for BNi-1, and BNi-1 is harder (52 HRC vs 45 HRC). BNi-5 runs hotter in service (980°C vs 900°C continuous) and BNi-1 conducts heat better (16 W/m·K vs 13 W/m·K).

BNi-5Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

BNi-1 vs BNi-5: properties

BNi-1BNi-5

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
195 GPa28.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

77 GPa11.2 Msi
76 GPa11 Msi

Bulk Modulus

170 GPa24.7 Msi
—

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

500 MPa72.5 ksi
—

Elongation at Break

1%
2%

Reduction in Area

1%
—

Compressive Strength

1,600 MPa232 ksi
—

Shear Strength

270 MPa39.2 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

180 MPa26.1 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

20 MPa·√m18.2 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

2 J1.5 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

520 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

52 HRC
45 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

550 HV
450 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.89 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

977°C1,791 °F
1,080°C1,976 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,038°C1,900 °F
1,135°C2,075 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

16 W/m·K9.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
13 W/m·K7.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

450 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.5 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F
13.5 µm/m·K7.5 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

290 J/g125 BTU/lb
—

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

900°C1,652 °F
980°C1,796 °F

Min Service Temperature

-100°C-148 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.6 % IACS
—

Electrical Resistivity

1.1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m43.3 µΩ·in
1.2×10⁻⁶ Ω·m47.2 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.28 V
—

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
72 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

6 / 100
10 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

5%
—

Weldability

10 / 100
15 / 100

Formability (cold)

3 / 100
—

Castability

55 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
88 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb
165 MJ/kg70,937 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

15 kg CO₂/kg
13 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

10%
15%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

70 kN·m/kg
79 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.3 MN·m/kg
25 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

4.5 mm²/s
3.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

4
3

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.

2005001,0006.577.588.59Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleBNi-1

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBNi-1BNi-5
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-5 — frequently asked

Is BNi-5 stronger than BNi-1?

Yes. BNi-5 has a typical tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for BNi-1 — about 13% more.

Which is cheaper, BNi-1 or BNi-5?

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, BNi-1 or BNi-5?

BNi-5. Its weldability rates poor (15/100) against not recommended (10/100) for BNi-1.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BNi-1 and BNi-5 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.