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Nickel Alloy BNi-1 vs BNi-6

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy BNi-1 and BNi-6 are both nickel alloy grades. BNi-1 is harder — 550 HV against 520 HV for BNi-6 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. BNi-1 is stiffer (200 GPa vs 130 GPa) and BNi-1 runs hotter in service (900°C vs 425°C continuous).

BNi-1Choose it when surface hardness matters, or when the part sees heat.

BNi-1 vs BNi-6: properties

BNi-1BNi-6

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
130 GPa18.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

77 GPa11.2 Msi
—

Bulk Modulus

170 GPa24.7 Msi
—

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
—

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

500 MPa72.5 ksi
—

Elongation at Break

1%
—

Reduction in Area

1%
—

Compressive Strength

1,600 MPa232 ksi
—

Shear Strength

270 MPa39.2 ksi
200 MPa29 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
—

Hardness, Vickers

550 HV
520 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

977°C1,791 °F
875°C1,607 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,038°C1,900 °F
875°C1,607 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

16 W/m·K9.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
10 W/m·K5.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.5 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F
13 µm/m·K7.2 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

290 J/g125 BTU/lb
—

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

900°C1,652 °F
425°C797 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -100°C-148 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.6 % IACS
—

Electrical Resistivity

1.1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m43.3 µΩ·in
1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m39.4 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.28 V
—

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
35 / 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%
—

Formability (cold)

3 / 100
—

Castability

55 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
95 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
50 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 10 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb
155 MJ/kg66,638 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

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 10%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.3 MN·m/kg
16.9 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

4.5 mm²/s
3 mm²/s

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-6
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-6 — frequently asked

What is the difference between BNi-1 and BNi-6?

Nickel Alloy BNi-1 and BNi-6 are both nickel alloy grades. BNi-1 is harder — 550 HV against 520 HV for BNi-6 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. BNi-1 is stiffer (200 GPa vs 130 GPa) and BNi-1 runs hotter in service (900°C vs 425°C continuous).

Which is cheaper, BNi-1 or BNi-6?

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.

When should I choose BNi-1 over BNi-6?

Pick BNi-1 when surface hardness matters, or when the part sees heat.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BNi-1 and BNi-6 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.