Nickel Alloy BNi-1 vs ERNiCr-3
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy BNi-1 and ERNiCr-3 are both nickel alloy grades. BNi-1 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for ERNiCr-3, about 25% more. In exchange, ERNiCr-3 is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 1% for BNi-1, and BNi-1 is harder (520 HB vs 180 HB). BNi-1 is lighter (7.89 g/cm³ vs 8.3 g/cm³ for ERNiCr-3) and BNi-1 runs hotter in service (900°C vs 815°C continuous). On the shop floor, ERNiCr-3 machines more easily (poor vs not recommended) and ERNiCr-3 welds better (excellent vs not recommended).
BNi-1Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
ERNiCr-3Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
BNi-1 vs ERNiCr-3: 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.
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
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · 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)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 1.6 % IACS
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)
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 | BNi-1 | ERNiCr-3 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
BNi-1 vs ERNiCr-3 — frequently asked
Is BNi-1 stronger than ERNiCr-3?
Yes. BNi-1 has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for ERNiCr-3 — about 25% more. Tensile strength is 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, BNi-1 or ERNiCr-3?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, 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 ERNiCr-3?
ERNiCr-3. Its machinability rates poor (24/100) against not recommended (6/100) for BNi-1; for welding the order is ERNiCr-3 first (excellent, 92/100) then BNi-1 (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BNi-1 and ERNiCr-3 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.