FabDigitFabDigit

Nickel Alloy BNi-1 vs ERNiCrFe-7A

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy BNi-1 and ERNiCrFe-7A 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 ERNiCrFe-7A, about 25% more. In exchange, ERNiCrFe-7A is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 1% for BNi-1, and BNi-1 is harder (520 HB vs 195 HB). BNi-1 is lighter (7.89 g/cm³ vs 8.25 g/cm³ for ERNiCrFe-7A) and BNi-1 runs hotter in service (900°C vs 650°C continuous). On the shop floor, ERNiCrFe-7A machines more easily (poor vs not recommended) and ERNiCrFe-7A welds better (very good vs not recommended).

BNi-1Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

ERNiCrFe-7AChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

BNi-1 vs ERNiCrFe-7A: properties

BNi-1ERNiCrFe-7A

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
207 GPa30 Msi

Shear Modulus

77 GPa11.2 Msi
79 GPa11.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

170 GPa24.7 Msi
165 GPa23.9 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.31

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
655 MPa95 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

500 MPa72.5 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Elongation at Break

1%
40%

Reduction in Area

1%
45%

Compressive Strength

1,600 MPa232 ksi
—

Shear Strength

270 MPa39.2 ksi
430 MPa62.4 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
100 J73.8 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

520 HB
195 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

52 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

550 HV
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
91 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.89 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
8.25 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

977°C1,791 °F
1,355°C2,471 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,038°C1,900 °F
1,400°C2,552 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

16 W/m·K9.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
12 W/m·K6.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.5 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F
13.6 µm/m·K7.6 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

900°C1,652 °F
650°C1,202 °F

Min Service Temperature

-100°C-148 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 450 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.6 % IACS
1.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m43.3 µΩ·in
1.15×10⁻⁶ Ω·m45.3 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.28 V
-0.15 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
88 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

6 / 100
25 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

5%
12%

Weldability

10 / 100
80 / 100

Formability (cold)

3 / 100
55 / 100

Castability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb
135 MJ/kg58,040 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

15 kg CO₂/kg
12.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb
250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

10%
20%

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
25.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

625 kJ/m³
386 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

4.5 mm²/s
3.2 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-1ERNiCrFe-7A

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBNi-1ERNiCrFe-7A
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 ERNiCrFe-7A — frequently asked

Is BNi-1 stronger than ERNiCrFe-7A?

Yes. BNi-1 has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for ERNiCrFe-7A — about 25% more. Tensile strength is 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 655 MPa (95 ksi).

Which is cheaper, BNi-1 or ERNiCrFe-7A?

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 ERNiCrFe-7A?

ERNiCrFe-7A. Its machinability rates poor (25/100) against not recommended (6/100) for BNi-1; for welding the order is ERNiCrFe-7A first (very good, 80/100) then BNi-1 (not recommended, 10/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BNi-1 and ERNiCrFe-7A 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.