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Nickel Alloy BNi-1 vs ERNiCrMo-1

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy BNi-1 and ERNiCrMo-1 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 ERNiCrMo-1, about 25% more. In exchange, ERNiCrMo-1 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 8.31 g/cm³ for ERNiCrMo-1) and BNi-1 runs hotter in service (900°C vs 550°C continuous). On the shop floor, ERNiCrMo-1 machines more easily (poor vs not recommended) and ERNiCrMo-1 welds better (excellent vs not recommended).

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

ERNiCrMo-1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

BNi-1 vs ERNiCrMo-1: properties

BNi-1ERNiCrMo-1

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
196 GPa28.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

77 GPa11.2 Msi
76 GPa11 Msi

Bulk Modulus

170 GPa24.7 Msi
163 GPa23.6 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
410 MPa59.5 ksi

Shear Strength

270 MPa39.2 ksi
430 MPa62.4 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

180 MPa26.1 ksi
280 MPa40.6 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

20 MPa·√m18.2 ksi·√in
105 MPa·√m95.6 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

2 J1.5 ft·lbf
90 J66.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

520 HB
195 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

52 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

550 HV
205 HV

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
92 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

977°C1,791 °F
1,260°C2,300 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,038°C1,900 °F
1,355°C2,471 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

16 W/m·K9.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
10.1 W/m·K5.8 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
14 µm/m·K7.8 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

290 J/g125 BTU/lb
285 J/g123 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

900°C1,652 °F
550°C1,022 °F

Min Service Temperature

-100°C-148 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.6 % IACS
1.4 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m43.3 µΩ·in
1.23×10⁻⁶ Ω·m48.4 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.28 V
-0.12 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
80 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

6 / 100
22 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

5%
12%

Weldability

10 / 100
90 / 100

Formability (cold)

3 / 100
60 / 100

Castability

55 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb
150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

15 kg CO₂/kg
13 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb
220 L/kg26.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

10%
30%

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
23.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

625 kJ/m³
408 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

4.5 mm²/s
2.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

4
2

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-1ERNiCrMo-1

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBNi-1ERNiCrMo-1
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 ERNiCrMo-1 — frequently asked

Is BNi-1 stronger than ERNiCrMo-1?

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

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

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 ERNiCrMo-1?

ERNiCrMo-1. Its machinability rates poor (22/100) against not recommended (6/100) for BNi-1; for welding the order is ERNiCrMo-1 first (excellent, 90/100) then BNi-1 (not recommended, 10/100).

Ready to make it?

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