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Nickel Alloy BNi-1 vs ERNiFeCr-2

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy BNi-1 and ERNiFeCr-2 are both nickel alloy grades. ERNiFeCr-2 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) for BNi-1, about 10% more; tensile strength follows at 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi). ERNiFeCr-2 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 1% for BNi-1, and BNi-1 is harder (520 HB vs 240 HB). BNi-1 is lighter (7.89 g/cm³ vs 8.19 g/cm³ for ERNiFeCr-2) and BNi-1 runs hotter in service (900°C vs 600°C continuous). On the shop floor, ERNiFeCr-2 machines more easily (poor vs not recommended) and ERNiFeCr-2 welds better (good vs not recommended).

BNi-1Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

ERNiFeCr-2Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

BNi-1 vs ERNiFeCr-2: properties

BNi-1ERNiFeCr-2

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

170 GPa24.7 Msi
160 GPa23.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
830 MPa120 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

500 MPa72.5 ksi
550 MPa79.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

1%
25%

Reduction in Area

1%
40%

Compressive Strength

1,600 MPa232 ksi
—

Shear Strength

270 MPa39.2 ksi
520 MPa75.4 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

180 MPa26.1 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

20 MPa·√m18.2 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

2 J1.5 ft·lbf
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

520 HB
240 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

52 HRC
24 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

550 HV
250 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

977°C1,791 °F
1,260°C2,300 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,038°C1,900 °F
1,336°C2,437 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

16 W/m·K9.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
11.4 W/m·K6.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

450 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
435 J/kg·K0.1 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
210 J/g90.3 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

900°C1,652 °F
600°C1,112 °F

Min Service Temperature

-100°C-148 °F
-253°C-423 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.6 % IACS
1.4 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m43.3 µΩ·in
1.25×10⁻⁶ Ω·m49.2 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
72 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

6 / 100
30 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

5%
15%

Weldability

10 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

3 / 100
45 / 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
165 MJ/kg70,937 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

15 kg CO₂/kg
12 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb
400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

10%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

70 kN·m/kg
101 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.3 MN·m/kg
24.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

625 kJ/m³
756 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

4.5 mm²/s
3.2 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 4

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-1ERNiFeCr-2

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBNi-1ERNiFeCr-2
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 ERNiFeCr-2 — frequently asked

Is ERNiFeCr-2 stronger than BNi-1?

Yes. ERNiFeCr-2 has a typical yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) for BNi-1 — about 10% more. Tensile strength is 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi).

Which is cheaper, BNi-1 or ERNiFeCr-2?

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 ERNiFeCr-2?

ERNiFeCr-2. Its machinability rates poor (30/100) against not recommended (6/100) for BNi-1; for welding the order is ERNiFeCr-2 first (good, 60/100) then BNi-1 (not recommended, 10/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BNi-1 and ERNiFeCr-2 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.