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Nickel Alloy BNi-1a vs ENiCrCoMo-1

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy BNi-1a and ENiCrCoMo-1 are both nickel alloy grades. ENiCrCoMo-1 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 720 MPa (104 ksi) against 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) for BNi-1a, about 50% more. ENiCrCoMo-1 is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 0.5% for BNi-1a, and BNi-1a is harder (45 HRC vs 17 HRC). BNi-1a is lighter (7.9 g/cm³ vs 8.36 g/cm³ for ENiCrCoMo-1) and ENiCrCoMo-1 is stiffer (211 GPa vs 200 GPa). On the shop floor, ENiCrCoMo-1 machines more easily (poor vs not recommended) and ENiCrCoMo-1 welds better (excellent vs poor).

BNi-1aChoose it when weight is the constraint.

ENiCrCoMo-1Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

BNi-1a vs ENiCrCoMo-1: properties

BNi-1aENiCrCoMo-1

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
211 GPa30.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

77 GPa11.2 Msi
81 GPa11.7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

167 GPa24.2 Msi
176 GPa25.5 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

480 MPa69.6 ksi
720 MPa104 ksi

Elongation at Break

0.5%
38%

Compressive Strength

2,000 MPa290 ksi
440 MPa63.8 ksi

Shear Strength

300 MPa43.5 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

3 J2.2 ft·lbf
75 J55.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell C

45 HRC
17 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

460 HV
220 HV

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

—
430 MPa62.4 ksi

Reduction in Area

—
40%

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

—
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in

Hardness, Brinell

—
210 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
94 HRB

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.9 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
8.36 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

977°C1,791 °F
1,332°C2,430 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,077°C1,971 °F
1,380°C2,516 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

15 W/m·K8.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
13.6 W/m·K7.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

450 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
419 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.5 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F
11.6 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

980°C1,796 °F
1,100°C2,012 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1.2×10⁻⁶ Ω·m47.2 µΩ·in
1.22×10⁻⁶ Ω·m48 µΩ·in

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 1.4 % IACS

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

60 / 100
80 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.15 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

8 / 100
20 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

5%
12%

Weldability

15 / 100
85 / 100

Formability (cold)

5 / 100
35 / 100

Castability

70 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

165 MJ/kg70,937 BTU/lb
175 MJ/kg75,237 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

13 kg CO₂/kg
14 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

260 L/kg31.2 gal/lb
350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

15%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

61 kN·m/kg
86 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.3 MN·m/kg
25.2 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

4.2 mm²/s
3.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

3
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 scaleENiCrCoMo-1

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBNi-1aENiCrCoMo-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-1a vs ENiCrCoMo-1 — frequently asked

Is ENiCrCoMo-1 stronger than BNi-1a?

Yes. ENiCrCoMo-1 has a typical tensile strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) against 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) for BNi-1a — about 50% more.

Which is cheaper, BNi-1a or ENiCrCoMo-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-1a or ENiCrCoMo-1?

ENiCrCoMo-1. Its machinability rates poor (20/100) against not recommended (8/100) for BNi-1a; for welding the order is ENiCrCoMo-1 first (excellent, 85/100) then BNi-1a (poor, 15/100).

Ready to make it?

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