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Nickel Alloy BNi-3 vs ENiCrCoMo-1

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy BNi-3 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-3, about 50% more. ENiCrCoMo-1 is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 1% for BNi-3, and BNi-3 is harder (46 HRC vs 17 HRC). ENiCrCoMo-1 is stiffer (211 GPa vs 200 GPa) and ENiCrCoMo-1 runs hotter in service (1,100°C vs 760°C continuous). On the shop floor, ENiCrCoMo-1 machines more easily (poor vs not recommended) and ENiCrCoMo-1 welds better (excellent vs not recommended).

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

BNi-3 vs ENiCrCoMo-1: properties

BNi-3ENiCrCoMo-1

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
211 GPa30.6 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

480 MPa69.6 ksi
720 MPa104 ksi

Elongation at Break

1%
38%

Shear Strength

280 MPa40.6 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Hardness, Rockwell C

46 HRC
17 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

520 HV
220 HV

Shear Modulus

—
81 GPa11.7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

—
176 GPa25.5 Msi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

—
430 MPa62.4 ksi

Reduction in Area

—
40%

Compressive Strength

—
440 MPa63.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

—
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
75 J55.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

—
210 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
94 HRB

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.2 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
8.36 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

982°C1,800 °F
1,332°C2,430 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,038°C1,900 °F
1,380°C2,516 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

20 W/m·K11.6 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)

12.6 µm/m·K7 µin/in·°F
11.6 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

250 J/g107 BTU/lb
290 J/g125 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

760°C1,400 °F
1,100°C2,012 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1.1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m43.3 µΩ·in
1.22×10⁻⁶ Ω·m48 µΩ·in

Electrical Conductivity

—
1.4 % IACS

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.22 V
-0.15 V

Corrosion Resistance

35 / 100
80 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

8 / 100
20 / 100

Weldability

10 / 100
85 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
55 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
12%

Formability (cold)

—
35 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 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)

13.5 kg CO₂/kg
14 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

10%
30%

Embodied Water

—
350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

59 kN·m/kg
86 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.4 MN·m/kg
25.2 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

5.4 mm²/s
3.9 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 scaleENiCrCoMo-1

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBNi-3ENiCrCoMo-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-3 vs ENiCrCoMo-1 — frequently asked

Is ENiCrCoMo-1 stronger than BNi-3?

Yes. ENiCrCoMo-1 has a typical tensile strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) against 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) for BNi-3 — about 50% more.

Which is cheaper, BNi-3 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-3 or ENiCrCoMo-1?

ENiCrCoMo-1. Its machinability rates poor (20/100) against not recommended (8/100) for BNi-3; for welding the order is ENiCrCoMo-1 first (excellent, 85/100) then BNi-3 (not recommended, 10/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BNi-3 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.