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Nickel Alloy BNi-4 vs ENiCrCoMo-1

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy BNi-4 and ENiCrCoMo-1 are both nickel alloy grades. ENiCrCoMo-1 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 720 MPa (104 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for BNi-4, about 60% more. ENiCrCoMo-1 is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 2% for BNi-4, and BNi-4 is harder (33 HRC vs 17 HRC). ENiCrCoMo-1 is stiffer (211 GPa vs 190 GPa) and ENiCrCoMo-1 runs hotter in service (1,100°C vs 900°C continuous). On the shop floor, ENiCrCoMo-1 welds better (excellent vs poor).

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

BNi-4 vs ENiCrCoMo-1: properties

BNi-4ENiCrCoMo-1

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

190 GPa27.6 Msi
211 GPa30.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

73 GPa10.6 Msi
81 GPa11.7 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.31
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

450 MPa65.3 ksi
720 MPa104 ksi

Elongation at Break

2%
38%

Shear Strength

250 MPa36.3 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Hardness, Rockwell C

33 HRC
17 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

330 HV
220 HV

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

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

980°C1,796 °F
1,332°C2,430 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,065°C1,949 °F
1,380°C2,516 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

30 W/m·K17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
13.6 W/m·K7.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

13.5 µm/m·K7.5 µin/in·°F
11.6 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

900°C1,652 °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)

-0.2 V
-0.15 V

Corrosion Resistance

42 / 100
80 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

12 / 100
20 / 100

Weldability

15 / 100
85 / 100

Castability

60 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

92 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
60 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
12%

Formability (cold)

—
35 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

185 MJ/kg79,536 BTU/lb
175 MJ/kg75,237 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

15%
30%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 14 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

55 kN·m/kg
86 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

23.2 MN·m/kg
25.2 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

8 mm²/s
3.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

5
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-4ENiCrCoMo-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-4 vs ENiCrCoMo-1 — frequently asked

Is ENiCrCoMo-1 stronger than BNi-4?

Yes. ENiCrCoMo-1 has a typical tensile strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for BNi-4 — about 60% more.

Which is cheaper, BNi-4 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-4 or ENiCrCoMo-1?

ENiCrCoMo-1. Its machinability rates poor (20/100) against not recommended (12/100) for BNi-4; for welding the order is ENiCrCoMo-1 first (excellent, 85/100) then BNi-4 (poor, 15/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BNi-4 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.