Nickel Alloy BNi-5a vs ENi-1
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy BNi-5a and ENi-1 are both nickel alloy grades. BNi-5a is harder — 550 HV against 105 HV for ENi-1 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. BNi-5a is lighter (7.85 g/cm³ vs 8.9 g/cm³ for ENi-1) and BNi-5a runs hotter in service (950°C vs 400°C continuous). On the shop floor, ENi-1 machines more easily (fair vs not recommended) and ENi-1 welds better (excellent vs not recommended).
BNi-5aChoose it when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.
ENi-1Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when it will be welded.
BNi-5a vs ENi-1: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all nickel alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all nickel alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Shear Strength
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Brazeability / Solderability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Polishability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | BNi-5a | ENi-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
BNi-5a vs ENi-1 — frequently asked
What is the difference between BNi-5a and ENi-1?
Nickel Alloy BNi-5a and ENi-1 are both nickel alloy grades. BNi-5a is harder — 550 HV against 105 HV for ENi-1 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. BNi-5a is lighter (7.85 g/cm³ vs 8.9 g/cm³ for ENi-1) and BNi-5a runs hotter in service (950°C vs 400°C continuous).
Which is cheaper, BNi-5a or ENi-1?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, BNi-5a or ENi-1?
ENi-1. Its machinability rates fair (42/100) against not recommended (5/100) for BNi-5a; for welding the order is ENi-1 first (excellent, 85/100) then BNi-5a (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BNi-5a and ENi-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.