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Nickel Alloy BNi-6 vs ENi-1

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy BNi-6 and ENi-1 are both nickel alloy grades. BNi-6 is harder — 520 HV against 105 HV for ENi-1 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. BNi-6 is lighter (7.7 g/cm³ vs 8.9 g/cm³ for ENi-1) and ENi-1 is stiffer (200 GPa vs 130 GPa). On the shop floor, ENi-1 machines more easily (fair vs not recommended) and ENi-1 welds better (excellent vs not recommended).

BNi-6Choose 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-6 vs ENi-1: properties

BNi-6ENi-1

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

130 GPa18.9 Msi
200 GPa29 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.31

Shear Strength

200 MPa29 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Hardness, Vickers

520 HV
105 HV

Shear Modulus

—
76 GPa11 Msi

Bulk Modulus

—
180 GPa26.1 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

—
440 MPa63.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

—
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

—
30%

Reduction in Area

—
40%

Compressive Strength

—
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

—
160 MPa23.2 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
90 MPa·√m81.9 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
80 J59 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

—
100 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
55 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
8.9 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

875°C1,607 °F
1,435°C2,615 °F

Liquidus Temperature

875°C1,607 °F
1,445°C2,633 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

10 W/m·K5.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

440 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
456 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

13 µm/m·K7.2 µin/in·°F
13.3 µm/m·K7.4 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

425°C797 °F
400°C752 °F

Min Service Temperature

-100°C-148 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
297 J/g128 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m39.4 µΩ·in
2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.87 µΩ·in

Electrical Conductivity

—
8.5 % IACS

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

35 / 100
72 / 100

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

—
-0.2 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

10 / 100
42 / 100

Weldability

10 / 100
85 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

50 / 100
60 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
30%

Formability (cold)

—
60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

155 MJ/kg66,638 BTU/lb
130 MJ/kg55,890 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
—

Typical Recycled Content

10%
25%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 13 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

16.9 MN·m/kg
22.5 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

3 mm²/s
10.3 mm²/s

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 scaleENi-1

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBNi-6ENi-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-6 vs ENi-1 — frequently asked

What is the difference between BNi-6 and ENi-1?

Nickel Alloy BNi-6 and ENi-1 are both nickel alloy grades. BNi-6 is harder — 520 HV against 105 HV for ENi-1 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. BNi-6 is lighter (7.7 g/cm³ vs 8.9 g/cm³ for ENi-1) and ENi-1 is stiffer (200 GPa vs 130 GPa).

Which is cheaper, BNi-6 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-6 or ENi-1?

ENi-1. Its machinability rates fair (42/100) against not recommended (10/100) for BNi-6; for welding the order is ENi-1 first (excellent, 85/100) then BNi-6 (not recommended, 10/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BNi-6 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.