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Nickel Alloy BNi-7 vs ENi-1

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy BNi-7 and ENi-1 are both nickel alloy grades. ENi-1 is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 1% for BNi-7, and BNi-7 is harder (560 HV vs 105 HV). BNi-7 is lighter (7.6 g/cm³ vs 8.9 g/cm³ for ENi-1) and ENi-1 is stiffer (200 GPa vs 175 GPa). On the shop floor, ENi-1 machines more easily (fair vs not recommended) and ENi-1 welds better (excellent vs not recommended).

BNi-7Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

ENi-1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

BNi-7 vs ENi-1: properties

BNi-7ENi-1

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

175 GPa25.4 Msi
200 GPa29 Msi

Shear Modulus

67 GPa9.7 Msi
76 GPa11 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.31

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

420 MPa60.9 ksi
440 MPa63.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

1%
30%

Shear Strength

220 MPa31.9 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Hardness, Rockwell C

52 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

560 HV
105 HV

Bulk Modulus

—
180 GPa26.1 Msi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

—
250 MPa36.3 ksi

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

7.6 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³
8.9 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

890°C1,634 °F
1,435°C2,615 °F

Liquidus Temperature

890°C1,634 °F
1,445°C2,633 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

12 W/m·K6.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

450 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)

700°C1,292 °F
400°C752 °F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
297 J/g128 BTU/lb

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

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1.2×10⁻⁶ Ω·m47.2 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

60 / 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

8 / 100
42 / 100

Weldability

10 / 100
85 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

92 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
60 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
30%

Formability (cold)

—
60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

135 MJ/kg58,040 BTU/lb
130 MJ/kg55,890 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

220 L/kg26.4 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 Strength (UTS / density)

55 kN·m/kg
49 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

23 MN·m/kg
22.5 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

3.5 mm²/s
10.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

2
7

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-7ENi-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-7 vs ENi-1 — frequently asked

What is the difference between BNi-7 and ENi-1?

Nickel Alloy BNi-7 and ENi-1 are both nickel alloy grades. ENi-1 is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 1% for BNi-7, and BNi-7 is harder (560 HV vs 105 HV). BNi-7 is lighter (7.6 g/cm³ vs 8.9 g/cm³ for ENi-1) and ENi-1 is stiffer (200 GPa vs 175 GPa).

Which is cheaper, BNi-7 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-7 or ENi-1?

ENi-1. Its machinability rates fair (42/100) against not recommended (8/100) for BNi-7; for welding the order is ENi-1 first (excellent, 85/100) then BNi-7 (not recommended, 10/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BNi-7 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.