Nickel Alloy CU5MCuC vs CY-40
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy CU5MCuC and CY-40 are both nickel alloy grades. CY-40 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) against 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) for CU5MCuC, about 6% more. CU5MCuC is harder — 160 HB against 145 HB for CY-40 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. CU5MCuC is lighter (8.1 g/cm³ vs 8.45 g/cm³ for CY-40) and CY-40 runs hotter in service (1,000°C vs 540°C continuous). On the shop floor, CU5MCuC welds better (very good vs good).
CU5MCuCChoose it when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.
CY-40Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
CU5MCuC vs CY-40: 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Reduction in Area 40%
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)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Castability
Same in both: Machinability 28 / 100 · Formability (cold) 20 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | CU5MCuC | CY-40 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
CU5MCuC vs CY-40 — frequently asked
Is CY-40 stronger than CU5MCuC?
Yes. CY-40 has a typical tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) against 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) for CU5MCuC — about 6% more.
Which is cheaper, CU5MCuC or CY-40?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, CU5MCuC or CY-40?
CU5MCuC. Its weldability rates very good (72/100) against good (60/100) for CY-40.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CU5MCuC and CY-40 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.