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Nickel Alloy CW-12MW vs G-NiCr15

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy CW-12MW and G-NiCr15 are both nickel alloy grades. CW-12MW is the stronger of the two: yield strength 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for G-NiCr15, about 40% more; tensile strength follows at 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi). In exchange, G-NiCr15 is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 10% for CW-12MW, and CW-12MW is harder (200 HB vs 150 HB). G-NiCr15 is lighter (8.4 g/cm³ vs 8.94 g/cm³ for CW-12MW) and G-NiCr15 runs hotter in service (1,050°C vs 650°C continuous).

CW-12MWChoose it when strength drives the design.

G-NiCr15Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

CW-12MW vs G-NiCr15: properties

CW-12MWG-NiCr15

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
195 GPa28.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

78 GPa11.3 Msi
75 GPa10.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

180 GPa26.1 Msi
165 GPa23.9 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

350 MPa50.8 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

10%
22%

Reduction in Area

12%
25%

Shear Strength

385 MPa55.8 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

220 MPa31.9 ksi
190 MPa27.6 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

70 J51.6 ft·lbf
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

200 HB
150 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

94 HRB
80 HRB

Hardness, Rockwell C

15 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

—
158 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.31

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8.4 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,275°C2,327 °F
1,340°C2,444 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,355°C2,471 °F
1,400°C2,552 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

10.2 W/m·K5.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
14 W/m·K8.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

385 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.3 µm/m·K6.3 µin/in·°F
13.3 µm/m·K7.4 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

650°C1,202 °F
1,050°C1,922 °F

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

1.3 % IACS
1.6 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.3×10⁻⁶ Ω·m51.2 µΩ·in
1.08×10⁻⁶ Ω·m42.5 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.08 V
-0.17 V

Corrosion Resistance

86 / 100
76 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

22 / 100
25 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

12%
15%

Weldability

55 / 100
60 / 100

Castability

60 / 100
68 / 100

Polishability

65 / 100
55 / 100

Same in both: Formability (cold) 15 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb
155 MJ/kg66,638 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

12.5 kg CO₂/kg
13 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
330 L/kg39.5 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
45%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

62 kN·m/kg
57 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

22.9 MN·m/kg
23.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

299 kJ/m³
160 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3 mm²/s
3.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

2
3

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 scaleCW-12MWG-NiCr15

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityCW-12MWG-NiCr15
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.

CW-12MW vs G-NiCr15 — frequently asked

Is CW-12MW stronger than G-NiCr15?

Yes. CW-12MW has a typical yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for G-NiCr15 — about 40% more. Tensile strength is 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi).

Which is cheaper, CW-12MW or G-NiCr15?

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, CW-12MW or G-NiCr15?

G-NiCr15. Its weldability rates good (60/100) against good (55/100) for CW-12MW.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CW-12MW and G-NiCr15 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.