FabDigitFabDigit

Nickel Alloy CW-12MW vs GX50NiCrCoW35-25-15-5

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy CW-12MW and GX50NiCrCoW35-25-15-5 are both nickel alloy grades. CW-12MW is the stronger of the two: yield strength 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) for GX50NiCrCoW35-25-15-5, about 21% more; tensile strength follows at 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 490 MPa (71.1 ksi). CW-12MW is the more ductile: elongation 10% versus 5% for GX50NiCrCoW35-25-15-5. GX50NiCrCoW35-25-15-5 is lighter (8 g/cm³ vs 8.94 g/cm³ for CW-12MW) and CW-12MW is stiffer (205 GPa vs 185 GPa). On the shop floor, CW-12MW welds better (good vs poor).

CW-12MWChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

GX50NiCrCoW35-25-15-5Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

CW-12MW vs GX50NiCrCoW35-25-15-5: properties

CW-12MWGX50NiCrCoW35-25-15-5

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
185 GPa26.8 Msi

Shear Modulus

78 GPa11.3 Msi
72 GPa10.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

180 GPa26.1 Msi
150 GPa21.8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.31
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
490 MPa71.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

350 MPa50.8 ksi
290 MPa42.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

10%
5%

Reduction in Area

12%
5%

Shear Strength

385 MPa55.8 ksi
350 MPa50.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

220 MPa31.9 ksi
175 MPa25.4 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

70 J51.6 ft·lbf
8 J5.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

200 HB
205 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

15 HRC
—

Compressive Strength

—
520 MPa75.4 ksi

Same in both: Hardness, Rockwell B 94 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,275°C2,327 °F
1,310°C2,390 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,355°C2,471 °F
1,375°C2,507 °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
12.5 W/m·K7.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.3 µm/m·K6.3 µin/in·°F
15.5 µm/m·K8.6 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

650°C1,202 °F
1,200°C2,192 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-100°C-148 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.3 % IACS
1.7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.3×10⁻⁶ Ω·m51.2 µΩ·in
1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m39.4 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.08 V
-0.15 V

Corrosion Resistance

86 / 100
72 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

22 / 100
15 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

12%
10%

Weldability

55 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

15 / 100
5 / 100

Castability

60 / 100
72 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
35 / 100

Polishability

65 / 100
45 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb
145 MJ/kg62,339 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

12.5 kg CO₂/kg
11.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
50%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

62 kN·m/kg
61 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

22.9 MN·m/kg
23.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

299 kJ/m³
227 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3 mm²/s
3.3 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 2

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-12MWGX50NiCrCoW35-25-15-5

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityCW-12MWGX50NiCrCoW35-25-15-5
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 GX50NiCrCoW35-25-15-5 — frequently asked

Is CW-12MW stronger than GX50NiCrCoW35-25-15-5?

Yes. CW-12MW has a typical yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) for GX50NiCrCoW35-25-15-5 — about 21% more. Tensile strength is 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 490 MPa (71.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, CW-12MW or GX50NiCrCoW35-25-15-5?

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, CW-12MW or GX50NiCrCoW35-25-15-5?

CW-12MW, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 22/100 against 15/100 for GX50NiCrCoW35-25-15-5; for welding the order is CW-12MW first (good, 55/100) then GX50NiCrCoW35-25-15-5 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CW-12MW and GX50NiCrCoW35-25-15-5 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.