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Nickel Alloy CW-12MW vs N30C

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy CW-12MW and N30C are both nickel alloy grades. CW-12MW is the stronger of the two: yield strength 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for N30C, about 17% more. In exchange, N30C is the more ductile: elongation 15% versus 10% for CW-12MW, and CW-12MW is harder (15 HRC vs 13 HRC). N30C runs hotter in service (760°C vs 650°C continuous) and N30C conducts heat better (11.5 W/m·K vs 10.2 W/m·K). On the shop floor, N30C welds better (65 vs 55 out of 100).

CW-12MWChoose it when strength drives the design.

N30CChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

CW-12MW vs N30C: properties

CW-12MWN30C

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
210 GPa30.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

78 GPa11.3 Msi
81 GPa11.7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

180 GPa26.1 Msi
175 GPa25.4 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.31
0.3

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

350 MPa50.8 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

10%
15%

Reduction in Area

12%
20%

Shear Strength

385 MPa55.8 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

220 MPa31.9 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

70 J51.6 ft·lbf
75 J55.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

200 HB
195 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

94 HRB
92 HRB

Hardness, Rockwell C

15 HRC
13 HRC

Compressive Strength

—
310 MPa45 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

—
205 HV

Same in both: Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 550 MPa79.8 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8.86 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,275°C2,327 °F
1,300°C2,372 °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
11.5 W/m·K6.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

385 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
419 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.3 µm/m·K6.3 µin/in·°F
12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

650°C1,202 °F
760°C1,400 °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
1.4 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.3×10⁻⁶ Ω·m51.2 µΩ·in
1.23×10⁻⁶ Ω·m48.4 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

86 / 100
88 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.08 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

22 / 100
20 / 100

Weldability

55 / 100
65 / 100

Formability (cold)

15 / 100
25 / 100

Polishability

65 / 100
70 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 12% · Castability 60 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

12.5 kg CO₂/kg
12 kg CO₂/kg

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb · Embodied Water 300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

22.9 MN·m/kg
23.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

299 kJ/m³
214 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3 mm²/s
3.1 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 62 kN·m/kg · 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-12MWN30C

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityCW-12MWN30C
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 N30C — frequently asked

Is CW-12MW stronger than N30C?

Yes. CW-12MW has a typical yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for N30C — about 17% more. Tensile strength is 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi).

Which is cheaper, CW-12MW or N30C?

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 N30C?

N30C. Its weldability rates good (65/100) against good (55/100) for CW-12MW.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CW-12MW and N30C 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.