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Nickel Alloy CW-12MW vs Nickel Beryllium 360

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy CW-12MW and Nickel Beryllium 360 are both nickel alloy grades. Nickel Beryllium 360 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) against 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) for CW-12MW, about 3.5 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi). In exchange, CW-12MW is the more ductile: elongation 10% versus 7% for Nickel Beryllium 360, and Nickel Beryllium 360 is harder (52 HRC vs 15 HRC). Nickel Beryllium 360 is lighter (8.26 g/cm³ vs 8.94 g/cm³ for CW-12MW) and CW-12MW runs hotter in service (650°C vs 400°C continuous). On the shop floor, CW-12MW welds better (good vs fair).

CW-12MWChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

Nickel Beryllium 360Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

CW-12MW vs Nickel Beryllium 360: properties

CW-12MWNickel Beryllium 360

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
207 GPa30 Msi

Shear Modulus

78 GPa11.3 Msi
79 GPa11.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

180 GPa26.1 Msi
171 GPa24.8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.31
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
1,650 MPa239 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

350 MPa50.8 ksi
1,240 MPa180 ksi

Elongation at Break

10%
7%

Reduction in Area

12%
15%

Shear Strength

385 MPa55.8 ksi
950 MPa138 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

220 MPa31.9 ksi
520 MPa75.4 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

70 J51.6 ft·lbf
12 J8.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

200 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

94 HRB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

15 HRC
52 HRC

Compressive Strength

—
1,250 MPa181 ksi

Hardness, Vickers

—
545 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,275°C2,327 °F
1,300°C2,372 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,355°C2,471 °F
1,370°C2,498 °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
48 W/m·K27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Latent Heat of Fusion

290 J/g125 BTU/lb
295 J/g127 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

650°C1,202 °F
400°C752 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.3 % IACS
7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.3×10⁻⁶ Ω·m51.2 µΩ·in
2.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.84 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
65 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

12%
15%

Weldability

55 / 100
35 / 100

Formability (cold)

15 / 100
12 / 100

Castability

60 / 100
45 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Polishability

65 / 100
80 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 22 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb
320 MJ/kg137,575 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

12.5 kg CO₂/kg
22 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
600 L/kg71.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
20%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

62 kN·m/kg
200 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

22.9 MN·m/kg
25.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

299 kJ/m³
3,714 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3 mm²/s
13.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

2
29

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-12MWNickel Beryllium 360

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityCW-12MWNickel Beryllium 360
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 Nickel Beryllium 360 — frequently asked

Is Nickel Beryllium 360 stronger than CW-12MW?

Yes. Nickel Beryllium 360 has a typical yield strength of 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) against 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) for CW-12MW — about 3.5 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi).

Which is cheaper, CW-12MW or Nickel Beryllium 360?

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 Nickel Beryllium 360?

CW-12MW. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against fair (35/100) for Nickel Beryllium 360.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CW-12MW and Nickel Beryllium 360 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.