Nickel Alloy CW-12MW vs Rene 80
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy CW-12MW and Rene 80 are both nickel alloy grades. Rene 80 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 855 MPa (124 ksi) against 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) for CW-12MW, about 144% more; tensile strength follows at 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi). In exchange, CW-12MW is the more ductile: elongation 10% versus 6% for Rene 80, and Rene 80 is harder (39 HRC vs 15 HRC). Rene 80 is lighter (8.16 g/cm³ vs 8.94 g/cm³ for CW-12MW) and Rene 80 runs hotter in service (980°C vs 650°C continuous). On the shop floor, CW-12MW machines more easily (poor vs not recommended) and CW-12MW welds better (good vs not recommended).
CW-12MWChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
Rene 80Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
CW-12MW vs Rene 80: 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
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Rockwell C
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 78 GPa11.3 Msi
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)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 1.3 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.3×10⁻⁶ Ω·m51.2 µΩ·in
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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 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 | CW-12MW | Rene 80 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
CW-12MW vs Rene 80 — frequently asked
Is Rene 80 stronger than CW-12MW?
Yes. Rene 80 has a typical yield strength of 855 MPa (124 ksi) against 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) for CW-12MW — about 144% more. Tensile strength is 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi).
Which is cheaper, CW-12MW or Rene 80?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, 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 Rene 80?
CW-12MW. Its machinability rates poor (22/100) against not recommended (10/100) for Rene 80; for welding the order is CW-12MW first (good, 55/100) then Rene 80 (not recommended, 12/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CW-12MW and Rene 80 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.