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Nickel Alloy CW-12MW vs Rene 95

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy CW-12MW and Rene 95 are both nickel alloy grades. Rene 95 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 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi). Rene 95 is the more ductile: elongation 15% versus 10% for CW-12MW, and Rene 95 is harder (45 HRC vs 15 HRC). Rene 95 is lighter (8.19 g/cm³ vs 8.94 g/cm³ for CW-12MW) and CW-12MW conducts heat better (10.2 W/m·K vs 8.9 W/m·K). 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 machined in volume, or when it will be welded.

Rene 95Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

CW-12MW vs Rene 95: properties

CW-12MWRene 95

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
167 GPa24.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.31
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
1,620 MPa235 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

350 MPa50.8 ksi
1,240 MPa180 ksi

Elongation at Break

10%
15%

Reduction in Area

12%
17%

Shear Strength

385 MPa55.8 ksi
970 MPa141 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

220 MPa31.9 ksi
650 MPa94.3 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

70 J51.6 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

200 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

94 HRB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

15 HRC
45 HRC

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
65 MPa·√m59.2 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

—
460 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,275°C2,327 °F
1,260°C2,300 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,355°C2,471 °F
1,330°C2,426 °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
8.9 W/m·K5.1 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
11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 650°C1,202 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

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)

-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

22 / 100
12 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

12%
8%

Weldability

55 / 100
8 / 100

Formability (cold)

15 / 100
5 / 100

Castability

60 / 100
25 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
35 / 100

Polishability

65 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb
280 MJ/kg120,378 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

12.5 kg CO₂/kg
17 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
10%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

62 kN·m/kg
198 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

22.9 MN·m/kg
25.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

299 kJ/m³
3,661 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3 mm²/s
2.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

2
6

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-12MWRene 95

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityCW-12MWRene 95
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 95 — frequently asked

Is Rene 95 stronger than CW-12MW?

Yes. Rene 95 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 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi).

Which is cheaper, CW-12MW or Rene 95?

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 95?

CW-12MW. Its machinability rates poor (22/100) against not recommended (12/100) for Rene 95; for welding the order is CW-12MW first (good, 55/100) then Rene 95 (not recommended, 8/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CW-12MW and Rene 95 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.