FabDigitFabDigit

Nickel Alloy CW-6MC vs IN-100

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy CW-6MC and IN-100 are both nickel alloy grades. IN-100 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 855 MPa (124 ksi) against 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) for CW-6MC, about 171% more; tensile strength follows at 1,020 MPa (148 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi). In exchange, CW-6MC is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 9% for IN-100, and IN-100 is harder (375 HB vs 180 HB). IN-100 is lighter (7.75 g/cm³ vs 8.44 g/cm³ for CW-6MC) and IN-100 is stiffer (215 GPa vs 200 GPa). On the shop floor, CW-6MC machines more easily (poor vs not recommended) and CW-6MC welds better (excellent vs not recommended).

CW-6MCChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

IN-100Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

CW-6MC vs IN-100: properties

CW-6MCIN-100

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
215 GPa31.2 Msi

Shear Modulus

78 GPa11.3 Msi
83 GPa12 Msi

Bulk Modulus

172 GPa24.9 Msi
175 GPa25.4 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.31
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
1,020 MPa148 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

315 MPa45.7 ksi
855 MPa124 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
9%

Reduction in Area

40%
11%

Shear Strength

380 MPa55.1 ksi
660 MPa95.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

260 MPa37.7 ksi
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in
65 MPa·√m59.2 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

90 J66.4 ft·lbf
14 J10.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

180 HB
375 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

89 HRB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
40 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

—
395 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.44 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,290°C2,354 °F
1,265°C2,309 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,350°C2,462 °F
1,340°C2,444 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

9.8 W/m·K5.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
11 W/m·K6.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

410 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.8 µm/m·K7.1 µin/in·°F
12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

900°C1,652 °F
980°C1,796 °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
1.2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.29×10⁻⁶ Ω·m50.8 µΩ·in
1.4×10⁻⁶ Ω·m55.1 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

90 / 100
58 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.15 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

22 / 100
10 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

14%
8%

Weldability

85 / 100
5 / 100

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
3 / 100

Castability

65 / 100
80 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
45 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

155 MJ/kg66,638 BTU/lb
225 MJ/kg96,733 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

13 kg CO₂/kg
16 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

65 kN·m/kg
132 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

23.7 MN·m/kg
27.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

248 kJ/m³
1,700 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

2.8 mm²/s
3.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

2
4

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-6MCIN-100

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityCW-6MCIN-100
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-6MC vs IN-100 — frequently asked

Is IN-100 stronger than CW-6MC?

Yes. IN-100 has a typical yield strength of 855 MPa (124 ksi) against 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) for CW-6MC — about 171% more. Tensile strength is 1,020 MPa (148 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi).

Which is cheaper, CW-6MC or IN-100?

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-6MC or IN-100?

CW-6MC. Its machinability rates poor (22/100) against not recommended (10/100) for IN-100; for welding the order is CW-6MC first (excellent, 85/100) then IN-100 (not recommended, 5/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CW-6MC and IN-100 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.