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Nickel Alloy CW6M vs CZ-100

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy CW6M and CZ-100 are both nickel alloy grades. CW6M is the stronger of the two: yield strength 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) for CZ-100, about 94% more; tensile strength follows at 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 380 MPa (55.1 ksi). CW6M is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 25% for CZ-100, and CW6M is harder (185 HB vs 110 HB). CW6M is stiffer (200 GPa vs 180 GPa) and CW6M runs hotter in service (650°C vs 480°C continuous). On the shop floor, CZ-100 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and CW6M welds better (very good vs good).

CW6MChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

CZ-100Choose it when the part is machined in volume.

CW6M vs CZ-100: properties

CW6MCZ-100

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
180 GPa26.1 Msi

Shear Modulus

77 GPa11.2 Msi
70 GPa10.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

180 GPa26.1 Msi
170 GPa24.7 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

310 MPa45 ksi
160 MPa23.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
25%

Reduction in Area

40%
30%

Shear Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

240 MPa34.8 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

90 J66.4 ft·lbf
45 J33.2 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

185 HB
110 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

90 HRB
62 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

195 HV
115 HV

Compressive Strength

—
165 MPa23.9 ksi

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.31

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.9 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8.85 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,325°C2,417 °F
1,315°C2,399 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,390°C2,534 °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
50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

427 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
456 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.2 µm/m·K6.2 µin/in·°F
13.3 µm/m·K7.4 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

290 J/g125 BTU/lb
297 J/g128 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

650°C1,202 °F
480°C896 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.4 % IACS
12 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.25×10⁻⁶ Ω·m49.2 µΩ·in
1.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.51 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.08 V
-0.2 V

Corrosion Resistance

92 / 100
78 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

20 / 100
35 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

12%
30%

Weldability

75 / 100
60 / 100

Castability

55 / 100
65 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

50 / 100
65 / 100

Formability (cold)

—
25 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

155 MJ/kg66,638 BTU/lb
165 MJ/kg70,937 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

13.5 kg CO₂/kg
13 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb
200 L/kg24 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

45%
40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

62 kN·m/kg
43 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

22.5 MN·m/kg
20.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

240 kJ/m³
71 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

2.7 mm²/s
12.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

3
8

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 scaleCZ-100CW6M

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityCW6MCZ-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.

CW6M vs CZ-100 — frequently asked

Is CW6M stronger than CZ-100?

Yes. CW6M has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) for CZ-100 — about 94% more. Tensile strength is 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 380 MPa (55.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, CW6M or CZ-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, CW6M or CZ-100?

CZ-100. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (20/100) for CW6M; for welding the order is CW6M first (very good, 75/100) then CZ-100 (good, 60/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CW6M and CZ-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.