Nickel Alloy CX2M vs CY-40
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy CX2M and CY-40 are both nickel alloy grades. CX2M is the stronger of the two: yield strength 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) for CY-40, about 35% more; tensile strength follows at 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi). CX2M is harder — 190 HB against 145 HB for CY-40 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. CY-40 runs hotter in service (1,000°C vs 550°C continuous) and CY-40 conducts heat better (14.8 W/m·K vs 10.5 W/m·K). On the shop floor, CY-40 machines more easily (28 vs 15 out of 100) and CX2M welds better (very good vs good).
CX2MChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
CY-40Choose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.
CX2M vs CY-40: 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
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.31
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)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
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
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 20 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Same in both: Embodied Water 350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 45%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 3
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 | CX2M | CY-40 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
CX2M vs CY-40 — frequently asked
Is CX2M stronger than CY-40?
Yes. CX2M has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) for CY-40 — about 35% more. Tensile strength is 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi).
Which is cheaper, CX2M or CY-40?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, CX2M or CY-40?
CY-40, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 15/100 for CX2M; for welding the order is CX2M first (very good, 80/100) then CY-40 (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CX2M and CY-40 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.