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Nickel Alloy CX2MW vs CY-40

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy CX2MW and CY-40 are both nickel alloy grades. CX2MW is the stronger of the two: yield strength 335 MPa (48.6 ksi) against 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) for CY-40, about 37% more; tensile strength follows at 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi). CX2MW is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 38% for CY-40, and CX2MW is harder (200 HB vs 145 HB). CY-40 runs hotter in service (1,000°C vs 675°C continuous) and CY-40 conducts heat better (14.8 W/m·K vs 10.1 W/m·K). On the shop floor, CY-40 machines more easily (28 vs 15 out of 100) and CX2MW welds better (very good vs good).

CX2MWChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

CY-40Choose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.

CX2MW vs CY-40: properties

CX2MWCY-40

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

77 GPa11.2 Msi
76 GPa11 Msi

Bulk Modulus

176 GPa25.5 Msi
175 GPa25.4 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

620 MPa89.9 ksi
520 MPa75.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

335 MPa48.6 ksi
245 MPa35.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
38%

Shear Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
350 MPa50.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
215 MPa31.2 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

120 J88.5 ft·lbf
55 J40.6 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

200 HB
145 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

90 HRB
78 HRB

Compressive Strength

—
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
90 MPa·√m81.9 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

—
152 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.31 · Reduction in Area 40%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.69 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.45 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,357°C2,475 °F
1,354°C2,469 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,399°C2,550 °F
1,413°C2,575 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

10.1 W/m·K5.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
14.8 W/m·K8.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

414 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
444 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.4 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F
13.3 µm/m·K7.4 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

675°C1,247 °F
1,000°C1,832 °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

1.5 % IACS
1.7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.14×10⁻⁶ Ω·m44.9 µΩ·in
1.03×10⁻⁶ Ω·m40.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.15 V
-0.18 V

Corrosion Resistance

92 / 100
76 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

15 / 100
28 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

12%
15%

Weldability

75 / 100
60 / 100

Castability

60 / 100
58 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

50 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

65 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

—
20 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

145 MJ/kg62,339 BTU/lb
150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

12.5 kg CO₂/kg
12 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

200 L/kg24 gal/lb
350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
45%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

71 kN·m/kg
62 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

23 MN·m/kg
23.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

281 kJ/m³
150 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

2.8 mm²/s
3.9 mm²/s

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.

2005001,0006.577.588.59Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleCY-40CX2MW

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityCX2MWCY-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.

CX2MW vs CY-40 — frequently asked

Is CX2MW stronger than CY-40?

Yes. CX2MW has a typical yield strength of 335 MPa (48.6 ksi) against 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) for CY-40 — about 37% more. Tensile strength is 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi).

Which is cheaper, CX2MW 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, CX2MW or CY-40?

CY-40, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 15/100 for CX2MW; for welding the order is CX2MW first (very good, 75/100) then CY-40 (good, 60/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CX2MW 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.