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Nickel Alloy CY-40 vs N7M

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy CY-40 and N7M are both nickel alloy grades. N7M is the stronger of the two: yield strength 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) for CY-40, about 27% more; tensile strength follows at 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi). In exchange, CY-40 is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 30% for N7M, and N7M is harder (187 HB vs 145 HB). CY-40 is lighter (8.45 g/cm³ vs 9.22 g/cm³ for N7M) and CY-40 runs hotter in service (1,000°C vs 450°C continuous).

CY-40Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

N7MChoose it when strength drives the design.

CY-40 vs N7M: properties

CY-40N7M

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
210 GPa30.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

76 GPa11 Msi
79 GPa11.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

175 GPa25.4 Msi
194 GPa28.1 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.31
0.32

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

520 MPa75.4 ksi
585 MPa84.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

245 MPa35.5 ksi
310 MPa45 ksi

Elongation at Break

38%
30%

Reduction in Area

40%
30%

Compressive Strength

250 MPa36.3 ksi
—

Shear Strength

350 MPa50.8 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

215 MPa31.2 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

90 MPa·√m81.9 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

55 J40.6 ft·lbf
90 J66.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

145 HB
187 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

78 HRB
92 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

152 HV
200 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.45 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
9.22 g/cm³0.33 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,354°C2,469 °F
1,330°C2,426 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,413°C2,575 °F
1,380°C2,516 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

14.8 W/m·K8.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
11.1 W/m·K6.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

444 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
373 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

13.3 µm/m·K7.4 µin/in·°F
10.3 µm/m·K5.7 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

290 J/g125 BTU/lb
—

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,000°C1,832 °F
450°C842 °F

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

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.7 % IACS
1.3 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.03×10⁻⁶ Ω·m40.6 µΩ·in
1.37×10⁻⁶ Ω·m53.9 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.18 V
-0.15 V

Corrosion Resistance

76 / 100
84 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

28 / 100
22 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

15%
12%

Weldability

60 / 100
68 / 100

Castability

58 / 100
62 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
70 / 100

Same in both: Formability (cold) 20 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb
180 MJ/kg77,386 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

12 kg CO₂/kg
13.5 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

45%
40%

Same in both: Embodied Water 350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

62 kN·m/kg
63 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

23.7 MN·m/kg
22.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

150 kJ/m³
229 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.9 mm²/s
3.2 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-40N7M

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityCY-40N7M
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.

CY-40 vs N7M — frequently asked

Is N7M stronger than CY-40?

Yes. N7M has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) for CY-40 — about 27% more. Tensile strength is 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi).

Which is cheaper, CY-40 or N7M?

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, CY-40 or N7M?

CY-40, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 22/100 for N7M; for welding the order is N7M first (good, 68/100) then CY-40 (good, 60/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CY-40 and N7M 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.