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Nickel Alloy CY-40 vs Nickel Beryllium 360

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy CY-40 and Nickel Beryllium 360 are both nickel alloy grades. Nickel Beryllium 360 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) against 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) for CY-40, about 5.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi). In exchange, CY-40 is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 7% for Nickel Beryllium 360, and Nickel Beryllium 360 is harder (545 HV vs 152 HV). CY-40 runs hotter in service (1,000°C vs 400°C continuous) and Nickel Beryllium 360 conducts heat better (48 W/m·K vs 14.8 W/m·K). On the shop floor, CY-40 welds better (good vs fair).

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

Nickel Beryllium 360Choose it when strength drives the design.

CY-40 vs Nickel Beryllium 360: properties

CY-40Nickel Beryllium 360

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
207 GPa30 Msi

Shear Modulus

76 GPa11 Msi
79 GPa11.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

175 GPa25.4 Msi
171 GPa24.8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.31
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

520 MPa75.4 ksi
1,650 MPa239 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

245 MPa35.5 ksi
1,240 MPa180 ksi

Elongation at Break

38%
7%

Reduction in Area

40%
15%

Compressive Strength

250 MPa36.3 ksi
1,250 MPa181 ksi

Shear Strength

350 MPa50.8 ksi
950 MPa138 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

215 MPa31.2 ksi
520 MPa75.4 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

90 MPa·√m81.9 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

55 J40.6 ft·lbf
12 J8.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

145 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

78 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

152 HV
545 HV

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
52 HRC

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.45 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.26 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,354°C2,469 °F
1,300°C2,372 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,413°C2,575 °F
1,370°C2,498 °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
48 W/m·K27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

13.3 µm/m·K7.4 µin/in·°F
13.2 µm/m·K7.3 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

290 J/g125 BTU/lb
295 J/g127 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,000°C1,832 °F
400°C752 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.7 % IACS
7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.03×10⁻⁶ Ω·m40.6 µΩ·in
2.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.84 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
65 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

28 / 100
22 / 100

Weldability

60 / 100
35 / 100

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
12 / 100

Castability

58 / 100
45 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
80 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 15%

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb
320 MJ/kg137,575 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

12 kg CO₂/kg
22 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb
600 L/kg71.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

45%
20%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

62 kN·m/kg
200 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

23.7 MN·m/kg
25.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

150 kJ/m³
3,714 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.9 mm²/s
13.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

3
29

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-40Nickel Beryllium 360

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityCY-40Nickel Beryllium 360
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 Nickel Beryllium 360 — frequently asked

Is Nickel Beryllium 360 stronger than CY-40?

Yes. Nickel Beryllium 360 has a typical yield strength of 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) against 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) for CY-40 — about 5.1 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi).

Which is cheaper, CY-40 or Nickel Beryllium 360?

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 Nickel Beryllium 360?

CY-40, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 22/100 for Nickel Beryllium 360; for welding the order is CY-40 first (good, 60/100) then Nickel Beryllium 360 (fair, 35/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CY-40 and Nickel Beryllium 360 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.