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Nickel Alloy CY-40 vs Rene 80

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy CY-40 and Rene 80 are both nickel alloy grades. Rene 80 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 855 MPa (124 ksi) against 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) for CY-40, about 3.5 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi). In exchange, CY-40 is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 6% for Rene 80, and Rene 80 is harder (385 HV vs 152 HV). Rene 80 is lighter (8.16 g/cm³ vs 8.45 g/cm³ for CY-40) 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 (poor vs not recommended) and CY-40 welds better (good vs not recommended).

CY-40Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

Rene 80Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

CY-40 vs Rene 80: properties

CY-40Rene 80

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

76 GPa11 Msi
78 GPa11.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

175 GPa25.4 Msi
168 GPa24.4 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.31
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

520 MPa75.4 ksi
1,030 MPa149 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

245 MPa35.5 ksi
855 MPa124 ksi

Elongation at Break

38%
6%

Reduction in Area

40%
8%

Compressive Strength

250 MPa36.3 ksi
—

Shear Strength

350 MPa50.8 ksi
660 MPa95.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

215 MPa31.2 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

90 MPa·√m81.9 ksi·√in
75 MPa·√m68.3 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

55 J40.6 ft·lbf
20 J14.8 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

145 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

78 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

152 HV
385 HV

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
39 HRC

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.45 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.16 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,354°C2,469 °F
1,260°C2,300 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,413°C2,575 °F
1,345°C2,453 °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
10.5 W/m·K6.1 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
11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,000°C1,832 °F
980°C1,796 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-253°C-423 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.7 % IACS
1.3 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.03×10⁻⁶ Ω·m40.6 µΩ·in
1.3×10⁻⁶ Ω·m51.2 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
68 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

28 / 100
10 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

15%
8%

Weldability

60 / 100
12 / 100

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
3 / 100

Castability

58 / 100
72 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
70 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb
230 MJ/kg98,882 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

12 kg CO₂/kg
15 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb
500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

45%
25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

62 kN·m/kg
126 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

23.7 MN·m/kg
24.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

150 kJ/m³
1,828 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.9 mm²/s
3.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

3
5

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-40Rene 80

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityCY-40Rene 80
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 Rene 80 — frequently asked

Is Rene 80 stronger than CY-40?

Yes. Rene 80 has a typical yield strength of 855 MPa (124 ksi) against 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) for CY-40 — about 3.5 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi).

Which is cheaper, CY-40 or Rene 80?

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 Rene 80?

CY-40. Its machinability rates poor (28/100) against not recommended (10/100) for Rene 80; for welding the order is CY-40 first (good, 60/100) then Rene 80 (not recommended, 12/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CY-40 and Rene 80 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.