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Nickel Alloy CZ-100 vs K403

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy CZ-100 and K403 are both nickel alloy grades. K403 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 830 MPa (120 ksi) against 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) for CZ-100, about 5.2 times as much; tensile strength follows at 940 MPa (136 ksi) vs 380 MPa (55.1 ksi). In exchange, CZ-100 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 5% for K403, and K403 is harder (355 HB vs 110 HB). K403 is lighter (8.2 g/cm³ vs 8.85 g/cm³ for CZ-100) and K403 is stiffer (200 GPa vs 180 GPa). On the shop floor, CZ-100 machines more easily (fair vs not recommended) and CZ-100 welds better (good vs not recommended).

CZ-100Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

K403Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

CZ-100 vs K403: properties

CZ-100K403

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

180 GPa26.1 Msi
200 GPa29 Msi

Shear Modulus

70 GPa10.2 Msi
77 GPa11.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

170 GPa24.7 Msi
167 GPa24.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.31
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

380 MPa55.1 ksi
940 MPa136 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

160 MPa23.2 ksi
830 MPa120 ksi

Elongation at Break

25%
5%

Reduction in Area

30%
7%

Compressive Strength

165 MPa23.9 ksi
1,300 MPa189 ksi

Shear Strength

250 MPa36.3 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

140 MPa20.3 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

45 J33.2 ft·lbf
10 J7.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

110 HB
355 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

62 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

115 HV
380 HV

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
60 MPa·√m54.6 ksi·√in

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
38 HRC

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.85 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8.2 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,315°C2,399 °F
1,290°C2,354 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,400°C2,552 °F
1,350°C2,462 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
11 W/m·K6.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

456 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
440 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Latent Heat of Fusion

297 J/g128 BTU/lb
285 J/g123 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

480°C896 °F
950°C1,742 °F

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

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

12 % IACS
1.3 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.51 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)

-0.2 V
-0.15 V

Corrosion Resistance

78 / 100
70 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

35 / 100
12 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
8%

Weldability

60 / 100
10 / 100

Formability (cold)

25 / 100
3 / 100

Castability

65 / 100
70 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

65 / 100
45 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

165 MJ/kg70,937 BTU/lb
230 MJ/kg98,882 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

13 kg CO₂/kg
14.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

200 L/kg24 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

43 kN·m/kg
115 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

20.3 MN·m/kg
24.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

71 kJ/m³
1,722 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

12.4 mm²/s
3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

8
4

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 scaleCZ-100K403

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityCZ-100K403
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

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

CZ-100 vs K403 — frequently asked

Is K403 stronger than CZ-100?

Yes. K403 has a typical yield strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) against 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) for CZ-100 — about 5.2 times as much. Tensile strength is 940 MPa (136 ksi) vs 380 MPa (55.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, CZ-100 or K403?

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, CZ-100 or K403?

CZ-100. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against not recommended (12/100) for K403; for welding the order is CZ-100 first (good, 60/100) then K403 (not recommended, 10/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CZ-100 and K403 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.