Nickel Alloy Inconel 601 vs NiCr26MoW
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Inconel 601 and NiCr26MoW are both nickel alloy grades. NiCr26MoW is the stronger of the two: yield strength 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Inconel 601, about 13% more; tensile strength follows at 730 MPa (106 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi). NiCr26MoW is harder — 180 HB against 150 HB for Inconel 601 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Inconel 601 is lighter (8.11 g/cm³ vs 8.5 g/cm³ for NiCr26MoW).
Inconel 601Choose it when weight is the constraint.
NiCr26MoWChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Inconel 601 vs NiCr26MoW: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all nickel alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all nickel alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elongation at Break 45% · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 1,150°C2,102 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Same in both: Embodied Water 320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 40%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Inconel 601 | NiCr26MoW |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Inconel 601 vs NiCr26MoW — frequently asked
Is NiCr26MoW stronger than Inconel 601?
Yes. NiCr26MoW has a typical yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Inconel 601 — about 13% more. Tensile strength is 730 MPa (106 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Inconel 601 or NiCr26MoW?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Inconel 601 or NiCr26MoW?
Inconel 601, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 22/100 for NiCr26MoW; for welding the order is Inconel 601 first (very good, 78/100) then NiCr26MoW (very good, 70/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Inconel 601 and NiCr26MoW 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.