Nickel Alloy Inconel 718 vs Nimonic 115
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Inconel 718 and Nimonic 115 are both nickel alloy grades. Nimonic 115 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 865 MPa (125 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for Inconel 718, about 57% more; tensile strength follows at 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 965 MPa (140 ksi). In exchange, Inconel 718 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 25% for Nimonic 115, and Nimonic 115 is harder (360 HB vs 200 HB). Nimonic 115 is lighter (7.85 g/cm³ vs 8.19 g/cm³ for Inconel 718) and Nimonic 115 is stiffer (224 GPa vs 200 GPa). On the shop floor, Inconel 718 welds better (very good vs not recommended) and Inconel 718 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Nimonic 115 (high, $$$$).
Inconel 718Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
Nimonic 115Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Inconel 718 vs Nimonic 115: 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)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Rockwell C
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
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 78 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 718 | Nimonic 115 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| 3D printing | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Solution Annealed | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 1.5 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| HVOF Coating | Yes | — |
They share 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Inconel 718 vs Nimonic 115 — frequently asked
Is Nimonic 115 stronger than Inconel 718?
Yes. Nimonic 115 has a typical yield strength of 865 MPa (125 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for Inconel 718 — about 57% more. Tensile strength is 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 965 MPa (140 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Inconel 718 or Nimonic 115?
Inconel 718 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Nimonic 115 is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, Inconel 718 or Nimonic 115?
Inconel 718. Its machinability rates poor (18/100) against not recommended (10/100) for Nimonic 115; for welding the order is Inconel 718 first (very good, 70/100) then Nimonic 115 (not recommended, 8/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Inconel 718 and Nimonic 115 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.