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Nickel Alloy Inconel 718 vs Rene 41

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy Inconel 718 and Rene 41 are both nickel alloy grades. Rene 41 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,060 MPa (154 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for Inconel 718, about 93% more; tensile strength follows at 1,420 MPa (206 ksi) vs 965 MPa (140 ksi). In exchange, Inconel 718 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 14% for Rene 41, and Rene 41 is harder (350 HB vs 200 HB). Rene 41 is stiffer (218 GPa vs 200 GPa) and Rene 41 runs hotter in service (870°C vs 540°C continuous). On the shop floor, Inconel 718 welds better (very good vs poor) and Inconel 718 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Rene 41 (high, $$$$).

Inconel 718Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

Rene 41Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

Inconel 718 vs Rene 41: properties

Inconel 718Rene 41

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
218 GPa31.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

78 GPa11.3 Msi
85 GPa12.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

163 GPa23.6 Msi
190 GPa27.6 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.31

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

965 MPa140 ksi
1,420 MPa206 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
1,060 MPa154 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
14%

Reduction in Area

55%
20%

Shear Strength

620 MPa89.9 ksi
830 MPa120 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

420 MPa60.9 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in
95 MPa·√m86.5 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

130 J95.9 ft·lbf
30 J22.1 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

200 HB
350 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

92 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

210 HV
375 HV

Compressive Strength

—
1,100 MPa160 ksi

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
38 HRC

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.19 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
8.25 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,260°C2,300 °F
1,315°C2,399 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,336°C2,437 °F
1,370°C2,498 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

11.4 W/m·K6.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
9 W/m·K5.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

13 µm/m·K7.2 µin/in·°F
12.1 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

210 J/g90.3 BTU/lb
290 J/g125 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

540°C1,004 °F
870°C1,598 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -253°C-423 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.4 % IACS
1.3 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.25×10⁻⁶ Ω·m49.2 µΩ·in
1.31×10⁻⁶ Ω·m51.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.1 V · Corrosion Resistance 78 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

18 / 100
12 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

14%
10%

Weldability

70 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
20 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
30 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb
230 MJ/kg98,882 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

16 kg CO₂/kg
17 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

118 kN·m/kg
172 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.4 MN·m/kg
26.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

756 kJ/m³
2,577 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.2 mm²/s
2.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

4
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 scaleInconel 718Rene 41

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityInconel 718Rene 41
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
3D printingYes—
Default conditionSolution Annealed—
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$$ High
Min. machined wall1.5 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µm—
ElectropolishingYes—
HVOF CoatingYes—

They share 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.

Inconel 718 vs Rene 41 — frequently asked

Is Rene 41 stronger than Inconel 718?

Yes. Rene 41 has a typical yield strength of 1,060 MPa (154 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for Inconel 718 — about 93% more. Tensile strength is 1,420 MPa (206 ksi) vs 965 MPa (140 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Inconel 718 or Rene 41?

Inconel 718 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Rene 41 is high ($$$$). 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 Rene 41?

Inconel 718. Its machinability rates poor (18/100) against not recommended (12/100) for Rene 41; for welding the order is Inconel 718 first (very good, 70/100) then Rene 41 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Inconel 718 and Rene 41 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.