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Nickel Alloy Inconel 725 vs Waspaloy

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy Inconel 725 and Waspaloy are both nickel alloy grades. Inconel 725 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 890 MPa (129 ksi) against 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for Waspaloy, about 71% more; tensile strength follows at 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 930 MPa (135 ksi). In exchange, Waspaloy is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 25% for Inconel 725, and Inconel 725 is harder (330 HB vs 250 HB). On the shop floor, Inconel 725 welds better (good vs fair) and Waspaloy sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Inconel 725 (high, $$$$).

Inconel 725Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.

WaspaloyChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

Inconel 725 vs Waspaloy: properties

Inconel 725Waspaloy

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

204 GPa29.6 Msi
211 GPa30.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

79 GPa11.5 Msi
81 GPa11.7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

162 GPa23.5 Msi
176 GPa25.5 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

1,240 MPa180 ksi
930 MPa135 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

890 MPa129 ksi
520 MPa75.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

25%
45%

Reduction in Area

42%
52%

Compressive Strength

920 MPa133 ksi
—

Shear Strength

740 MPa107 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

480 MPa69.6 ksi
360 MPa52.2 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

60 J44.3 ft·lbf
65 J47.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

330 HB
250 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

35 HRC
24 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

345 HV
262 HV

Same in both: Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,271°C2,320 °F
1,330°C2,426 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,343°C2,449 °F
1,360°C2,480 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

10.8 W/m·K6.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
10.7 W/m·K6.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

435 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.8 µm/m·K7.1 µin/in·°F
12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 650°C1,202 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.4 % IACS
1.4 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.2×10⁻⁶ Ω·m47.2 µΩ·in
1.24×10⁻⁶ Ω·m48.8 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

88 / 100
74 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.1 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

14 / 100
18 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

10%
11%

Weldability

55 / 100
35 / 100

Formability (cold)

25 / 100
45 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

—
40 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 50 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb
235 MJ/kg101,032 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

18 kg CO₂/kg
15.5 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

40%
35%

Same in both: Embodied Water 320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

149 kN·m/kg
114 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.5 MN·m/kg
25.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,941 kJ/m³
641 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3 mm²/s
2.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

5
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 scaleWaspaloyInconel 725

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityInconel 725Waspaloy
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—Solution Annealed
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$ Premium
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 725 vs Waspaloy — frequently asked

Is Inconel 725 stronger than Waspaloy?

Yes. Inconel 725 has a typical yield strength of 890 MPa (129 ksi) against 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for Waspaloy — about 71% more. Tensile strength is 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 930 MPa (135 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Inconel 725 or Waspaloy?

Waspaloy is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Inconel 725 is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which welds better, Inconel 725 or Waspaloy?

Inconel 725. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against fair (35/100) for Waspaloy.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Inconel 725 and Waspaloy 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.