Nickel Alloy Monel 400 vs Monel K500
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Monel 400 and Monel K500 are both nickel alloy grades. Monel K500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for Monel 400, about 29% more; tensile strength follows at 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi). Monel K500 is harder — 150 HB against 125 HB for Monel 400 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Monel K500 is lighter (8.44 g/cm³ vs 8.8 g/cm³ for Monel 400) and Monel 400 conducts heat better (21.8 W/m·K vs 17.5 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Monel 400 machines more easily (30 vs 18 out of 100), Monel 400 welds better (very good vs good), and Monel 400 forms better (excellent vs very good).
Monel 400Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when it will be welded.
Monel K500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Monel 400 vs Monel K500: 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.
Bulk Modulus
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
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell C
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 179 GPa26 Msi · Shear Modulus 66 GPa9.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.32 · Elongation at Break 45%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 1,350°C2,462 °F
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
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 480°C896 °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)
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100
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
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Monel 400 | Monel K500 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | O | O |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | 1.5 mm | 1.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 5 finishes: Electropolishing, Gold Plating, HVOF Coating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Monel 400 vs Monel K500 — frequently asked
Is Monel K500 stronger than Monel 400?
Yes. Monel K500 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for Monel 400 — about 29% more. Tensile strength is 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Monel 400 or Monel K500?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$, premium); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Monel 400 or Monel K500?
Monel 400, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 18/100 for Monel K500; for welding the order is Monel 400 first (very good, 82/100) then Monel K500 (good, 65/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Monel 400 and Monel K500 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.