Nickel Alloy Monel 400 vs Monel R-405
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Monel 400 and Monel R-405 are both nickel alloy grades. Monel R-405 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for Monel 400, about 88% more; tensile strength follows at 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi). In exchange, Monel 400 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 22% for Monel R-405, and Monel R-405 is harder (165 HB vs 125 HB). On the shop floor, Monel R-405 machines more easily (fair vs poor), Monel 400 welds better (very good vs poor), and Monel 400 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Monel R-405 (high, $$$$).
Monel 400Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
Monel R-405Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
Monel 400 vs Monel R-405: 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.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 179 GPa26 Msi · Shear Modulus 66 GPa9.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 152 GPa22 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.32
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,300°C2,372 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,350°C2,462 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 21.8 W/m·K12.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 427 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 13.9 µm/m·K7.7 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 480°C896 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 3.2 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 5.47×10⁻⁷ Ω·m21.5 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.15 V · 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)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Castability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 35%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 20.3 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 5.8 mm²/s · 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 R-405 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | O | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 1.5 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| HVOF Coating | Yes | — |
They share 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Monel 400 vs Monel R-405 — frequently asked
Is Monel R-405 stronger than Monel 400?
Yes. Monel R-405 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for Monel 400 — about 88% more. Tensile strength is 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Monel 400 or Monel R-405?
Monel 400 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Monel R-405 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, Monel 400 or Monel R-405?
Monel R-405. Its machinability rates fair (50/100) against poor (30/100) for Monel 400; for welding the order is Monel 400 first (very good, 82/100) then Monel R-405 (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Monel 400 and Monel R-405 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.