Nickel Alloy Monel K500 vs Monel R-405
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Monel K500 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 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Monel K500, about 45% more. In exchange, Monel K500 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 22% for Monel R-405, and Monel R-405 is harder (165 HB vs 150 HB). Monel K500 is lighter (8.44 g/cm³ vs 8.83 g/cm³ for Monel R-405) and Monel R-405 conducts heat better (21.8 W/m·K vs 17.5 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Monel R-405 machines more easily (fair vs poor), Monel K500 welds better (good vs poor), and Monel K500 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Monel R-405 (high, $$$$).
Monel K500Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
Monel R-405Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
Monel K500 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.
Bulk Modulus
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, Rockwell C
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 179 GPa26 Msi · Shear Modulus 66 GPa9.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.32
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)
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 480°C896 °F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °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
Polishability
Castability
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 K500 | Monel R-405 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | O | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 1.5 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| HVOF Coating | Yes | — |
They share 3 finishes: Gold Plating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Monel K500 vs Monel R-405 — frequently asked
Is Monel R-405 stronger than Monel K500?
Yes. Monel R-405 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for Monel K500 — about 45% more. Tensile strength is 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Monel K500 or Monel R-405?
Monel K500 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) 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 K500 or Monel R-405?
Monel R-405. Its machinability rates fair (50/100) against poor (18/100) for Monel K500; for welding the order is Monel K500 first (good, 65/100) then Monel R-405 (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Monel K500 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.