FabDigitFabDigit

Nickel Alloy Ni Briquette vs Nitinol

Nickel Alloy · grade comparison

Nickel Alloy Ni Briquette and Nitinol are both nickel alloy grades. Nitinol is the stronger of the two: yield strength 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) for Ni Briquette, about 167% more; tensile strength follows at 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 420 MPa (60.9 ksi). In exchange, Ni Briquette is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 30% for Nitinol, and Nitinol is harder (250 HV vs 95 HV). Nitinol is lighter (6.45 g/cm³ vs 8.9 g/cm³ for Ni Briquette) and Ni Briquette is stiffer (200 GPa vs 75 GPa). On the shop floor, Ni Briquette machines more easily (fair vs not recommended), Ni Briquette welds better (very good vs fair), and Nitinol sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Ni Briquette (high, $$$$).

Ni BriquetteChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

NitinolChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

Ni Briquette vs Nitinol: properties

Ni BriquetteNitinol

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
75 GPa10.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

76 GPa11 Msi
24 GPa3.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

180 GPa26.1 Msi
—

Poisson's Ratio

0.31
0.33

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

420 MPa60.9 ksi
950 MPa138 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
30%

Reduction in Area

70%
—

Shear Strength

300 MPa43.5 ksi
—

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

240 MPa34.8 ksi
350 MPa50.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in
40 MPa·√m36.4 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

200 J148 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

90 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

50 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

95 HV
250 HV

Compressive Strength

—
1,000 MPa145 ksi

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
22 HRC

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.9 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
6.45 g/cm³0.23 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,455°C2,651 °F
1,300°C2,372 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,455°C2,651 °F
1,310°C2,390 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

90 W/m·K52 BTU/hr·ft·°F
18 W/m·K10.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

456 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

13.3 µm/m·K7.4 µin/in·°F
11 µm/m·K6.1 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

298 J/g128 BTU/lb
—

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

315°C599 °F
300°C572 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

24 % IACS
1.7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

7.2×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.83 µΩ·in
1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m39.4 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.2 V
-0.25 V

Corrosion Resistance

72 / 100
82 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

42 / 100
12 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

40%
10%

Weldability

75 / 100
35 / 100

Formability (cold)

85 / 100
45 / 100

Castability

55 / 100
15 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

75 / 100
20 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

180 MJ/kg77,386 BTU/lb
400 MJ/kg171,969 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

14 kg CO₂/kg
26 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb
900 L/kg108 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

0%
5%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

47 kN·m/kg
147 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

22.5 MN·m/kg
11.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

56 kJ/m³
1,067 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

22.2 mm²/s
5.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

14
21

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 scaleNitinolNi Briquette

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityNi BriquetteNitinol
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—O
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.

Ni Briquette vs Nitinol — frequently asked

Is Nitinol stronger than Ni Briquette?

Yes. Nitinol has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) for Ni Briquette — about 167% more. Tensile strength is 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 420 MPa (60.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Ni Briquette or Nitinol?

Nitinol is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Ni Briquette is high ($$$$). 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, Ni Briquette or Nitinol?

Ni Briquette. Its machinability rates fair (42/100) against not recommended (12/100) for Nitinol; for welding the order is Ni Briquette first (very good, 75/100) then Nitinol (fair, 35/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Ni Briquette and Nitinol 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.