Nickel Alloy Ni Shot vs Nitinol
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Ni Shot and Nitinol are both nickel alloy grades. Nitinol is the stronger of the two: yield strength 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) for Ni Shot, about 3.3 times as much; tensile strength follows at 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 420 MPa (60.9 ksi). In exchange, Ni Shot is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 30% for Nitinol. Nitinol is lighter (6.45 g/cm³ vs 8.9 g/cm³ for Ni Shot) and Ni Shot is stiffer (207 GPa vs 75 GPa). On the shop floor, Nitinol sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Ni Shot (high, $$$$).
Ni ShotChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
NitinolChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Ni Shot vs Nitinol: 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Compressive Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
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
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
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)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 5%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | Ni Shot | Nitinol |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Shot vs Nitinol — frequently asked
Is Nitinol stronger than Ni Shot?
Yes. Nitinol has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) for Ni Shot — about 3.3 times as much. Tensile strength is 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 420 MPa (60.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Ni Shot or Nitinol?
Nitinol is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Ni Shot is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
When should I choose Ni Shot over Nitinol?
Pick Ni Shot when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded. Pick Nitinol when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Ni Shot 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.