Nickel 200 vs Nitinol
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel 200 and Nitinol are both nickel alloy grades. Nitinol is the stronger of the two: yield strength 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 148 MPa (21.5 ksi) for Nickel 200, about 170% more; tensile strength follows at 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 462 MPa (67 ksi). In exchange, Nickel 200 is the more ductile: elongation 47% versus 30% for Nitinol. Nitinol is lighter (6.45 g/cm³ vs 8.89 g/cm³ for Nickel 200) and Nickel 200 is stiffer (204 GPa vs 75 GPa). On the shop floor, Nickel 200 machines more easily (fair vs not recommended) and Nickel 200 welds better (excellent vs fair).
Nickel 200Choose 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.
Nickel 200 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
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Compressive Strength
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
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.25 V
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
Typical Recycled Content
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 | Nickel 200 | Nitinol |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Nickel 200 vs Nitinol — frequently asked
Is Nitinol stronger than Nickel 200?
Yes. Nitinol has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 148 MPa (21.5 ksi) for Nickel 200 — about 170% more. Tensile strength is 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 462 MPa (67 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Nickel 200 or Nitinol?
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, Nickel 200 or Nitinol?
Nickel 200. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against not recommended (12/100) for Nitinol; for welding the order is Nickel 200 first (excellent, 85/100) then Nitinol (fair, 35/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Nickel 200 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.