Nickel 205 vs Nitinol
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel 205 and Nitinol are both nickel alloy grades. Nitinol is the stronger of the two: yield strength 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 145 MPa (21 ksi) for Nickel 205, about 176% more; tensile strength follows at 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 440 MPa (63.8 ksi). In exchange, Nickel 205 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 30% for Nitinol, and Nitinol is harder (250 HV vs 100 HV). Nitinol is lighter (6.45 g/cm³ vs 8.89 g/cm³ for Nickel 205) and Nickel 205 is stiffer (207 GPa vs 75 GPa). On the shop floor, Nickel 205 machines more easily (poor vs not recommended), Nickel 205 welds better (very good vs fair), and Nitinol sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Nickel 205 (high, $$$$).
Nickel 205Choose 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 205 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
Hardness, Vickers
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell C
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 205 | 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.
Nickel 205 vs Nitinol — frequently asked
Is Nitinol stronger than Nickel 205?
Yes. Nitinol has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 145 MPa (21 ksi) for Nickel 205 — about 176% more. Tensile strength is 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 440 MPa (63.8 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Nickel 205 or Nitinol?
Nitinol is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Nickel 205 is high ($$$$). 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, Nickel 205 or Nitinol?
Nickel 205. Its machinability rates poor (32/100) against not recommended (12/100) for Nitinol; for welding the order is Nickel 205 first (very good, 80/100) then Nitinol (fair, 35/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Nickel 205 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.