Nickel Alloy Nimonic 115 vs Waspaloy
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Nimonic 115 and Waspaloy are both nickel alloy grades. Nimonic 115 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 865 MPa (125 ksi) against 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for Waspaloy, about 66% more; tensile strength follows at 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 930 MPa (135 ksi). In exchange, Waspaloy is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 25% for Nimonic 115, and Nimonic 115 is harder (360 HB vs 250 HB). Nimonic 115 is lighter (7.85 g/cm³ vs 8.19 g/cm³ for Waspaloy) and Nimonic 115 is stiffer (224 GPa vs 211 GPa). On the shop floor, Waspaloy welds better (fair vs not recommended) and Waspaloy sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Nimonic 115 (high, $$$$).
Nimonic 115Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
WaspaloyChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
Nimonic 115 vs Waspaloy: 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)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 1,360°C2,480 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 10.7 W/m·K6.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °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)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100
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 | Nimonic 115 | Waspaloy |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Solution Annealed |
| 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.
Nimonic 115 vs Waspaloy — frequently asked
Is Nimonic 115 stronger than Waspaloy?
Yes. Nimonic 115 has a typical yield strength of 865 MPa (125 ksi) against 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for Waspaloy — about 66% more. Tensile strength is 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 930 MPa (135 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Nimonic 115 or Waspaloy?
Waspaloy is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Nimonic 115 is high ($$$$). 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, Nimonic 115 or Waspaloy?
Waspaloy. Its machinability rates poor (18/100) against not recommended (10/100) for Nimonic 115; for welding the order is Waspaloy first (fair, 35/100) then Nimonic 115 (not recommended, 8/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Nimonic 115 and Waspaloy 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.