Nickel Alloy Nimonic 90 SOFT vs Nimonic 90-STA
Nickel Alloy · Nimonic 90 temper comparison
Nimonic 90 SOFT and Nimonic 90-STA are two conditions of the same nickel alloy grade, Nimonic 90: SOFT (softened / annealed) versus STA (solution treated and aged). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Nimonic 90-STA is the stronger of the two: yield strength 810 MPa (117 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for Nimonic 90 SOFT, about 125% more; tensile strength follows at 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 850 MPa (123 ksi). In exchange, Nimonic 90 SOFT is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 27% for Nimonic 90-STA, and Nimonic 90-STA is harder (330 HB vs 185 HB). On the shop floor, Nimonic 90 SOFT welds better (fair vs poor).
Nimonic 90 SOFTChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
Nimonic 90-STAChoose it when strength drives the design.
Nimonic 90 SOFT vs Nimonic 90-STA: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 83 GPa12 Msi · Bulk Modulus 178 GPa25.8 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.31
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8.19 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,310°C2,390 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,370°C2,498 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 461 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.7 µm/m·K7.1 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
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) -0.15 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Castability 35 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 240 MJ/kg103,182 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 16 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%
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.
Nimonic 90 SOFT vs Nimonic 90-STA — frequently asked
Is Nimonic 90-STA stronger than Nimonic 90 SOFT?
Yes. Nimonic 90-STA has a typical yield strength of 810 MPa (117 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for Nimonic 90 SOFT — about 125% more. Tensile strength is 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 850 MPa (123 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, SOFT or STA?
STA is the default Nimonic 90 condition in the FabDigit quote flow. The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which is easier to machine, Nimonic 90 SOFT or Nimonic 90-STA?
Nimonic 90 SOFT. Its machinability rates poor (22/100) against not recommended (14/100) for Nimonic 90-STA; for welding the order is Nimonic 90 SOFT first (fair, 50/100) then Nimonic 90-STA (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Nimonic 90 SOFT and Nimonic 90-STA 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.