Nickel Alloy Rene 41 vs Waspaloy
Nickel Alloy · grade comparison
Nickel Alloy Rene 41 and Waspaloy are both nickel alloy grades. Rene 41 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,060 MPa (154 ksi) against 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for Waspaloy, about 104% more; tensile strength follows at 1,420 MPa (206 ksi) vs 930 MPa (135 ksi). In exchange, Waspaloy is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 14% for Rene 41, and Rene 41 is harder (350 HB vs 250 HB). Rene 41 runs hotter in service (870°C vs 650°C continuous) and Waspaloy conducts heat better (10.7 W/m·K vs 9 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Waspaloy welds better (fair vs poor) and Waspaloy sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Rene 41 (high, $$$$).
Rene 41Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
WaspaloyChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
Rene 41 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
Compressive Strength
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)
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)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb
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) -0.1 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
Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 35%
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 | Rene 41 | 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.
Rene 41 vs Waspaloy — frequently asked
Is Rene 41 stronger than Waspaloy?
Yes. Rene 41 has a typical yield strength of 1,060 MPa (154 ksi) against 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for Waspaloy — about 104% more. Tensile strength is 1,420 MPa (206 ksi) vs 930 MPa (135 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Rene 41 or Waspaloy?
Waspaloy is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Rene 41 is high ($$$$). 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, Rene 41 or Waspaloy?
Waspaloy. Its machinability rates poor (18/100) against not recommended (12/100) for Rene 41; for welding the order is Waspaloy first (fair, 35/100) then Rene 41 (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Rene 41 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.