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Refractory Metal 50Cr-50Ni-Cb vs FeCr-HC

Refractory Metal · grade comparison

Refractory Metal 50Cr-50Ni-Cb and FeCr-HC are both refractory metal grades. FeCr-HC is harder — 63 HRC against 16 HRC for 50Cr-50Ni-Cb — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. FeCr-HC is lighter (7.1 g/cm³ vs 7.8 g/cm³ for 50Cr-50Ni-Cb) and FeCr-HC is stiffer (210 GPa vs 190 GPa). On the shop floor, FeCr-HC sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 50Cr-50Ni-Cb (high, $$$$).

50Cr-50Ni-CbChoose it when the part sees heat.

FeCr-HCChoose it when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.

50Cr-50Ni-Cb vs FeCr-HC: properties

50Cr-50Ni-CbFeCr-HC

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

190 GPa27.6 Msi
210 GPa30.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

74 GPa10.7 Msi
—

Bulk Modulus

160 GPa23.2 Msi
—

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.28

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

590 MPa85.6 ksi
—

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

390 MPa56.6 ksi
—

Elongation at Break

8%
—

Reduction in Area

8%
—

Shear Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
—

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

220 MPa31.9 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

35 MPa·√m31.9 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

9 J6.6 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

210 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

94 HRB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

16 HRC
63 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

220 HV
880 HV

Same in both: Compressive Strength 700 MPa102 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.1 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,370°C2,498 °F
1,450°C2,642 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,430°C2,606 °F
1,570°C2,858 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Specific Heat Capacity

460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
560 J/kg·K0.13 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
10 µm/m·K5.6 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

290 J/g125 BTU/lb
250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,100°C2,012 °F
600°C1,112 °F

Min Service Temperature

0°C32 °F
-40°C-40 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 14 W/m·K8.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.6 % IACS
—

Electrical Resistivity

1.05×10⁻⁶ Ω·m41.3 µΩ·in
1.1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m43.3 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.15 V
—

Corrosion Resistance

88 / 100
27 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

12 / 100
3 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

8%
—

Weldability

25 / 100
—

Formability (cold)

8 / 100
—

Castability

55 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

40 / 100
—

Polishability

45 / 100
—

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

135 MJ/kg58,040 BTU/lb
45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

10.5 kg CO₂/kg
3 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

220 L/kg26.4 gal/lb
50 L/kg6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
5%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.4 MN·m/kg
29.6 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

3.9 mm²/s
3.5 mm²/s

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every refractory metal grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

1502003005007001,0001,5005101520Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale50Cr-50Ni-Cb

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability50Cr-50Ni-CbFeCr-HC
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$ Budget
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

50Cr-50Ni-Cb vs FeCr-HC — frequently asked

What is the difference between 50Cr-50Ni-Cb and FeCr-HC?

Refractory Metal 50Cr-50Ni-Cb and FeCr-HC are both refractory metal grades. FeCr-HC is harder — 63 HRC against 16 HRC for 50Cr-50Ni-Cb — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. FeCr-HC is lighter (7.1 g/cm³ vs 7.8 g/cm³ for 50Cr-50Ni-Cb) and FeCr-HC is stiffer (210 GPa vs 190 GPa).

Which is cheaper, 50Cr-50Ni-Cb or FeCr-HC?

FeCr-HC is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 50Cr-50Ni-Cb 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, 50Cr-50Ni-Cb or FeCr-HC?

50Cr-50Ni-Cb, by a small margin. Both rate not recommended for machinability — 12/100 against 3/100 for FeCr-HC.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 50Cr-50Ni-Cb and FeCr-HC 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.