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

Refractory Metal · grade comparison

Refractory Metal 50Cr-50Ni-Cb and FeCr-LC are both refractory metal grades. 50Cr-50Ni-Cb is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) against 200 MPa (29 ksi) for FeCr-LC, about 195% more. 50Cr-50Ni-Cb is the more ductile: elongation 8% versus 0.1% for FeCr-LC, and FeCr-LC is harder (455 HB vs 210 HB). FeCr-LC is lighter (7.2 g/cm³ vs 7.8 g/cm³ for 50Cr-50Ni-Cb) and FeCr-LC is stiffer (220 GPa vs 190 GPa). On the shop floor, 50Cr-50Ni-Cb welds better (poor vs not recommended) and FeCr-LC sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 50Cr-50Ni-Cb (high, $$$$).

50Cr-50Ni-CbChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

FeCr-LCChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when cost is the deciding factor.

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

50Cr-50Ni-CbFeCr-LC

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

190 GPa27.6 Msi
220 GPa31.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

74 GPa10.7 Msi
—

Bulk Modulus

160 GPa23.2 Msi
—

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
—

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

590 MPa85.6 ksi
200 MPa29 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

390 MPa56.6 ksi
—

Elongation at Break

8%
0.1%

Reduction in Area

8%
—

Compressive Strength

700 MPa102 ksi
1,520 MPa220 ksi

Shear Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
145 MPa21 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

220 MPa31.9 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

35 MPa·√m31.9 ksi·√in
9 MPa·√m8.2 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

9 J6.6 ft·lbf
1 J0.74 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

210 HB
455 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

94 HRB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

16 HRC
48 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

220 HV
480 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,370°C2,498 °F
1,620°C2,948 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,430°C2,606 °F
1,660°C3,020 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

14 W/m·K8.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
16 W/m·K9.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
9.5 µm/m·K5.3 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

290 J/g125 BTU/lb
300 J/g129 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,100°C2,012 °F
850°C1,562 °F

Min Service Temperature

0°C32 °F
—

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 1.6 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.05×10⁻⁶ Ω·m41.3 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.15 V
—

Corrosion Resistance

88 / 100
45 / 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%
3%

Weldability

25 / 100
5 / 100

Formability (cold)

8 / 100
1 / 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
62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

10.5 kg CO₂/kg
5.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

220 L/kg26.4 gal/lb
60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
5%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

76 kN·m/kg
28 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.4 MN·m/kg
30.6 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

3.9 mm²/s
4.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

4
2

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-LC
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$ Budget
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

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

Is 50Cr-50Ni-Cb stronger than FeCr-LC?

Yes. 50Cr-50Ni-Cb has a typical tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) against 200 MPa (29 ksi) for FeCr-LC — about 195% more.

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

FeCr-LC 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-LC?

50Cr-50Ni-Cb, by a small margin. Both rate not recommended for machinability — 12/100 against 3/100 for FeCr-LC; for welding the order is 50Cr-50Ni-Cb first (poor, 25/100) then FeCr-LC (not recommended, 5/100).

Ready to make it?

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