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Refractory Metal 50Cr-50Ni-Cb vs FeCrSi

Refractory Metal · grade comparison

Refractory Metal 50Cr-50Ni-Cb and FeCrSi are both refractory metal grades. 50Cr-50Ni-Cb is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) against 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) for FeCrSi, about 4.9 times as much. 50Cr-50Ni-Cb is the more ductile: elongation 8% versus 0% for FeCrSi, and FeCrSi is harder (65 HRC vs 16 HRC). FeCrSi is lighter (5.2 g/cm³ vs 7.8 g/cm³ for 50Cr-50Ni-Cb) and 50Cr-50Ni-Cb is stiffer (190 GPa vs 150 GPa). On the shop floor, 50Cr-50Ni-Cb welds better (poor vs not recommended) and FeCrSi 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.

FeCrSiChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when cost is the deciding factor.

50Cr-50Ni-Cb vs FeCrSi: properties

50Cr-50Ni-CbFeCrSi

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

190 GPa27.6 Msi
150 GPa21.8 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
120 MPa17.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

390 MPa56.6 ksi
—

Elongation at Break

8%
0%

Reduction in Area

8%
0%

Compressive Strength

700 MPa102 ksi
900 MPa131 ksi

Shear Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
90 MPa13.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

220 MPa31.9 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

35 MPa·√m31.9 ksi·√in
2.5 MPa·√m2.3 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

9 J6.6 ft·lbf
1 J0.74 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

210 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

94 HRB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

16 HRC
65 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

220 HV
850 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
5.2 g/cm³0.19 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,370°C2,498 °F
1,290°C2,354 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,430°C2,606 °F
1,390°C2,534 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

14 W/m·K8.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
9 W/m·K5.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
—

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
—

Latent Heat of Fusion

290 J/g125 BTU/lb
—

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,100°C2,012 °F
900°C1,652 °F

Min Service Temperature

0°C32 °F
—

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.6 % IACS
1.2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.05×10⁻⁶ Ω·m41.3 µΩ·in
1.4×10⁻⁶ Ω·m55.1 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.15 V
—

Corrosion Resistance

88 / 100
42 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

12 / 100
4 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

8%
4%

Weldability

25 / 100
0 / 100

Formability (cold)

8 / 100
0 / 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
70 MJ/kg30,095 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

10.5 kg CO₂/kg
6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

220 L/kg26.4 gal/lb
—

Typical Recycled Content

30%
0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

76 kN·m/kg
23 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.4 MN·m/kg
28.8 MN·m/kg

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

50Cr-50Ni-Cb vs FeCrSi — frequently asked

Is 50Cr-50Ni-Cb stronger than FeCrSi?

Yes. 50Cr-50Ni-Cb has a typical tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) against 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) for FeCrSi — about 4.9 times as much.

Which is cheaper, 50Cr-50Ni-Cb or FeCrSi?

FeCrSi 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 FeCrSi?

50Cr-50Ni-Cb, by a small margin. Both rate not recommended for machinability — 12/100 against 4/100 for FeCrSi; for welding the order is 50Cr-50Ni-Cb first (poor, 25/100) then FeCrSi (not recommended, 0/100).

Ready to make it?

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