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Refractory Metal 50Cr-50Ni vs FeCrSi

Refractory Metal · grade comparison

Refractory Metal 50Cr-50Ni and FeCrSi are both refractory metal grades. 50Cr-50Ni is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) for FeCrSi, about 4.6 times as much. 50Cr-50Ni is the more ductile: elongation 8% versus 0% for FeCrSi, and FeCrSi is harder (65 HRC vs 20 HRC). FeCrSi is lighter (5.2 g/cm³ vs 7.85 g/cm³ for 50Cr-50Ni) and 50Cr-50Ni is stiffer (200 GPa vs 150 GPa). On the shop floor, 50Cr-50Ni machines more easily (poor vs not recommended), 50Cr-50Ni welds better (poor vs not recommended), and FeCrSi sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 50Cr-50Ni (high, $$$$).

50Cr-50NiChoose 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 vs FeCrSi: properties

50Cr-50NiFeCrSi

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
150 GPa21.8 Msi

Shear Modulus

78 GPa11.3 Msi
—

Bulk Modulus

170 GPa24.7 Msi
—

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
—

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
120 MPa17.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

340 MPa49.3 ksi
—

Elongation at Break

8%
0%

Reduction in Area

8%
0%

Shear Strength

330 MPa47.9 ksi
90 MPa13.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

190 MPa27.6 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

30 MPa·√m27.3 ksi·√in
2.5 MPa·√m2.3 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

6 J4.4 ft·lbf
1 J0.74 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

230 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

98 HRB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

20 HRC
65 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

242 HV
850 HV

Same in both: Compressive Strength 900 MPa131 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,390°C2,534 °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

330 J/g142 BTU/lb
—

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,100°C2,012 °F
900°C1,652 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.7 % IACS
1.2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m39.4 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

85 / 100
42 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

15 / 100
4 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

8%
4%

Weldability

20 / 100
0 / 100

Formability (cold)

5 / 100
0 / 100

Castability

55 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

30 / 100
—

Polishability

45 / 100
—

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

100 MJ/kg42,992 BTU/lb
70 MJ/kg30,095 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

9.5 kg CO₂/kg
6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
—

Typical Recycled Content

20%
0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

70 kN·m/kg
23 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.5 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

Manufacturing and finishing

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

50Cr-50Ni vs FeCrSi — frequently asked

Is 50Cr-50Ni stronger than FeCrSi?

Yes. 50Cr-50Ni has a typical tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) for FeCrSi — about 4.6 times as much.

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

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

50Cr-50Ni. Its machinability rates poor (15/100) against not recommended (4/100) for FeCrSi; for welding the order is 50Cr-50Ni first (poor, 20/100) then FeCrSi (not recommended, 0/100).

Ready to make it?

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