FabDigitFabDigit

Refractory Metal 60Cr-40Ni vs FeCr-HC

Refractory Metal · grade comparison

Refractory Metal 60Cr-40Ni and FeCr-HC are both refractory metal grades. FeCr-HC is harder — 63 HRC against 19 HRC for 60Cr-40Ni — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. FeCr-HC is lighter (7.1 g/cm³ vs 7.7 g/cm³ for 60Cr-40Ni) and 60Cr-40Ni is stiffer (225 GPa vs 210 GPa). On the shop floor, FeCr-HC sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 60Cr-40Ni (high, $$$$).

60Cr-40NiChoose it when the part sees heat.

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

60Cr-40Ni vs FeCr-HC: properties

60Cr-40NiFeCr-HC

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

225 GPa32.6 Msi
210 GPa30.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

88 GPa12.8 Msi
—

Bulk Modulus

175 GPa25.4 Msi
—

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

415 MPa60.2 ksi
—

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

310 MPa45 ksi
—

Elongation at Break

2%
—

Reduction in Area

2%
—

Compressive Strength

850 MPa123 ksi
700 MPa102 ksi

Shear Strength

290 MPa42.1 ksi
—

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

25 MPa·√m22.8 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

5 J3.7 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

220 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

96 HRB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

19 HRC
63 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

230 HV
880 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.28

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,350°C2,462 °F
1,450°C2,642 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,450°C2,642 °F
1,570°C2,858 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

15 W/m·K8.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
14 W/m·K8.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,150°C2,102 °F
600°C1,112 °F

Min Service Temperature

20°C68 °F
-40°C-40 °F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.5 % IACS
—

Electrical Resistivity

1.15×10⁻⁶ Ω·m45.3 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

82 / 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 %)

10%
—

Weldability

20 / 100
—

Formability (cold)

3 / 100
—

Castability

45 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

35 / 100
—

Polishability

55 / 100
—

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

95 MJ/kg40,843 BTU/lb
45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

8 kg CO₂/kg
3 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

15%
5%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

29.2 MN·m/kg
29.6 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

4.2 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 scale60Cr-40Ni

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability60Cr-40NiFeCr-HC
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$ Budget
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

60Cr-40Ni vs FeCr-HC — frequently asked

What is the difference between 60Cr-40Ni and FeCr-HC?

Refractory Metal 60Cr-40Ni and FeCr-HC are both refractory metal grades. FeCr-HC is harder — 63 HRC against 19 HRC for 60Cr-40Ni — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. FeCr-HC is lighter (7.1 g/cm³ vs 7.7 g/cm³ for 60Cr-40Ni) and 60Cr-40Ni is stiffer (225 GPa vs 210 GPa).

Which is cheaper, 60Cr-40Ni or FeCr-HC?

FeCr-HC is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 60Cr-40Ni 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, 60Cr-40Ni or FeCr-HC?

60Cr-40Ni, 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 60Cr-40Ni 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.