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Refractory Metal 60Cr-40Ni vs FeCrSi

Refractory Metal · grade comparison

Refractory Metal 60Cr-40Ni and FeCrSi are both refractory metal grades. 60Cr-40Ni is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) against 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) for FeCrSi, about 3.5 times as much. 60Cr-40Ni is the more ductile: elongation 2% versus 0% for FeCrSi, and FeCrSi is harder (65 HRC vs 19 HRC). FeCrSi is lighter (5.2 g/cm³ vs 7.7 g/cm³ for 60Cr-40Ni) and 60Cr-40Ni is stiffer (225 GPa vs 150 GPa). On the shop floor, 60Cr-40Ni welds better (poor vs not recommended) and FeCrSi sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 60Cr-40Ni (high, $$$$).

60Cr-40NiChoose 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.

60Cr-40Ni vs FeCrSi: properties

60Cr-40NiFeCrSi

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

225 GPa32.6 Msi
150 GPa21.8 Msi

Shear Modulus

88 GPa12.8 Msi
—

Bulk Modulus

175 GPa25.4 Msi
—

Poisson's Ratio

0.28
—

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

415 MPa60.2 ksi
120 MPa17.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

310 MPa45 ksi
—

Elongation at Break

2%
0%

Reduction in Area

2%
0%

Compressive Strength

850 MPa123 ksi
900 MPa131 ksi

Shear Strength

290 MPa42.1 ksi
90 MPa13.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

25 MPa·√m22.8 ksi·√in
2.5 MPa·√m2.3 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

5 J3.7 ft·lbf
1 J0.74 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

220 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

96 HRB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

19 HRC
65 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

230 HV
850 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,350°C2,462 °F
1,290°C2,354 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,450°C2,642 °F
1,390°C2,534 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

15 W/m·K8.7 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
—

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,150°C2,102 °F
900°C1,652 °F

Min Service Temperature

20°C68 °F
—

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.5 % IACS
1.2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.15×10⁻⁶ Ω·m45.3 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

82 / 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 %)

10%
4%

Weldability

20 / 100
0 / 100

Formability (cold)

3 / 100
0 / 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
70 MJ/kg30,095 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

8 kg CO₂/kg
6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

220 L/kg26.4 gal/lb
—

Typical Recycled Content

15%
0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

54 kN·m/kg
23 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

29.2 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 scale60Cr-40Ni

Manufacturing and finishing

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

60Cr-40Ni vs FeCrSi — frequently asked

Is 60Cr-40Ni stronger than FeCrSi?

Yes. 60Cr-40Ni has a typical tensile strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) against 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) for FeCrSi — about 3.5 times as much.

Which is cheaper, 60Cr-40Ni or FeCrSi?

FeCrSi 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 FeCrSi?

60Cr-40Ni, by a small margin. Both rate not recommended for machinability — 12/100 against 4/100 for FeCrSi; for welding the order is 60Cr-40Ni first (poor, 20/100) then FeCrSi (not recommended, 0/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 60Cr-40Ni 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.