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Refractory Metal FS-85 vs T-111

Refractory Metal · grade comparison

Refractory Metal FS-85 and T-111 are both refractory metal grades. FS-85 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) for T-111, about 16% more; tensile strength follows at 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi). In exchange, T-111 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 22% for FS-85, and T-111 is harder (220 HB vs 208 HB). FS-85 is lighter (10.6 g/cm³ vs 16.8 g/cm³ for T-111) and T-111 is stiffer (200 GPa vs 138 GPa). On the shop floor, T-111 welds better (80 vs 70 out of 100).

FS-85Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

T-111Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

FS-85 vs T-111: properties

FS-85T-111

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

138 GPa20 Msi
200 GPa29 Msi

Shear Modulus

51 GPa7.4 Msi
74 GPa10.7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

155 GPa22.5 Msi
210 GPa30.5 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

585 MPa84.8 ksi
550 MPa79.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

480 MPa69.6 ksi
415 MPa60.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

22%
25%

Compressive Strength

490 MPa71.1 ksi
425 MPa61.6 ksi

Shear Strength

350 MPa50.8 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

260 MPa37.7 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

80 MPa·√m72.8 ksi·√in
100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

40 J29.5 ft·lbf
110 J81.1 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

208 HB
220 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

96 HRB
99 HRB

Hardness, Rockwell C

18 HRC
21 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

220 HV
235 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.35 · Reduction in Area 60%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

10.6 g/cm³0.38 lb/in³
16.8 g/cm³0.61 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

2,590°C4,694 °F
3,030°C5,486 °F

Liquidus Temperature

2,620°C4,748 °F
3,055°C5,531 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

40 W/m·K23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

215 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F
140 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

7 µm/m·K3.9 µin/in·°F
6.5 µm/m·K3.6 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,500°C2,732 °F
2,200°C3,992 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-253°C-423 °F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
195 J/g83.8 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

3.4 % IACS
6.9 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m19.7 µΩ·in
2.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.84 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.1 V
-0.05 V

Corrosion Resistance

72 / 100
93 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Weldability

70 / 100
80 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

—
30 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 25 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20% · Formability (cold) 70 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

900 MJ/kg386,931 BTU/lb
4,400 MJ/kg1,891,661 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

60 kg CO₂/kg
265 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

25%
20%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

55 kN·m/kg
33 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13 MN·m/kg
11.9 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

835 kJ/m³
431 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

17.6 mm²/s
17.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

24
18

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 scaleFS-85T-111

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityFS-85T-111
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

FS-85 vs T-111 — frequently asked

Is FS-85 stronger than T-111?

Yes. FS-85 has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) for T-111 — about 16% more. Tensile strength is 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi).

Which is cheaper, FS-85 or T-111?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which welds better, FS-85 or T-111?

T-111. Its weldability rates very good (80/100) against very good (70/100) for FS-85.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in FS-85 and T-111 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.