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Refractory Metal I-220H vs S-65C

Refractory Metal · grade comparison

Refractory Metal I-220H and S-65C are both refractory metal grades. I-220H is the stronger of the two: yield strength 345 MPa (50 ksi) against 241 MPa (35 ksi) for S-65C, about 43% more; tensile strength follows at 462 MPa (67 ksi) vs 324 MPa (47 ksi). In exchange, S-65C is the more ductile: elongation 4.5% versus 2% for I-220H, and I-220H is harder (180 HB vs 90 HB). On the shop floor, S-65C machines more easily (fair vs poor).

I-220HChoose it when strength drives the design.

S-65CChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

I-220H vs S-65C: properties

I-220HS-65C

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

138 GPa20 Msi
142 GPa20.6 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

462 MPa67 ksi
324 MPa47 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

345 MPa50 ksi
241 MPa35 ksi

Elongation at Break

2%
4.5%

Reduction in Area

2%
—

Compressive Strength

450 MPa65.3 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Shear Strength

225 MPa32.6 ksi
200 MPa29 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

205 MPa29.7 ksi
180 MPa26.1 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

10 MPa·√m9.1 ksi·√in
11 MPa·√m10 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

2 J1.1 ft·lbf
2 J1.5 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

180 HB
90 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

88 HRB
75 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

190 HV
115 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 303 GPa43.9 Msi · Bulk Modulus 117 GPa17 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.07

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Liquidus Temperature

1,289°C2,352 °F
1,287°C2,349 °F

Same in both: Density 1.85 g/cm³0.07 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,287°C2,349 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

190 W/m·K110 BTU/hr·ft·°F
210 W/m·K121 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,900 J/kg·K0.45 BTU/lb·°F
1,885 J/kg·K0.45 BTU/lb·°F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-269°C-452 °F

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11.3 µm/m·K6.3 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 1,355 J/g583 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 500°C932 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

40 % IACS
42 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

4.3×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.69 µΩ·in
4.1×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.61 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-1 V
-0.98 V

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
40 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
40 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

25%
45%

Weldability

20 / 100
15 / 100

Formability (cold)

5 / 100
8 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

45 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

3,500 MJ/kg1,504,731 BTU/lb
1,500 MJ/kg644,885 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

210 kg CO₂/kg
95 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

1,500 L/kg180 gal/lb
—

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 15%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

250 kN·m/kg
175 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

196 kJ/m³
96 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

54.1 mm²/s
60.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

26
20

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 163.8 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 scaleS-65CI-220H

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityI-220HS-65C
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

I-220H vs S-65C — frequently asked

Is I-220H stronger than S-65C?

Yes. I-220H has a typical yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) against 241 MPa (35 ksi) for S-65C — about 43% more. Tensile strength is 462 MPa (67 ksi) vs 324 MPa (47 ksi).

Which is cheaper, I-220H or S-65C?

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 is easier to machine, I-220H or S-65C?

S-65C. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (25/100) for I-220H; for welding the order is I-220H first (poor, 20/100) then S-65C (poor, 15/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in I-220H and S-65C 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.