Refractory Metal Mo-La vs Nuclear Grade Hafnium (R1)
Refractory Metal · grade comparison
Refractory Metal Mo-La and Nuclear Grade Hafnium (R1) are both refractory metal grades. Mo-La is the stronger of the two: yield strength 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for Nuclear Grade Hafnium (R1), about 133% more; tensile strength follows at 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 445 MPa (64.5 ksi). In exchange, Nuclear Grade Hafnium (R1) is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 8% for Mo-La, and Mo-La is harder (228 HB vs 160 HB). Mo-La is lighter (10.2 g/cm³ vs 13.31 g/cm³ for Nuclear Grade Hafnium (R1)) and Mo-La is stiffer (320 GPa vs 140 GPa). On the shop floor, Nuclear Grade Hafnium (R1) welds better (good vs poor) and Nuclear Grade Hafnium (R1) sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Mo-La (specialty, $$$$$).
Mo-LaChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Nuclear Grade Hafnium (R1)Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
Mo-La vs Nuclear Grade Hafnium (R1): propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all refractory metal grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all refractory metal grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mo-LaNuclear Grade Hafnium (R1)
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Castability
Same in both: Polishability 65 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Mo-La | Nuclear Grade Hafnium (R1) |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Mo-La vs Nuclear Grade Hafnium (R1) — frequently asked
Is Mo-La stronger than Nuclear Grade Hafnium (R1)?
Yes. Mo-La has a typical yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for Nuclear Grade Hafnium (R1) — about 133% more. Tensile strength is 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 445 MPa (64.5 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Mo-La or Nuclear Grade Hafnium (R1)?
Nuclear Grade Hafnium (R1) is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Mo-La is specialty ($$$$$). 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, Mo-La or Nuclear Grade Hafnium (R1)?
Mo-La. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (30/100) for Nuclear Grade Hafnium (R1); for welding the order is Nuclear Grade Hafnium (R1) first (good, 60/100) then Mo-La (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Mo-La and Nuclear Grade Hafnium (R1) 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.