Refractory Metal NbTi vs Pure Nb
Refractory Metal · grade comparison
Refractory Metal NbTi and Pure Nb are both refractory metal grades. NbTi is the stronger of the two: yield strength 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) for Pure Nb, about 180% more; tensile strength follows at 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 220 MPa (31.9 ksi). In exchange, Pure Nb is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 25% for NbTi, and NbTi is harder (160 HB vs 80 HB). NbTi is lighter (6.05 g/cm³ vs 8.57 g/cm³ for Pure Nb) and Pure Nb is stiffer (103 GPa vs 65 GPa). On the shop floor, Pure Nb welds better (very good vs fair) and NbTi sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Pure Nb (specialty, $$$$$).
NbTiChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Pure NbChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
NbTi vs Pure Nb: 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Bulk Modulus
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
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)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F
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
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 92 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Embodied Water
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 | NbTi | Pure Nb |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | Vacuum Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
NbTi vs Pure Nb — frequently asked
Is NbTi stronger than Pure Nb?
Yes. NbTi has a typical yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) for Pure Nb — about 180% more. Tensile strength is 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 220 MPa (31.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, NbTi or Pure Nb?
NbTi is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Pure Nb is specialty ($$$$$). 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, NbTi or Pure Nb?
Pure Nb, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 20/100 for NbTi; for welding the order is Pure Nb first (very good, 80/100) then NbTi (fair, 45/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in NbTi and Pure Nb 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.