Refractory Metal Pure Nb vs R04210
Refractory Metal · grade comparison
Refractory Metal Pure Nb and R04210 are both refractory metal grades. Pure Nb is the stronger of the two: yield strength 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) against 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) for R04210, about 9% more; tensile strength follows at 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) vs 200 MPa (29 ksi). Pure Nb is harder — 80 HB against 70 HB for R04210 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. On the shop floor, Pure Nb welds better (80 vs 70 out of 100) and R04210 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Pure Nb (specialty, $$$$$).
Pure NbChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
R04210Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.
Pure Nb vs R04210: 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.
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Reduction in Area
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 103 GPa14.9 Msi · Shear Modulus 37.5 GPa5.4 Msi · Bulk Modulus 170 GPa24.7 Msi · Elongation at Break 40% · Shear Strength 130 MPa18.9 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 8.57 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 53.7 W/m·K31 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 265 J/kg·K0.06 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 7.3 µm/m·K4.1 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F · Min Service Temperature -269°C-452 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1.45×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.71 µΩ·in
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.
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability 28 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 25% · Castability 20 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 25%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 12 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 23.6 mm²/s
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 | Pure Nb | R04210 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Vacuum Annealed | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Pure Nb vs R04210 — frequently asked
Is Pure Nb stronger than R04210?
Yes. Pure Nb has a typical yield strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) against 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) for R04210 — about 9% more. Tensile strength is 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) vs 200 MPa (29 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Pure Nb or R04210?
R04210 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Pure Nb is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which welds better, Pure Nb or R04210?
Pure Nb. Its weldability rates very good (80/100) against very good (70/100) for R04210.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pure Nb and R04210 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.