Steel 45 Permalloy vs Supermalloy
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 45 Permalloy and Supermalloy are both steel grades. Supermalloy is the stronger of the two: yield strength 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) against 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) for 45 Permalloy, about 10% more; tensile strength follows at 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi). 45 Permalloy is harder — 125 HB against 115 HB for Supermalloy — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 45 Permalloy is lighter (8.17 g/cm³ vs 8.77 g/cm³ for Supermalloy) and Supermalloy is stiffer (210 GPa vs 152 GPa).
45 PermalloyChoose it when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.
SupermalloyChoose it when strength drives the design.
45 Permalloy vs Supermalloy: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel 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 steel 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
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elongation at Break 40%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 1,450°C2,642 °F
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
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °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 %)
Formability (cold)
Castability
Same in both: Weldability 60 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 65 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 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 Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 64 kN·m/kg
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 45 Permalloy | Supermalloy |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
45 Permalloy vs Supermalloy — frequently asked
Is Supermalloy stronger than 45 Permalloy?
Yes. Supermalloy has a typical yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) against 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) for 45 Permalloy — about 10% more. Tensile strength is 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 45 Permalloy or Supermalloy?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, 45 Permalloy or Supermalloy?
45 Permalloy. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (28/100) for Supermalloy.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 45 Permalloy and Supermalloy 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.