Steel Permendur vs Supermalloy
Steel · grade comparison
Steel Permendur and Supermalloy are both steel grades. Permendur is the stronger of the two: yield strength 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) against 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) for Supermalloy, about 48% more. In exchange, Supermalloy is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 3% for Permendur, and Permendur is harder (190 HB vs 115 HB). Permendur is lighter (8.12 g/cm³ vs 8.77 g/cm³ for Supermalloy) and Permendur runs hotter in service (500°C vs 400°C continuous). On the shop floor, Supermalloy welds better (good vs fair).
PermendurChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
SupermalloyChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
Permendur 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
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 250 MPa36.3 ksi
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)
Same in both: 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 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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 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 | Permendur | Supermalloy |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
Permendur vs Supermalloy — frequently asked
Is Permendur stronger than Supermalloy?
Yes. Permendur has a typical yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) against 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) for Supermalloy — about 48% more. Tensile strength is 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Permendur or Supermalloy?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Permendur or Supermalloy?
Supermalloy, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 22/100 for Permendur; for welding the order is Supermalloy first (good, 60/100) then Permendur (fair, 40/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Permendur 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.