Nickel Alloy Alloy 48
UNS N14076, K94840 · ASTM A753 Type 3 · also Hipernik / 48 Alloy
Alloy 48 (N14076, A753 Type 3, Hipernik) is a 48 % Ni-Fe soft magnetic alloy that offers higher saturation induction than 80 % Ni permalloys while retaining good permeability, making it the balance choice where core loss and core size compete.
Reference datasheet — Alloy 48 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the MA condition
Alloy 48 tempers and conditions
Alloy 48 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. MA is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot Rolled / Forged Bar, Annealed | Bar and billet product for machined pole pieces, cores and shields prior to final magnetic anneal. | 190 | 480 | 40 | 120 HB | 3.8 % IACS |
MADefault Magnetically (hydrogen) annealed, 1100–1175 °C | Final-annealed condition for maximum permeability and lowest coercivity — the state parts must be in for magnetic service. | 200 | 500 | 35 | 125 HB | — |
Grain-oriented strip, magnetically annealed | Heavily cold-rolled then critically annealed thin strip with cube texture for square-loop tape-wound cores (pulse transformers, magamps). | 220 | 520 | 25 | 133 HB | 3.8 % IACS |
bright/strand annealed strip and bar as shipped | Standard as-supplied soft condition for stamping and machining; magnetic properties are only partly developed and require a final hydrogen anneal. | 250 | 530 | 30 | 143 HB | 3.8 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Light cold work for springy stamped parts and better cut edges where magnetic performance is restored by a later anneal. | 450 | 620 | 15 | 9 HRC | 3.7 % IACS |
Half hard | Medium cold-worked strip for shielding cans and structural stampings that need stiffness before final anneal. | 600 | 720 | 8 | 18 HRC | 3.7 % IACS |
Full hard | Maximum-strength as-rolled strip/wire; magnetic properties are poor and a hydrogen anneal is mandatory after forming. | 780 | 860 | 3 | 23 HRC | 3.6 % IACS |
What is Alloy 48?
Alloy 48 (N14076, A753 Type 3, Hipernik) is a 48 % Ni-Fe soft magnetic alloy that offers higher saturation induction than 80 % Ni permalloys while retaining good permeability, making it the balance choice where core loss and core size compete. It is normally used as annealed strip and stampings for cores and laminations, with typical values of 200 MPa yield, 500 MPa tensile, 35 % elongation and ~125 HB and high formability (score 85). Magnetic properties depend entirely on a final dry-hydrogen anneal, service is limited to about 400 °C and machinability is only fair (score 30); Mumetal is the alternative when maximum permeability matters more than saturation. Alloy 48 has a density of 8.25 g/cm³ (0.298 lb/in³), lighter than 58% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). Alloy 48 has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 95% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 152 GPa (22 Msi).
What is Alloy 48 used for?
- magnetic shielding laminations
- transformer/relay cores
- current transformer cores
- magnetic amplifiers
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 7.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 96% of nickel alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 95% of nickel alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 3.8 % IACS, better than 92% of nickel alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 30/100, better than 90% of nickel alloy grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 32/100, worse than 98% of nickel alloy grades
- Low strength — 200 MPa (29 ksi), worse than 95% of nickel alloy grades
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 94% of nickel alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 152 GPa (22 Msi), worse than 93% of nickel alloy grades
Alloy 48 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Alloy 48-MA; bars are the position among nickel alloy grades.
Physical3
Alloy 48 has a density of 8.25 g/cm³ (0.298 lb/in³), lighter than 58% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical13
Alloy 48 has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 95% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 152 GPa (22 Msi).
Thermal6
Alloy 48 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 13.5 W/m·K (7.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 73% of nickel alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 9.2 µm/m·K (5.11 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Alloy 48 conducts electricity at 3.8 % IACS, better than 92% of nickel alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (32/100), worse than 98% of nickel alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Alloy 48 takes about 92 MJ of energy and emits 7.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 99% of nickel alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
Alloy 48's machinability is poor (30/100, better than 90% of nickel alloy grades); weldability good (65/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the nickel alloy family
Yield strength against density for every nickel alloy grade FabDigit runs. Alloy 48 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Alloy 48
Is Alloy 48 easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening — use sharp, positive-rake carbide, rigid setups, heavy feeds at low speed with flood coolant; stress-relieve/hydrogen anneal after machining to restore permeability.
Can Alloy 48 be welded?
GTAW, EB, laser and resistance welding are all practical with matching or Ni-Fe filler; keep heat input low and re-anneal after welding since heat-affected zones lose magnetic quality.
Can Alloy 48 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-drawing, stamping and coining behaviour in the annealed condition; all cold work must be followed by a 1100–1175 °C dry-hydrogen final anneal with slow controlled cooling.
Alloy 48 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| NiNi+Co basis per ASTM A753 Type 3 | 47 – 50 | 48 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.8 | 0.5 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Ckept low for magnetic quality | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | |
| P | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Coresidual | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on Alloy 48?
Cannot be anodized; protect with electroless nickel, tin or zinc plating, oil or paint, and avoid abrasive finishing after the final magnetic anneal to prevent surface stress degradation.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on nickel alloy parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Plating
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Nickel Alloy Alloy 48 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- N14076K94840
- ASTM
- A753 Type 3
- Trade names
- Hipernik / 48 Alloy
- Other
- A753 Type 2Carpenter 48 AlloyF30
How much does Alloy 48 cost?
Alloy 48 is a high-cost nickel alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Alloy 48 — frequently asked
What is Alloy 48 used for?
Alloy 48 is typically used for magnetic shielding laminations, transformer/relay cores, current transformer cores and magnetic amplifiers. In short: higher saturation than Mumetal; deep-drawable magnetic core alloy; needs hydrogen final anneal.
What is the yield strength of Alloy 48?
Alloy 48 has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 95% of nickel alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is Alloy 48 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, better than 90% of nickel alloy grades). Gummy and work-hardening — use sharp, positive-rake carbide, rigid setups, heavy feeds at low speed with flood coolant; stress-relieve/hydrogen anneal after machining to restore permeability.
Can Alloy 48 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). GTAW, EB, laser and resistance welding are all practical with matching or Ni-Fe filler; keep heat input low and re-anneal after welding since heat-affected zones lose magnetic quality.
What surface finishes work on Alloy 48?
Cannot be anodized; protect with electroless nickel, tin or zinc plating, oil or paint, and avoid abrasive finishing after the final magnetic anneal to prevent surface stress degradation.
Can Alloy 48 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-drawing, stamping and coining behaviour in the annealed condition; all cold work must be followed by a 1100–1175 °C dry-hydrogen final anneal with slow controlled cooling.
What is the maximum service temperature of Alloy 48?
Alloy 48 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Alloy 48-MA and Alloy 48-FH?
MA is the default condition — final-annealed condition for maximum permeability and lowest coercivity — the state parts must be in for magnetic service. FH: maximum-strength as-rolled strip/wire; magnetic properties are poor and a hydrogen anneal is mandatory after forming. Yield strength is 200 MPa in MA versus 780 MPa in FH.
How much does Alloy 48 cost?
Alloy 48 is a high-cost nickel alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM A753 — Wrought Nickel-Iron Soft Magnetic Alloys (Type 3) — ASTM International (2019)
- GB/T 14986 — (1J46 / 1J50) (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (magnetically soft Ni-Fe alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- High Permeability 49 / Alloy 48 technical datasheet — Carpenter Technology (2020)
- Soft magnetic Ni-Fe alloys (PERMENORM / MUMETALL family) data — Vacuumschmelze (VAC) (2021)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.