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Nickel Alloy Nimonic 90-HD (Hard drawn spring wire)

Supply condition

UNS N07090 · EN 2.4632, NiCr20Co18Ti

For high-temperature springs and fasteners where maximum room-temperature strength and relaxation resistance are needed.

High cost $$$$

Values for the HD condition

Other Nimonic 90 tempers and conditions

Nimonic 90 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at Nimonic 90.

Compare all 5 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Softened / annealed
Most ductile condition; choose for deep drawing, bending or spinning of sheet before ageing.3608505010 HRC1.4 % IACS
Solution annealed
Supply condition for parts that will be machined or formed before final ageing.40088045200 HB—
STADefault
Solution treated and aged
Standard service condition for turbine blades, discs, rings and bolts requiring full γ′ strength to ~900 °C.8101,2402735 HRC—
Cold drawn
Cold-drawn stock for close-tolerance small bar and wire that will be aged after fabrication.8501,1001834 HRC1.5 % IACS
HDThis page
Hard drawn spring wire
For high-temperature springs and fasteners where maximum room-temperature strength and relaxation resistance are needed.1,2001,450844 HRC1.5 % IACS

What is Nimonic 90-HD?

Nimonic 90-HD is Nimonic 90 supplied in the HD condition — for high-temperature springs and fasteners where maximum room-temperature strength and relaxation resistance are needed. Nimonic 90-HD has a yield strength of 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) — stronger than 98% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi). Nimonic 90-HD has a density of 8.19 g/cm³ (0.296 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,310°C (2,390 °F). STA is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HD is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 1,200 MPa (174 ksi), better than 98% of nickel alloy grades

Limitations

  • High embodied carbon — 16 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 93% of nickel alloy grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 60 MPa·√m (54.6 ksi·√in), worse than 91% of nickel alloy grades
  • Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 87% of nickel alloy grades
  • Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 84% of nickel alloy grades
  • Limited formability — 12/100, worse than 83% of nickel alloy grades

Nimonic 90-HD properties

Typical room-temperature values for Nimonic 90-HD; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Nimonic 90 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among nickel alloy grades.

Physical3

Nimonic 90-HD has a density of 8.19 g/cm³ (0.296 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,310°C (2,390 °F).

Density8.19 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,310°C2,390 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,370°C2,498 °F

Mechanical16

Nimonic 90-HD has a yield strength of 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) — stronger than 98% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus215 GPa31.2 Msi
Shear Modulus83 GPa12 Msi
Bulk Modulus178 GPa25.8 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.31
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)1,450 MPa210 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)1,200 MPa174 ksi
Elongation at Break8%
Reduction in Area20%
Compressive Strength1,230 MPa178 ksi
Shear Strength880 MPa128 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)520 MPa75.4 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)60 MPa·√m54.6 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)15 J11.1 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell415 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C44 HRC
Hardness, Vickers440 HV

Thermal5

Nimonic 90-HD is rated for continuous service to 750°C (1,382 °F). It conducts heat at 11.5 W/m·K (6.64 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 57% of nickel alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 12.7 µm/m·K (7.06 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity11.5 W/m·K6.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity461 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12.7 µm/m·K7.1 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)750°C1,382 °F
Min Service Temperature-196°C-321 °F

Electrical3

Nimonic 90-HD conducts electricity at 1.5 % IACS, better than 50% of nickel alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity1.5 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.2×10⁻⁶ Ω·m47.2 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic (austenitic γ matrix; relative permeability ≈1.00–1.01 at 20 °C)

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 77% of nickel alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.15 V
Corrosion ResistanceVery good70/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryExcellent high-temperature oxidation resistance to ~950 °C from the Cr₂O₃ scale; good resistance to hot gases and moderate sulphidation, but attacked by molten salts/vanadium-rich ash and by hot halide or strongly reducing sulphur atmospheres; not intended as a wet-corrosion alloy.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Nimonic 90-HD takes about 240 MJ of energy and emits 16 kg of CO₂ — more than 96% of nickel alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)240 MJ/kg103,182 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)16 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability8

Nimonic 90-HD's machinability is not recommended (12/100, worse than 86% of nickel alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability not recommended (12/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended12/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)8%
WeldabilityPoor20/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended12/100
CastabilityFair35/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair45/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — nickel alloy; surface protection by electroplating, aluminide/thermal-barrier coatings or passivation instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with Nimonic 90-HD

Is Nimonic 90 easy to machine?

Machine preferably in the solution-treated condition with rigid setups, positive-rake carbide or ceramic tooling, low speeds (15–25 m/min carbide), heavy constant feed and flood coolant to avoid work hardening and glazing.

Can Nimonic 90 be welded?

GTAW/EB weld in the solution-treated state using matching or Ni-Cr filler, then re-solution and age; welding aged material risks γ′ strain-age cracking in the HAZ.

Can Nimonic 90 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot work at 1050–1180 °C with frequent reheats; cold forming only from the softened condition with high forces and interstage anneals.

What surface finishes work on Nimonic 90?

Descale by grit blasting plus HF-HNO₃ pickling; can be electropolished or fine ground, and aluminide/MCrAlY or thermal-barrier coatings are used for hot-gas-path parts (no anodizing).

Nimonic 90 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Cr18 – 2119.5
Co15 – 2118
Tiγ′ former1.8 – 32.4
Alγ′ former1 – 21.4
Fe≤ 1.50.5
Mn≤ 10.3
Si≤ 10.3
C≤ 0.130.07
Cu≤ 0.20.05
Zr≤ 0.150.06
B≤ 0.020.01
S≤ 0.020
Nibalance, plus Cobalance—

Nimonic 90-HD — frequently asked

What is Nimonic 90-HD used for?

Nimonic 90-HD is typically used for turbine blades, turbine discs, exhaust valves and high-temperature springs and fasteners. In short: classic gas-turbine Nimonic; 920 °C creep strength; gamma-prime hardened Ni-Cr-Co.

What is the yield strength of Nimonic 90-HD?

Nimonic 90-HD has a typical yield strength of 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) — stronger than 98% of nickel alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is Nimonic 90-HD easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, worse than 86% of nickel alloy grades). Machine preferably in the solution-treated condition with rigid setups, positive-rake carbide or ceramic tooling, low speeds (15–25 m/min carbide), heavy constant feed and flood coolant to avoid work hardening and glazing.

Can Nimonic 90-HD be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). GTAW/EB weld in the solution-treated state using matching or Ni-Cr filler, then re-solution and age; welding aged material risks γ′ strain-age cracking in the HAZ.

What surface finishes work on Nimonic 90-HD?

Descale by grit blasting plus HF-HNO₃ pickling; can be electropolished or fine ground, and aluminide/MCrAlY or thermal-barrier coatings are used for hot-gas-path parts (no anodizing).

Can Nimonic 90-HD be formed, bent or molded?

Hot work at 1050–1180 °C with frequent reheats; cold forming only from the softened condition with high forces and interstage anneals.

What is the maximum service temperature of Nimonic 90-HD?

Nimonic 90-HD is rated for continuous use to about 750°C (1,382 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between Nimonic 90-STA and Nimonic 90 SOFT?

STA is the default condition — standard service condition for turbine blades, discs, rings and bolts requiring full γ′ strength to ~900 °C. SOFT: most ductile condition; choose for deep drawing, bending or spinning of sheet before ageing. Yield strength is 810 MPa in STA versus 360 MPa in SOFT.

Sources

  1. NIMONIC alloy 90 technical datasheet — Special Metals Corporation (2007)
  2. AMS 5829 — Nickel Alloy Bars, Forgings and Rings, 57Ni-19.5Cr-18Co-2.4Ti-1.4Al — SAE International (2018)
  3. BS HR 501/HR 601 (Nimonic 90 bar and sheet) — BSI (1991)
  4. ASM Specialty Handbook: Heat-Resistant Materials / ASM Handbook Vol.1 — ASM International (1997)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.