Aluminum 2024-T351 vs. Nickel Inconel 718

Compare Aluminum 2024-T351 vs. Nickel Inconel 718 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Aluminum 2024-T351Wrought

Mechanical
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Yield strength	324MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen	1,207MPasourcetypical, 1.0 in. hot-rolled bar, 0.2% offset
Ultimate tensile strength	469MPasourcetypical	1,389MPasourcetypical, 1.0 in. bar
Elongation at break	19%sourcetypical, in 4D	20%sourcetypical, 1.0 in. bar
Young's modulus (stiffness)	73.1GPasourcetypical	200GPasourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged
Density	2,770kg/m³sourcenominal	8,221kg/m³sourcenominal, annealed and aged
Strength to weight	117kN·m/kg	147kN·m/kg26% higher
Stiffness to weight	26.4MN·m/kg8% higher	24.3MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant), all tempers	0.294sourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged
Shear modulus	27.5GPa	77.3GPa2.81x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	71.7GPa	162GPa
Speed of sound	5,137m/s	4,932m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	120W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C	11.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged (calculated from resistivity per footnote a)
Thermal expansion	22.9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	13.2µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 21-93 °C, annealed + aged
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	115µm growth	66µm growth1.73x less
Specific heat	875J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C	435J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 21 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	49.5mm²/s15.5x faster	3.19mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	15,561W/m4.23x more resistant	3,680W/m
Melting point	502–638°Csourcemelting range	1,260–1,336°Csourcemelting range
Max service temperature	not sourced	704°Csourceupper use temperature stated by producer
Values for	2024-T4/T351, Kaiser Aluminum sheet, coil & plate typical datasheet; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J	INCONEL alloy 718, standard grade, 1750 °F/1 hr anneal + 1325 °F/8 hr F.C. to 1150 °F aged; Special Metals bulletin SMC-045 typical values

Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.

Questions

Is Aluminum 2024-T351 stronger than Nickel Inconel 718?

Nickel Inconel 718 is stronger: its yield strength is 1,207 MPa against 324 MPa for Aluminum 2024-T351 (3.73x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Nickel Inconel 718?

Aluminum 2024-T351 is lighter: 2,770 kg/m³ against 8,221 kg/m³ for Nickel Inconel 718.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Nickel Inconel 718?

Nickel Inconel 718 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 73.1 GPa for Aluminum 2024-T351, so the same part in Nickel Inconel 718 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Nickel Inconel 718?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 2024-T351 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Nickel Inconel 718 is lighter for a strong rod or tie.

Part that must be	Aluminum 2024-T351	Nickel Inconel 718
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	8% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.79x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	2.12x heavier
Strong rod or tie	26% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	lighter	24% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	1.54x heavier

For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).

Which conducts heat better, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Nickel Inconel 718?

Aluminum 2024-T351 conducts heat better: 120 W/m·K against 11.4 W/m·K for Nickel Inconel 718.

Which expands less with temperature?

Nickel Inconel 718 expands less: 13.2 µm/m·K against 22.9 µm/m·K for Aluminum 2024-T351.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density