Aluminum ADC12 vs. Nickel Inconel 718

Compare Aluminum ADC12 vs. Nickel Inconel 718 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	149MPasourceone test result, 0.2% proof stress, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)	1,207MPasourcetypical, 1.0 in. hot-rolled bar, 0.2% offset
Ultimate tensile strength	345MPasourceone test result, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)	1,389MPasourcetypical, 1.0 in. bar
Elongation at break	2.3%sourceone test result, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)	20%sourcetypical, 1.0 in. bar
Young's modulus (stiffness)	79.8GPasourcestandard value (S.S.Aluminum)	200GPasourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged
Density	2,680kg/m³sourcemeasured (Daiki)	8,221kg/m³sourcenominal, annealed and aged
Strength to weight	55.6kN·m/kg	147kN·m/kg2.64x higher
Stiffness to weight	29.8MN·m/kg22% higher	24.3MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.294sourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged
Shear modulus	not sourced	77.3GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	162GPa
Speed of sound	5,457m/s	4,932m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	125W/m·Ksourcemeasured on specimens cut from a 50 x 100 x 5 mm flat die casting (Daiki)	11.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged (calculated from resistivity per footnote a)
Thermal expansion	21µm/m·Ksourcemeasured, temperature range not stated (Daiki)	13.2µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 21-93 °C, annealed + aged
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	105µm growth	66µm growth1.59x less
Specific heat	911J/kg·Ksourcemeasured (Daiki)	435J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 21 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	51.2mm²/s16.1x faster	3.19mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	3,680W/m
Melting point	515–582°Csourcesolidus-liquidus (Daiki)	1,260–1,336°Csourcemelting range
Max service temperature	not sourced	704°Csourceupper use temperature stated by producer
Values for	JIS ADC12 (Al-Si-Cu, about A383 / EN AC-46100) high-pressure die-casting alloy, as cast; physical properties from Daiki Aluminium Industry (ADC12 ingot producer) measured values; modulus from S.S.Aluminum (ADC12 ingot producer) standard values.	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 ADC12 stronger than Nickel Inconel 718?

Nickel Inconel 718 is stronger: its yield strength is 1,207 MPa against 149 MPa for Aluminum ADC12 (8.1x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum ADC12 or Nickel Inconel 718?

Aluminum ADC12 is lighter: 2,680 kg/m³ against 8,221 kg/m³ for Nickel Inconel 718.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum ADC12 or Nickel Inconel 718?

Nickel Inconel 718 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 79.8 GPa for Aluminum ADC12, so the same part in Nickel Inconel 718 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum ADC12 or Nickel Inconel 718?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum ADC12 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong panel or plate; Nickel Inconel 718 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam.

Part that must be	Aluminum ADC12	Nickel Inconel 718
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	22% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.94x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	2.26x heavier
Strong rod or tie	2.64x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	31% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	lighter	8% 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 ADC12 or Nickel Inconel 718?

Aluminum ADC12 conducts heat better: 125 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 21 µm/m·K for Aluminum ADC12.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density