Haynes 188 UNS R30188

Cobalt-base alloy, nominal Co 39 (balance), Ni 22, Cr 22, W 14, Fe max 3, Mn max 1.25, Si 0.35, C 0.10, La 0.03, B max 0.015, in wt %

Also known as UNS R30188, HAYNES 188

Haynes 188 (UNS R30188) is a wrought cobalt-base superalloy with a nominal composition of 39 % cobalt, 22 % nickel, 22 % chromium and 14 % tungsten.

10 sources · Updated 2026-11-01 · CC BY 4.0

Evidence level

2 of 5

Lab-measured

Resist oxidation

up to 2000 °F (1095 °C)

Carry heat

10.4 W/m-°C

Weight

8.98 g/cm3

Melting

1315 to 1410 °C

Strength at room temperature

483 MPa yield

Recipe, share of the weight

  • Co nominal, balance (Haynes International)Cobalt
  • Ni nominal (Haynes International)Nickel
  • Cr nominal (Haynes International)Chromium
  • W nominal (Haynes International)Tungsten
  • Fe maximum (Haynes International)Iron
  • Mn maximum (Haynes International)Manganese
  • Si nominal (Haynes International)Silicon
  • C nominal (Haynes International)Carbon
  • La nominal (Haynes International)Lanthanum
  • B maximum (Haynes International)Boron

Best for

Hot combustor and hot-structure parts in oxidising gas up to about 1095 °C, where stress stays low above about 982 °C

Weakest at

Strength above about 1800 °F (982 °C), and oxidation at 2100 °F (1150 °C), where metal loss is 8.6 mils (218 µm) after 1008 h, against 0.5 mil (13 µm) at 2000 °F

Risk at a glance

  • People Low. Cobalt codes apply
  • If it fails High. Oxidation metal loss above 2000 °F
  • Corrosion Moderate. Haynes 188 shows very good oxidation resistance, rated for long-term continuous exposure up to 2000 °F (1095 °C).

Quick facts: UNS R30188

Key properties of UNS R30188
PropertyValueBasis
Density8.98 g/cm³1 sourced value
Yield strength464 to 550 MPa3 sourced values across conditions
Tensile strength946 to 1,045 MPa3 sourced values across conditions
Young's modulus232 GPa1 sourced value
Thermal conductivity10.4 W/(m·K)1 sourced value
Thermal expansion (CTE)12.1 to 16 ppm/K2 sourced values across conditions
Melting point1,302 to 1,410 °C2 sourced values across conditions
Specific heat0.096 Btu/lb-°F1 sourced value
Electrical resistivity0.000001 Ω·m1 sourced value
Maximum service temperature1,095 °C1 sourced value

What is the density of Haynes 188 (UNS R30188)?

Haynes 188 (UNS R30188) has a density of 8.98 g/cm³. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is the thermal conductivity of Haynes 188 (UNS R30188)?

Haynes 188 (UNS R30188) has a thermal conductivity of 10.4 W/(m·K). The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is the coefficient of thermal expansion of Haynes 188 (UNS R30188)?

Haynes 188 (UNS R30188) has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 12.1 to 16 ppm/K. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What is the melting point of Haynes 188 (UNS R30188)?

Haynes 188 (UNS R30188) has a melting point of 1,302 to 1,410 °C. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What is the yield strength of Haynes 188 (UNS R30188)?

Haynes 188 (UNS R30188) has a yield strength of 464 to 550 MPa. The range covers 3 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What are the other names and codes for Haynes 188 (UNS R30188)?

Haynes 188 (UNS R30188) is also written as UNS R30188, HAYNES 188. Each code is printed in the source listed beside it in the designations table.

What is Haynes 188 (UNS R30188) used for?

Uses recorded in the sources include Combustion cans in military and commercial gas turbine engines; Liquid oxygen injection tubes (IDX posts) in the main combustion chamber of the Space Shuttle Main Engine; Thermal energy storage containment canisters and working-fluid tubes in a solar dynamic receiver.

Why it exists

Haynes 188 is a cobalt-base superalloy used for gas-turbine combustion cans and hot parts that must resist oxidation. Haynes International gives its nominal composition as 39 % cobalt, 22 % nickel, 22 % chromium and 14 % tungsten. The USGS reports that an estimated 51 % of US cobalt consumption in 2025 went to superalloys, mainly for aircraft gas turbine engines.

Where it's used

Gas-turbine combustion cans

Haynes International says the alloy is widely used in military and commercial gas turbine engines for combustion cans.

Space Shuttle Main Engine

NASA lists the liquid oxygen injection tubes (IDX posts) in the main combustion chamber of the Space Shuttle Main Engine as a space-related use.

Solar dynamic thermal storage

NASA says the alloy will be used for thermal energy storage containment canisters in a 2 kW solar dynamic ground demonstrator. This is a planned design, not a flight record.

Hydrogen-cooled combustor panels

NASA Glenn assessed low-cycle fatigue of the alloy for actively cooled combustor walls at 25 and 650 °C in hydrogen and helium, in the Durable Combustor Rig.

Recipe

Cobalt-base alloy, nominal Co 39 (balance), Ni 22, Cr 22, W 14, Fe max 3, Mn max 1.25, Si 0.35, C 0.10, La 0.03, B max 0.015, in wt %

Haynes 188 is a wrought cobalt-base superalloy with a nominal composition of 39 % cobalt (balance), 22 % nickel, 22 % chromium and 14 % tungsten, with small manganese, silicon, carbon, lanthanum and boron additions (Haynes International). It is supplied hot-rolled and solution-annealed, with a solution heat treatment at 2125 to 2175 °F (1163 to 1191 °C) (Haynes International).

What UNS R30188 is made of
IngredientShare of the weightWhat it does
Cobalt Co nominal, balance (Haynes International) Matrix of the alloy
Nickel Ni nominal (Haynes International) Austenitic matrix element
Chromium Cr nominal (Haynes International) Oxide-scale former for oxidation resistance
Tungsten W nominal (Haynes International) Solid-solution strengthener
Iron Fe maximum (Haynes International) Impurity-level element
Manganese Mn maximum (Haynes International) Deoxidiser and minor element
Silicon Si nominal (Haynes International) Minor element
Carbon C nominal (Haynes International) Carbide former
Lanthanum La nominal (Haynes International) Trace element that improves oxide-scale adhesion
Boron B maximum (Haynes International) Trace element

Weight shares are as printed in the sources.

What it can do

Resist oxidation

up to 2000 °F (1095 °C)

measured

Haynes International rates the alloy for long-term continuous exposure up to 2000 °F (1095 °C) in air and combustion gases.

Carry heat

10.4 W/m-°C

measured

Thermal conductivity is 10.4 W/m-°C at room temperature and 27.6 W/m-°C at 1000 °C, per Haynes International.

Weight

8.98 g/cm3

measured

Density is 8.98 g/cm3 at 22 °C (72 °F), per High Temp Metals.

Melting

1315 to 1410 °C

measured

The manufacturer gives a melting temperature range of 1315 to 1410 °C (2400 to 2570 °F).

Strength at room temperature

483 MPa yield

measured

Hot-rolled and solution-annealed plate has a room-temperature 0.2 % yield strength of 483 MPa and a tensile strength of 991 MPa.

How it compares

Within the manufacturer's flowing-air test, Haynes 188 loses 0.5 mil (13 µm) at 2000 °F and 8.6 mils (218 µm) at 2100 °F after 1008 h, so its oxide protection drops sharply across that 100 °F step. Its plate tensile strength halves from 991 MPa at room temperature to 188 MPa at 982 °C, and 96 MPa at 1093 °C. This profile gives no numbers for other alloys, because none were read in the sources held for this run.

The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details. Other materials are shown beside it; each was measured under its own conditions, so open its page before comparing closely. Compare every grade in the family.

Benchmarks
MeasurementUNS R30188UNS R30605UNS R30004UNS R30003
Thermal behavior and safety
Melting temperature range, Haynes 188 (manufacturer)Range printed in a manufacturer product page1315 to 1410 °C1329 to 1410 °C1480 °Cno data
Incipient fusion temperature range, Haynes 188 (distributor)1302 to 1330 °C21329 to 1410 °C1480 °Cno data
Thermal conductivity at room temperature, Haynes 188Value printed in a manufacturer product page10.4 W/m-°C9.4 W/m·K13 W/(m·K)12.5 W/(m.K)
Thermal conductivity at 1000 °C, Haynes 188Value printed in a manufacturer product page27.6 W/m-°C9.4 W/m·K13 W/(m·K)12.5 W/(m.K)
Specific heat at room temperature, Haynes 1880.096 Btu/lb-°F3no datano data450 J/(kg.K)
Thermal emittance of pristine surface, Haynes 1880.11 -25no datano datano data
Physical and electrical
Density at 22 °C (72 °F), Haynes 1888.98 g/cm³19.13 g/cm³0.3 lb/in38.3 g/cm³
Electrical resistivity at room temperature, Haynes 188Value printed in a manufacturer product page101 µohm-cm89 µΩ·cm92 µΩ·cm95 uOhm.cm
Other measurements
Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, 25 to 100 °C, Haynes 18812.1 µm/m-°C414.4 µm/m·°C12.5 µm/m·°C12.5 10-6/K
Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, 25 to 900 °C, Haynes 18816 µm/m-°C514.4 µm/m·°C12.5 µm/m·°C12.5 10-6/K
Dynamic modulus of elasticity at room temperature, Haynes 188232 GPa6225 GPa29.5 psi x 10^6215 GPa
Yield strength 0.2 % offset, hot-rolled and solution-annealed plate at room temperature483 MPa7> 379 MPa70000 psi1800 MPa
Ultimate tensile strength, hot-rolled and solution-annealed plate at room temperature991 MPa8> 896 MPa1.4×10^5 psi120 ksi
Elongation, hot-rolled and solution-annealed plate at room temperature50.6 %951 %40 %no data
Yield strength 0.2 % offset, bright annealed sheet at room temperature464 MPa10> 379 MPa70000 psi1800 MPa
Ultimate tensile strength, bright annealed sheet at room temperature946 MPa11> 896 MPa1.4×10^5 psi120 ksi
Elongation in 2 in, bright annealed sheet at room temperature53 %1251 %40 %no data
Yield strength 0.2 % offset, hot-rolled and solution-annealed plate at 538 °C315 MPa13> 379 MPa70000 psi1800 MPa
Ultimate tensile strength, hot-rolled and solution-annealed plate at 538 °C832 MPa14> 896 MPa1.4×10^5 psi120 ksi
Yield strength 0.2 % offset, hot-rolled and solution-annealed plate at 982 °C132 MPa15> 379 MPa70000 psi1800 MPa
Ultimate tensile strength, hot-rolled and solution-annealed plate at 982 °C188 MPa16> 896 MPa1.4×10^5 psi120 ksi
Ultimate tensile strength, hot-rolled and solution-annealed plate at 1093 °C96 MPa17> 896 MPa1.4×10^5 psi120 ksi
Long-term continuous exposure limit in air and combustion gases (oxidation)Value printed in a manufacturer product page1095 °C1800 °Fno data454 °C
Average metal affected (metal loss plus internal penetration), flowing air at 1150 °C for 1008 h272 µm18no datano datano data
Metal loss, flowing air at 1150 °C for 1008 h218 µm19no datano datano data
Metal loss, flowing air at 1093 °C for 1008 h13 µm20no datano datano data
Stress for 1 % creep in 1000 h at 982 °C, hot-rolled and solution-annealed plate17 MPa21no datano datano data
Stress for 1 % creep in 1000 h at 982 °C, solution-treated sheet14 MPa22no datano datano data
Ultimate tensile strength at room temperature after 8000 h at 650 °C1045 MPa23> 896 MPa1.4×10^5 psi120 ksi
Yield strength 0.2 % offset at room temperature after 8000 h at 650 °C550 MPa24> 379 MPa70000 psi1800 MPa
Poisson's ratio at room temperature, Haynes 188Value printed in a manufacturer product page0.3 -no datano datano data

Why choose it, and why not

Good for

  • Oxidation resistance up to 2000 °F (1095 °C) for long-term continuous exposure, per Haynes International.
  • Hot combustor parts and actively cooled hot-structure panels, per Haynes International and NASA.
  • Thermal storage canisters that need a high-emittance surface, where a surface treatment can raise emittance from 0.11 to between 0.28 and 0.86, per NASA.

Watch out for

  • Strength falls sharply above about 1800 °F (982 °C): plate tensile strength is 188 MPa at 982 °C and 96 MPa at 1093 °C.
  • Oxidation loss rises from 0.5 mil (13 µm) at 2000 °F to 8.6 mils (218 µm) at 2100 °F after 1008 h.
  • NASA reports a ductility minimum around 760 °C, where cyclic strain capacity is lowest.
  • The cobalt content carries the PubChem hazard codes, including skin and respiratory sensitisation.

Haynes 188 is a cobalt-base superalloy for hot oxidising gas up to 2000 °F (1095 °C) in combustion parts and hot structure. It keeps useful tensile strength to about 1800 °F (982 °C) and loses oxide protection quickly at 2100 °F. Its spaceflight record is limited to a Shuttle engine use, and its solar and combustor uses are planned or tested.

Technical details

For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.

Other names and standards

The same grade under other systems, as datasheets and standards print them. Each code was checked against the page it comes from.

Other names and standards
SystemCodes
UNSR30188
Trade nameHAYNES 188

Notes

The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.

Notes for the numbered rows
#MeasurementMethodConditionsCaveat
1Density at 22 °C (72 °F), Haynes 188Value printed in a distributor technical data pagetemperature 22 °C (72 °F)unit in source 0.324 lb/in3—
2Incipient fusion temperature range, Haynes 188 (distributor)Range printed in a distributor technical data pagebasis incipient fusion, the onset of melting, not the full melting range; differs from the manufacturer melting range and both are keptunit in source 2375 to 2425 °F—
3Specific heat at room temperature, Haynes 188Value printed in a manufacturer product page, customary units as printedtemperature RTunit in source customary units only; the metric value printed beside it is garbled and not used—
4Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, 25 to 100 °C, Haynes 188Mean value printed in a manufacturer product pagetemperature 25 to 100 °C (mean)unit in source 6.7 µin/in-°F for 75 to 200 °F—
5Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, 25 to 900 °C, Haynes 188Mean value printed in a manufacturer product pagetemperature 25 to 900 °C (mean)unit in source 9.1 µin/in-°F for 75 to 1800 °F—
6Dynamic modulus of elasticity at room temperature, Haynes 188Dynamic modulus printed in a manufacturer product page; a dynamic value, not a static tensile modulustemperature RTunit in source 33.7 x 10^6 psi—
7Yield strength 0.2 % offset, hot-rolled and solution-annealed plate at room temperatureTensile test value printed in a manufacturer product pageform hot-rolled and solution-annealed platetemperature RTunit in source 70.1 ksi—
8Ultimate tensile strength, hot-rolled and solution-annealed plate at room temperatureTensile test value printed in a manufacturer product pageform hot-rolled and solution-annealed platetemperature RTunit in source 143.8 ksi—
9Elongation, hot-rolled and solution-annealed plate at room temperatureTensile test value printed in a manufacturer product pageform hot-rolled and solution-annealed platetemperature RT—
10Yield strength 0.2 % offset, bright annealed sheet at room temperatureAverage tensile value printed in a distributor technical data pageform bright annealed sheet, 0.029 to 0.050 in thicktemperature RT (70 °F / 21 °C)unit in source 67.3 ksi—
11Ultimate tensile strength, bright annealed sheet at room temperatureAverage tensile value printed in a distributor technical data pageform bright annealed sheet, 0.029 to 0.050 in thicktemperature RT (70 °F / 21 °C)unit in source 137.2 ksi—
12Elongation in 2 in, bright annealed sheet at room temperatureAverage tensile value printed in a distributor technical data pageform bright annealed sheet, 0.029 to 0.050 in thicktemperature RT (70 °F / 21 °C)—
13Yield strength 0.2 % offset, hot-rolled and solution-annealed plate at 538 °CElevated-temperature tensile value printed in a manufacturer product pageform hot-rolled and solution-annealed platetemperature 1000 °F (538 °C)unit in source 45.7 ksi—
14Ultimate tensile strength, hot-rolled and solution-annealed plate at 538 °CElevated-temperature tensile value printed in a manufacturer product pageform hot-rolled and solution-annealed platetemperature 1000 °F (538 °C)unit in source 120.6 ksi—
15Yield strength 0.2 % offset, hot-rolled and solution-annealed plate at 982 °CElevated-temperature tensile value printed in a manufacturer product pageform hot-rolled and solution-annealed platetemperature 1800 °F (982 °C)unit in source 19.2 ksi—
16Ultimate tensile strength, hot-rolled and solution-annealed plate at 982 °CElevated-temperature tensile value printed in a manufacturer product pageform hot-rolled and solution-annealed platetemperature 1800 °F (982 °C)unit in source 27.2 ksi—
17Ultimate tensile strength, hot-rolled and solution-annealed plate at 1093 °CElevated-temperature tensile value printed in a manufacturer product pageform hot-rolled and solution-annealed platetemperature 2000 °F (1093 °C)unit in source 13.9 ksiThe same table gives 188 MPa at 982 °C, so tensile strength falls by about half between 1800 °F and 2000 °F.
18Average metal affected (metal loss plus internal penetration), flowing air at 1150 °C for 1008 hComparative oxidation value printed in a manufacturer product page; the page footnote defines the figure as metal loss plus average internal penetrationenvironment flowing airtemperature 2100 °F (1150 °C)time 1008 hunit in source 10.7 mils—
19Metal loss, flowing air at 1150 °C for 1008 hComparative oxidation value printed in a manufacturer product pageenvironment flowing airtemperature 2100 °F (1150 °C)time 1008 hunit in source 8.6 mils—
20Metal loss, flowing air at 1093 °C for 1008 hComparative oxidation value printed in a manufacturer product pageenvironment flowing airtemperature 2000 °F (1093 °C)time 1008 hunit in source 0.5 mils—
21Stress for 1 % creep in 1000 h at 982 °C, hot-rolled and solution-annealed plateApproximate creep stress printed in a manufacturer product pageform solution-annealed platetemperature 1800 °F (982 °C)creep 1 %time 1000 hunit in source 2.5 ksi—
22Stress for 1 % creep in 1000 h at 982 °C, solution-treated sheetAverage creep value printed in a distributor technical data pageform solution-treated sheettemperature 1800 °F (982 °C)creep 1.0 %time 1000 hunit in source 2.1 ksi—
23Ultimate tensile strength at room temperature after 8000 h at 650 °CValue printed in a manufacturer product page, thermal stability tablecondition after 8000 h at 1200 °F (650 °C), then tested at room temperatureunit in source 151.6 ksi—
24Yield strength 0.2 % offset at room temperature after 8000 h at 650 °CValue printed in a manufacturer product page, thermal stability tablecondition after 8000 h at 1200 °F (650 °C), then tested at room temperatureunit in source 79.7 ksi—
25Thermal emittance of pristine surface, Haynes 188Optical property value stated in a NASA technical memorandumsurface pristine, as receivednote on range surface treatments raised emittance to between 0.28 and 0.86 in the same study—

Corrosion and compatibility

What happens when it meets other materials and environments.

Corrosion and compatibility
EnvironmentConcernWhat happens
Air and combustion gases, 1095 to 1150 °C moderate Haynes 188 shows very good oxidation resistance, rated for long-term continuous exposure up to 2000 °F (1095 °C).1
Long-term thermal exposure at 650 °C, then room-temperature tensile test low After 8000 h at 1200 °F (650 °C), room-temperature strength stays high and ductility is retained.2
Oxidising gas at high temperature above 1093 °C moderate The loss rises sharply between 2000 °F and 2100 °F in the same flowing-air test.3
Corrosion details
#EnvironmentDetailsTest conditions
1 Air and combustion gases, 1095 to 1150 °C After 1008 h in flowing air at 2100 °F (1150 °C), the average metal affected is 10.7 mils (272 µm) and the metal loss is 8.6 mils (218 µm). At 2000 °F (1093 °C) the same test gives 3.7 mils (94 µm) affected and 0.5 mil (13 µm) metal loss, per Haynes International. air velocity flowing aircycling as printed in the table test method
2 Long-term thermal exposure at 650 °C, then room-temperature tensile test Haynes International reports 550 MPa yield strength and 1045 MPa tensile strength after the 8000 h exposure, with 29.1 % elongation. A distributor page says the alloy keeps good ductility after 16,000 h at 1200, 1400 and 1600 °F (650, 760 and 870 °C). time 8000 h at 1200 °F (650 °C)
3 Oxidising gas at high temperature above 1093 °C The metal loss increases from 0.5 mil (13 µm) at 2000 °F to 8.6 mils (218 µm) at 2100 °F after 1008 h, so the protection is not stable across that 100 °F step. time 1008 h

Risks and side effects

Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.

For people

The alloy is a solid metal. Its cobalt content carries the hazard codes in the PubChem cobalt metal record.

Solid alloy
The PubChem aggregated cobalt record lists skin sensitisation (H317 in more than 99.9 % of reports that give a code), respiratory sensitisation (H334 in more than 99.9 %), suspected genetic defects (H341 in 65.8 %), may cause cancer (H350 in 64.5 %) and may damage fertility (H360Fd in 61.6 %). Signal word Danger.
Fume and dust
The sources read give no safety data for welding fume or grinding dust from this alloy. Treat them as cobalt fume until a safety data sheet is found.

If it fails

These failure routes come from the manufacturer's test data and NASA test notes.

Strength at high temperature
Plate tensile strength falls from 991 MPa at room temperature to 188 MPa at 982 °C and 96 MPa at 1093 °C.
Oxidation at 2100 °F
Metal loss is 8.6 mils (218 µm) after 1008 h at 2100 °F, against 0.5 mil (13 µm) at 2000 °F.
Ductility near 760 °C
NASA reports a ductility minimum around 760 °C, where the cyclic strain capacity is also lowest.

Handling and storage

Heat treatment
Solution heat treat at 2125 to 2175 °F (1163 to 1191 °C), then cool rapidly. Cold-worked parts are aged near 1000 °F (540 °C) for 4 to 16 hours.

Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.

Failure risks

Failure risks
FailureTrigger and consequence
Loss of strength at high temperaturemoderate severityUse under stress above about 1800 °F (982 °C)Plate tensile strength falls from 991 MPa at room temperature to 188 MPa at 982 °C and 96 MPa at 1093 °C. One percent creep takes 17 MPa for 1000 h at 982 °C in plate.
Oxidation metal loss above 2000 °Fhigh severityLong exposure in flowing air at 2100 °F (1150 °C)Metal loss reaches 8.6 mils (218 µm) after 1008 h, against 0.5 mil (13 µm) at 2000 °F, so wall thinning is far faster at 2100 °F.
Low ductility near 760 °Cmoderate severityService or cycling near 760 °CNASA reports that Haynes 188 has a ductility minimum around 760 °C, and that low-cycle fatigue resistance follows ductility, so the cyclic strain capacity is also lowest near that temperature.
Low-cycle fatigue in actively cooled panelsmoderate severityPanel walls up to 650 °C with high thermal gradients and high-pressure hydrogen, repeated runsNASA Glenn states that actively cooled combustor walls of this alloy could challenge low-cycle fatigue durability in repeated runs. The presentation is the objective of the test program; no result is entered here.

Handling and storage

  • Solution heat treat at 2125 to 2175 °F (1163 to 1191 °C), then cool rapidly. Forging hold is 2150 °F (1175 °C).
  • Solution treatment at 2150 °F ±25 °F (1177 °C ±14 °C) is the stated heat treatment; cold-worked parts are aged near 1000 °F (540 °C) for 4 to 16 hours.

Supply and geography

How common the raw materials are and where they come from.

Cobalt (mine production, 2025)

Top producers (2025)
Congo (Kinshasa) 73%, Indonesia 14%
Recycling
USGS: cobalt content of purchased scrap was 25 % of estimated cobalt consumption in 2025.
Substitutes
USGS: depending on the application, substitution for cobalt could cause a loss in product performance or increased cost.

Nickel (mine production, 2025e)

Top producers (2025)
Indonesia 66.7%, Philippines 6.9%, Russia 5.1%
Recycling
USGS: nickel recovered from scrap accounted for approximately 60 % of 2025 apparent consumption.
Substitutes
USGS: titanium alloys can substitute for nickel or nickel-base alloys in corrosive environments.

Chromium (chromite ore mine production, 2025e)

Top producers (2025)
South Africa 45.1%, Turkey 17.6%, Kazakhstan 13.7%
Recycling
USGS: recycled chromium in reported stainless-steel scrap receipts accounted for 21 % of 2025 apparent consumption.
Substitutes
USGS: chromium has no substitute in superalloys, the major strategic end use.

Tungsten (mine production, 2025)

Top producers (2025)
China 78.8%, Vietnam 3.5%, Russia 2.4%
Recycling
USGS: the quantity of secondary tungsten produced in 2025 was withheld to avoid disclosing proprietary data.
Substitutes
USGS: potential substitutes for cemented tungsten carbides include molybdenum, niobium and titanium carbides, ceramics, cermets and tool steels, which mostly reduce rather than replace tungsten use.

Updated