Benchmark · 4 materials
Steel 1541 vs Steel 1030 vs Steel 1035 vs Steel 1040
All steel grades — bands show the family's 10th–90th percentile. The best value in each row is in bold; metric first, imperial in gray.
Properties
| Property | 1541 | 1030 | 1035 | 1040 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strengthMPa | 380 MPa55 ksi | 345 MPa50 ksi | 350 MPa51 ksi | 415 MPa60 ksi |
| Tensile strengthMPa | 670 MPa97 ksi | 525 MPa76 ksi | 550 MPa80 ksi | 590 MPa86 ksi |
| Specific strengthMPa·cm³/g | 48 | 44 | 45 | 53 |
| Densityg/cm³ | 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ | 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ | 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ | 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ |
| Hardness (HB equiv.)HB | 180 HB | 149 HB | 163 HB | 170 HB |
| Max service temp°C | 425 °C797 °F | 400 °C752 °F | 400 °C752 °F | 400 °C752 °F |
| Min service temp°C | -50 °C-58 °F | -20 °C-4 °F | -20 °C-4 °F | -20 °C-4 °F |
| Electrical conductivity% IACS | 10 % IACS5.8 MS/m | 9.5 % IACS5.5 MS/m | 9.5 % IACS5.5 MS/m | 9 % IACS5.2 MS/m |
| Machinability/100 | Very good75 / 100 | Very good70 / 100 | Very good70 / 100 | Good65 / 100 |
| Weldability/100 | Very good75 / 100 | Very good75 / 100 | Very good70 / 100 | Good65 / 100 |
| Formability/100 | Very good75 / 100 | Good60 / 100 | Good55 / 100 | Fair50 / 100 |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $ Budget | $ Budget | $ Budget |
| Processes | CNC, Sheet | CNC, Sheet | CNC, Sheet | CNC, Sheet |
Where each grade sits
One track per property; coloured markers are the compared grades, the shaded band is the steel family 10th–90th percentile and the tick its median.
Yield strength380 MPa
250 MPafamily median 540 MPa1,270 MPa
Tensile strength670 MPa
420 MPafamily median 800 MPa1,750 MPa
Density7.85 g/cm³
7.8 g/cm³family median 7.85 g/cm³7.85 g/cm³
Hardness (HB equiv.)180 HB
134 HBfamily median 210 HB558 HB
Max service temp425 °C
200 °Cfamily median 400 °C540 °C
Electrical conductivity10 % IACS
5.7 % IACSfamily median 9.7 % IACS12 % IACS
Machinability75 / 100
29 / 100family median 75 / 10075 / 100
Relative cost16
14family median 2553
1541103010351040
Strength versus weight
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 1541 | 1030 | 1035 | 1040 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sheet metal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Default condition | HR | HR | HR | HR |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Heat treatments | Quench & Temper, Full Anneal, Stress Relief | Quench & Temper, Full Anneal, Stress Relief | Quench & Temper, Full Anneal, Stress Relief | Quench & Temper, Full Anneal, Stress Relief |
| AlCrN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AlTiN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Black Oxide | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CVD Al2O3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CVD TiCN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CVD TiN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cerakote | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chemical Etching | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Copper Plating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CrN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DLC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dot Peen Marking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| E-Coating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electro-chemical Etching | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electroless Nickel (EN) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Embossing / Debossing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Epoxy Coating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Showing 18 of 47 finishes — the full list is on each grade's datasheet.
Typical handbook values for the default condition, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.