Benchmark · 4 materials
Steel 46Si7 vs Steel 1006 vs Steel 1008 vs Steel 1010
Side-by-side benchmark of 4 steel grades.
PropertiesHow to read this table
- The best value in each row is in bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the default condition (temper / grade as listed).
- Relative cost is a market tier, not a price — it moves with region and volume.
- Confirm against the certified mill / resin datasheet before design release.
How to read this table
- The best value in each row is in bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the default condition (temper / grade as listed).
- Relative cost is a market tier, not a price — it moves with region and volume.
- Confirm against the certified mill / resin datasheet before design release.
| Property | 46Si7 | 1006 | 1008 | 1010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strengthMPaksi | — | 165 MPa24 ksi | 170 MPa25 ksi | 180 MPa26 ksi |
| Tensile strengthMPaksi | — | 300 MPa44 ksi | 305 MPa44 ksi | 320 MPa46 ksi |
| Specific strengthMPa·cm³/g | — | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| Densityg/cm³lb/in³ | — | 7.87 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ | 7.87 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ | 7.87 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ |
| Hardness (HB equiv.)HB | — | 86 HB | 86 HB | 105 HB |
| Max service temp°C°F | — | 400 °C752 °F | 400 °C752 °F | 400 °C752 °F |
| Min service temp°C°F | — | -20 °C-4 °F | -20 °C-4 °F | -20 °C-4 °F |
| Electrical conductivity% IACS | — | 12 % IACS7 MS/m | 11 % IACS6.4 MS/m | 11 % IACS6.4 MS/m |
| Machinability/100 | — | Fair50 / 100 | Fair50 / 100 | Fair50 / 100 |
| Weldability/100 | — | Excellent100 / 100 | Excellent100 / 100 | Excellent95 / 100 |
| Formability/100 | — | Excellent95 / 100 | Excellent95 / 100 | Excellent90 / 100 |
| Relative cost | — | $ Budget | $ Budget | $ Budget |
| Processes | Sheet | 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 strength—
250 MPa36 ksifamily median 540 MPa78 ksi1,270 MPa184 ksi
Tensile strength—
420 MPa61 ksifamily median 800 MPa116 ksi1,750 MPa254 ksi
Density—
7.8 g/cm³0.282 lb/in³family median 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³
Hardness (HB equiv.)—
134 HBfamily median 210 HB558 HB
Max service temp—
200 °C392 °Ffamily median 400 °C752 °F540 °C1,004 °F
Electrical conductivity—
5.7 % IACSfamily median 9.7 % IACS12 % IACS
Machinability—
29 / 100family median 75 / 10075 / 100
Relative cost—
14family median 2553
46Si7100610081010
Strength versus weight
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 46Si7 | 1006 | 1008 | 1010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CNC machining | — | — | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | HR | HR | HR |
| Min. machined wall | — | — | — | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | — | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Heat treatments | — | Quench & Temper, Full Anneal, Stress Relief | Quench & Temper, Full Anneal, Stress Relief | Quench & Temper, Full Anneal, Stress Relief |
| AlCrN | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AlTiN | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Black Oxide | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CVD Al2O3 | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CVD TiCN | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CVD TiN | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cerakote | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chemical Etching | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Copper Plating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CrN | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DLC | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dot Peen Marking | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| E-Coating | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electro-chemical Etching | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electroless Nickel (EN) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Embossing / Debossing | — | 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.