Benchmark · 4 materials
Steel A992 vs Steel A283 vs Steel A656 vs Steel SPHC
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 | A992 | A283 | A656 | SPHC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strengthMPa | 345 MPa50 ksi | 205 MPa30 ksi | 550 MPa80 ksi | 235 MPa34 ksi |
| Tensile strengthMPa | 450 MPa65 ksi | 310 MPa45 ksi | 620 MPa90 ksi | 270 MPa39 ksi |
| Specific strengthMPa·cm³/g | 44 | 26 | 70 | 30 |
| Densityg/cm³ | 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ | 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ | 7.83 g/cm³0.283 lb/in³ | 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ |
| Hardness (HB equiv.)HB | 150 HB | 133 HB | 180 HB | 100 HB |
| Max service temp°C | 400 °C752 °F | 400 °C752 °F | 400 °C752 °F | 400 °C752 °F |
| Min service temp°C | -20 °C-4 °F | -20 °C-4 °F | -20 °C-4 °F | -20 °C-4 °F |
| Electrical conductivity% IACS | 9.5 % IACS5.5 MS/m | 10 % IACS5.8 MS/m | 9.5 % IACS5.5 MS/m | 10 % IACS5.8 MS/m |
| Machinability/100 | Good60 / 100 | Good65 / 100 | Good60 / 100 | Good60 / 100 |
| Weldability/100 | Excellent85 / 100 | Excellent90 / 100 | Excellent85 / 100 | Excellent90 / 100 |
| Formability/100 | Good60 / 100 | Very good70 / 100 | Good60 / 100 | Excellent85 / 100 |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget | $ Budget | $ Budget |
| Processes | CNC, Sheet | CNC, Sheet | CNC, Sheet | 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 strength345 MPa
250 MPafamily median 540 MPa1,270 MPa
Tensile strength450 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.)150 HB
134 HBfamily median 210 HB558 HB
Max service temp400 °C
200 °Cfamily median 400 °C540 °C
Electrical conductivity9.5 % IACS
5.7 % IACSfamily median 9.7 % IACS12 % IACS
Machinability60 / 100
29 / 100family median 75 / 10075 / 100
Relative cost22
14family median 2553
A992A283A656SPHC
Strength versus weight
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | A992 | A283 | A656 | SPHC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | 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 | — |
| Best machined surface | 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.