Benchmark · 4 materials
Steel F1 vs Steel A2 vs Steel A3 vs Steel O1
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 | F1 | A2 | A3 | O1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strengthMPaksi | 420 MPa61 ksi | 470 MPa68 ksi | 430 MPa62 ksi | 400 MPa58 ksi |
| Tensile strengthMPaksi | 700 MPa102 ksi | 740 MPa107 ksi | 760 MPa110 ksi | 690 MPa100 ksi |
| Elongation at break% | 20 % | 22 % | 20 % | 25 % |
| Elastic modulus (Young's)GPaMsi | 205 GPa29.7 Msi | 203 GPa29.4 Msi | 203 GPa29.4 Msi | 205 GPa29.7 Msi |
| Specific strengthMPa·cm³/g | 54 | 60 | 55 | 51 |
| Densityg/cm³lb/in³ | 7.8 g/cm³0.282 lb/in³ | 7.86 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ | 7.86 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ | 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ |
| Hardness (HB equiv.)HB | 197 HB | 217 HB≈ 217 HB | 19 HRC≈ 217 HB | 200 HB≈ 200 HB |
| Max service temp°C°F | 300 °C572 °F | 425 °C797 °F | 200 °C392 °F | 400 °C752 °F |
| Min service temp°C°F | -30 °C-22 °F | -30 °C-22 °F | -30 °C-22 °F | -30 °C-22 °F |
| Thermal conductivityW/m·KBTU/hr·ft·°F | 44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F | 26 W/m·K15 BTU/hr·ft·°F | 24 W/m·K13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F | 35 W/m·K20.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F |
| Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·Kµin/in·°F | 11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F | 10.7 µm/m·K5.9 µin/in·°F | 10.7 µm/m·K5.9 µin/in·°F | 11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F |
| Electrical conductivity% IACS | 9.5 % IACS5.5 MS/m | 2.7 % IACS1.6 MS/m | 2.7 % IACS1.6 MS/m | 7 % IACS4.1 MS/m |
| Machinability/100 | Good55 / 100 | Fair45 / 100 | Fair38 / 100 | Fair45 / 100 |
| Weldability/100 | Not recommended12 / 100 | Poor20 / 100 | Poor15 / 100 | Poor20 / 100 |
| Formability/100 | Poor25 / 100 | Fair35 / 100 | Poor20 / 100 | Fair35 / 100 |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High |
| Processes | CNC | CNC | CNC |
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 strength420 MPa61 ksi
276 MPa40 ksifamily median 430 MPa62 ksi900 MPa131 ksi
Tensile strength700 MPa102 ksi
450 MPa65 ksifamily median 640 MPa93 ksi1,080 MPa157 ksi
Density7.8 g/cm³0.282 lb/in³
7.79 g/cm³0.281 lb/in³family median 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³7.87 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³
Hardness (HB equiv.)197 HB
131 HBfamily median 195 HB328 HB
Max service temp300 °C572 °F
200 °C392 °Ffamily median 400 °C752 °F500 °C932 °F
Elastic modulus (Young's)205 GPa
200 GPafamily median 207 GPa210 GPa
Elongation at break20 %
10 %family median 20 %28 %
Thermal conductivity44 W/m·K
24 W/m·Kfamily median 43 W/m·K50 W/m·K
Electrical conductivity9.5 % IACS
3.1 % IACSfamily median 8 % IACS11 % IACS
Machinability55 / 100
30 / 100family median 50 / 10062 / 100
Relative cost25
16family median 2553
F1A2A3O1
Strength versus weight
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | F1 | A2 | A3 | O1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Annealed | — | Annealed |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Copper Plating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CrN | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DLC | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| E-Coating | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electroless Nickel (EN) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Epoxy Coating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gold Plating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HVOF Coating | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hard Chrome Plating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hot-Dip Galvanizing | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Showing 18 of 38 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.