Benchmark · 4 materials
Steel P20 vs Steel 1.2344 vs Steel 718H vs Steel 1.2311
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 | P20 | 1.2344 | 718H | 1.2311 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strengthMPa | 860 MPa125 ksi | 640 MPa93 ksi | 950 MPa138 ksi | 850 MPa123 ksi |
| Tensile strengthMPa | 1,000 MPa145 ksi | 1,500 MPa218 ksi | 1,100 MPa160 ksi | 1,030 MPa149 ksi |
| Specific strengthMPa·cm³/g | 110 | 82 | 121 | 108 |
| Densityg/cm³ | 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ | 7.8 g/cm³0.282 lb/in³ | 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ | 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ |
| Hardness (HB equiv.)HB | 30 HRC≈ 286 HB | 225 HB | 32 HRC≈ 302 HB | 32 HRC≈ 302 HB |
| Max service temp°C | 200 °C392 °F | 600 °C1,112 °F | 540 °C1,004 °F | 540 °C1,004 °F |
| Min service temp°C | -40 °C-40 °F | -50 °C-58 °F | -50 °C-58 °F | -50 °C-58 °F |
| Electrical conductivity% IACS | 6 % IACS3.5 MS/m | 6.4 % IACS3.7 MS/m | 6.9 % IACS4 MS/m | 6.9 % IACS4 MS/m |
| Machinability/100 | Good60 / 100 | Fair40 / 100 | Very good75 / 100 | Very good75 / 100 |
| Weldability/100 | Fair45 / 100 | Poor20 / 100 | Fair40 / 100 | Fair40 / 100 |
| Formability/100 | Poor15 / 100 | Not recommended5 / 100 | Not recommended5 / 100 | Not recommended5 / 100 |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$ Standard | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Processes | CNC | 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 strength860 MPa
250 MPafamily median 540 MPa1,270 MPa
Tensile strength1,000 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.)286 HB
134 HBfamily median 210 HB558 HB
Max service temp200 °C
200 °Cfamily median 400 °C540 °C
Electrical conductivity6 % IACS
5.7 % IACSfamily median 9.7 % IACS12 % IACS
Machinability60 / 100
29 / 100family median 75 / 10075 / 100
Relative cost58
14family median 2553
P201.2344718H1.2311
Strength versus weight
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | P20 | 1.2344 | 718H | 1.2311 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Default condition | Annealed | Annealed | Prehard | Annealed |
| 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 |
| Epoxy Coating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gold Plating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Showing 18 of 46 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.