Steel 08Al vs SPHD
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 08Al and SPHD are both steel grades. SPHD is the stronger of the two: yield strength 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) against 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) for 08Al, about 53% more; tensile strength follows at 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) vs 300 MPa (43.5 ksi). In exchange, 08Al is the more ductile: elongation 42% versus 37% for SPHD, and SPHD is harder (100 HB vs 88 HB). 08Al conducts heat better (60 W/m·K vs 51 W/m·K).
08AlChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
SPHDChoose it when strength drives the design.
08Al vs SPHD: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,495°C2,723 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,530°C2,786 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 350°C662 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.61 V · Corrosion Resistance 10 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability 55 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 55% · Brazeability / Solderability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb · Embodied Water 40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 7
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 08Al | SPHD |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | HR |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Black Oxide | — | Yes |
| Cerakote | — | Yes |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| E-Coating | — | Yes |
| Hot-Dip Galvanizing | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| PTFE Coating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
| Powder Coating | — | Yes |
| Tin Plating | — | Yes |
| Zinc Plating | — | Yes |
| Zinc-Flake (Dip-Spin) Coating | — | Yes |
| Zinc-Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
08Al vs SPHD — frequently asked
Is SPHD stronger than 08Al?
Yes. SPHD has a typical yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) against 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) for 08Al — about 53% more. Tensile strength is 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) vs 300 MPa (43.5 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 08Al or SPHD?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($, budget); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
When should I choose 08Al over SPHD?
Pick 08Al when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded. Pick SPHD when strength drives the design.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 08Al and SPHD side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.