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Steel 1006 vs 1017

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 1006 and 1017 are both steel grades. 1017 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) against 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) for 1006, about 118% more; tensile strength follows at 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) vs 300 MPa (43.5 ksi). In exchange, 1006 is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 15% for 1017, and 1017 is harder (126 HB vs 86 HB). 1006 conducts heat better (65 W/m·K vs 51.9 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 1017 machines more easily (good vs fair).

1006Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

1017Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

1006 vs 1017: properties

10061017

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
200 GPa29 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
435 MPa63.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

170 MPa24.7 ksi
370 MPa53.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

30%
15%

Reduction in Area

55%
40%

Shear Strength

200 MPa29 ksi
275 MPa39.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
215 MPa31.2 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in
110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

120 J88.5 ft·lbf
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

86 HB
126 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

41 HRB
71 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

90 HV
132 HV

Compressive Strength

—
370 MPa53.7 ksi

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.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,515°C2,759 °F
1,495°C2,723 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,535°C2,795 °F
1,525°C2,777 °F

Same in both: Density 7.87 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

65 W/m·K37.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
51.9 W/m·K30 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

481 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
486 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F

Min Service Temperature

-30°C-22 °F
-20°C-4 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 247 J/g106 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

12 % IACS
10.8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.43×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.63 µΩ·in
1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.65 V
-0.61 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 10 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

45 / 100
55 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

50%
70%

Weldability

97 / 100
90 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
60 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
—

Polishability

45 / 100
40 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.1 kg CO₂/kg
2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

28%
30%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

38 kN·m/kg
55 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26 MN·m/kg
25.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

70 kJ/m³
342 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

17.2 mm²/s
13.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

8
9

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.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale10061017

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability10061017
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionHR—
Relative cost$ Budget$ Budget
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——
Black OxideYes—
CerakoteYes—
Chrome PlatingYes—
E-CoatingYes—
Hot-Dip GalvanizingYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PTFE CoatingYes—
PaintingYes—
Powder CoatingYes—
Tin PlatingYes—
Zinc PlatingYes—
Zinc-Flake (Dip-Spin) CoatingYes—
Zinc-Nickel PlatingYes—

They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.

1006 vs 1017 — frequently asked

Is 1017 stronger than 1006?

Yes. 1017 has a typical yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) against 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) for 1006 — about 118% more. Tensile strength is 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) vs 300 MPa (43.5 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1006 or 1017?

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.

Which is easier to machine, 1006 or 1017?

1017. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (45/100) for 1006; for welding the order is 1006 first (excellent, 97/100) then 1017 (excellent, 90/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1006 and 1017 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.