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Steel 1006 vs E235

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 1006 and E235 are both steel grades. E235 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) against 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) for 1006, about 56% more; tensile strength follows at 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) vs 300 MPa (43.5 ksi). In exchange, 1006 is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 27% for E235, and E235 is harder (130 HB vs 86 HB). 1006 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous) and 1006 conducts heat better (65 W/m·K vs 50 W/m·K). On the shop floor, E235 machines more easily (good vs fair).

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

E235Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

1006 vs E235: properties

1006E235

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
210 GPa30.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

80 GPa11.6 Msi
81 GPa11.7 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

170 MPa24.7 ksi
265 MPa38.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

30%
27%

Shear Strength

200 MPa29 ksi
270 MPa39.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
195 MPa28.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in
120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

120 J88.5 ft·lbf
50 J36.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

86 HB
130 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

41 HRB
72 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

90 HV
137 HV

Compressive Strength

—
265 MPa38.4 ksi

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Reduction in Area 55%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.87 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,515°C2,759 °F
1,460°C2,660 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,535°C2,795 °F
1,520°C2,768 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

65 W/m·K37.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
350°C662 °F

Min Service Temperature

-30°C-22 °F
-20°C-4 °F

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 247 J/g106 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

12 % IACS
10.7 % 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
65 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

50%
65%

Weldability

97 / 100
92 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
80 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

80 / 100
75 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 45 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.1 kg CO₂/kg
1.9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
40 L/kg4.8 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
54 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26 MN·m/kg
26.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

70 kJ/m³
167 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

17.2 mm²/s
13.6 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 8

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 scale1006E235

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability1006E235
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 E235 — frequently asked

Is E235 stronger than 1006?

Yes. E235 has a typical yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) against 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) for 1006 — about 56% more. Tensile strength is 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) vs 300 MPa (43.5 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1006 or E235?

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 E235?

E235. Its machinability rates good (65/100) against fair (45/100) for 1006; for welding the order is 1006 first (excellent, 97/100) then E235 (excellent, 92/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1006 and E235 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.