FabDigitFabDigit

Steel 1010 vs C17C

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 1010 and C17C are both steel grades. C17C is the stronger of the two: yield strength 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) for 1010, about 150% more; tensile strength follows at 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 325 MPa (47.1 ksi). In exchange, 1010 is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 12% for C17C, and C17C is harder (160 HB vs 95 HB). 1010 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, C17C machines more easily (good vs fair).

1010Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

C17CChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

1010 vs C17C: properties

1010C17C

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

325 MPa47.1 ksi
550 MPa79.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

180 MPa26.1 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

28%
12%

Shear Strength

220 MPa31.9 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

160 MPa23.2 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

140 MPa·√m127 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

95 J70.1 ft·lbf
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

95 HB
160 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

55 HRB
83 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

100 HV
168 HV

Compressive Strength

—
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Reduction in Area 50%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Liquidus Temperature

1,525°C2,777 °F
1,520°C2,768 °F

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,495°C2,723 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

49.8 W/m·K28.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
51 W/m·K29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
300°C572 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 247 J/g106 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

12 % IACS
11 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.43×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.63 µΩ·in
1.59×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.26 µΩ·in

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.

Machinability

42 / 100
55 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

55%
70%

Weldability

95 / 100
92 / 100

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
70 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

80 / 100
75 / 100

Polishability

40 / 100
50 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

24 MJ/kg10,318 BTU/lb
25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.9 kg CO₂/kg
2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

35 L/kg4.2 gal/lb
40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

41 kN·m/kg
70 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.4 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

81 kJ/m³
494 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

14.1 mm²/s
13.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

7
11

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 scale1010C17C

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability1010C17C
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionHR—
Relative cost$ Budget$ Budget
Min. machined wall0.8 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µm—
AlCrNYes—
AlTiNYes—
Black OxideYes—
CVD Al2O3Yes—
CVD TiCNYes—
CVD TiNYes—
CerakoteYes—
Chrome PlatingYes—
CrNYes—
DLCYes—
E-CoatingYes—
HVOF CoatingYes—
Hot-Dip GalvanizingYes—
MoS2Yes—
Multilayer CVDYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PTFE CoatingYes—
PaintingYes—

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

1010 vs C17C — frequently asked

Is C17C stronger than 1010?

Yes. C17C has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) for 1010 — about 150% more. Tensile strength is 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 325 MPa (47.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1010 or C17C?

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, 1010 or C17C?

C17C. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (42/100) for 1010.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1010 and C17C 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.