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Steel 1030 vs C25E

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 1030 and C25E are both steel grades. C25E is the stronger of the two: yield strength 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) for 1030, about 46% more; tensile strength follows at 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) vs 470 MPa (68.2 ksi). C25E is the more ductile: elongation 23% versus 20% for 1030, and C25E is harder (180 HB vs 137 HB). On the shop floor, C25E welds better (very good vs good).

C25EChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

1030 vs C25E: properties

1030C25E

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
210 GPa30.5 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

470 MPa68.2 ksi
610 MPa88.5 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

260 MPa37.7 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

20%
23%

Reduction in Area

42%
55%

Compressive Strength

260 MPa37.7 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Shear Strength

300 MPa43.5 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

230 MPa33.4 ksi
270 MPa39.2 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

55 MPa·√m50.1 ksi·√in
75 MPa·√m68.3 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

40 J29.5 ft·lbf
65 J47.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

137 HB
180 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

75 HRB
89 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

—
190 HV

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.

Liquidus Temperature

1,510°C2,750 °F
1,505°C2,741 °F

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

51.9 W/m·K30 BTU/hr·ft·°F
48 W/m·K27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Latent Heat of Fusion

247 J/g106 BTU/lb
250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 10 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.61 V
-0.62 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 10 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

55 / 100
60 / 100

Weldability

62 / 100
82 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

70 / 100
75 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 65% · Formability (cold) 50 / 100 · Polishability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Water

40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
50 L/kg6 gal/lb

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 1.9 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

60 kN·m/kg
78 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.1 MN·m/kg
26.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

165 kJ/m³
344 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.6 mm²/s
13 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

10
12

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 scale1030C25E

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability1030C25E
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.

1030 vs C25E — frequently asked

Is C25E stronger than 1030?

Yes. C25E has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) for 1030 — about 46% more. Tensile strength is 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) vs 470 MPa (68.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1030 or C25E?

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, 1030 or C25E?

C25E, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 60/100 against 55/100 for 1030; for welding the order is C25E first (very good, 82/100) then 1030 (good, 62/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1030 and C25E 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.