FabDigitFabDigit

Steel 1060 vs T12

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 1060 and T12 are both steel grades. T12 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) against 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) for 1060, about 16% more; tensile strength follows at 750 MPa (109 ksi) vs 675 MPa (97.9 ksi). T12 is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 17% for 1060. T12 runs hotter in service (350°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, 1060 welds better (poor vs not recommended) and T12 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 1060 (standard, $$).

1060Choose it when it will be welded.

T12Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

1060 vs T12: properties

1060T12

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)

675 MPa97.9 ksi
750 MPa109 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

370 MPa53.7 ksi
430 MPa62.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

17%
22%

Reduction in Area

34%
45%

Shear Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

305 MPa44.2 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

45 MPa·√m41 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

12 J8.9 ft·lbf
18 J13.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

201 HB
200 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

93 HRB
94 HRB

Compressive Strength

—
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Hardness, Vickers 210 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,400°C2,552 °F
1,370°C2,498 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,470°C2,678 °F
1,450°C2,642 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

49 W/m·K28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
47 W/m·K27.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.3 µm/m·K6.3 µin/in·°F
11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
350°C662 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

9.6 % IACS
9.5 % IACS

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.09 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 Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

60%
40%

Weldability

25 / 100
12 / 100

Formability (cold)

30 / 100
35 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
50 / 100

Polishability

65 / 100
80 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 45 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.9 kg CO₂/kg
2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

86 kN·m/kg
96 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.1 MN·m/kg
26.9 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

334 kJ/m³
440 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.3 mm²/s
12.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

14
15

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 scale1060T12

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability1060T12
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionHR—
Relative cost$$ Standard$ 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.

1060 vs T12 — frequently asked

Is T12 stronger than 1060?

Yes. T12 has a typical yield strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) against 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) for 1060 — about 16% more. Tensile strength is 750 MPa (109 ksi) vs 675 MPa (97.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1060 or T12?

T12 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 1060 is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which welds better, 1060 or T12?

1060. Its weldability rates poor (25/100) against not recommended (12/100) for T12.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1060 and T12 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.