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Steel 1065 vs 60SiCr8

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 1065 and 60SiCr8 are both steel grades. 60SiCr8 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for 1065, about 4.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) vs 670 MPa (97.2 ksi). In exchange, 1065 is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 8% for 60SiCr8, and 60SiCr8 is harder (460 HB vs 190 HB). 1065 runs hotter in service (350°C vs 250°C continuous) and 1065 conducts heat better (49 W/m·K vs 30 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 1065 machines more easily (fair vs poor), 1065 welds better (poor vs not recommended), and 60SiCr8 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 1065 (standard, $$).

1065Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

60SiCr8Choose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.

1065 vs 60SiCr8: properties

106560SiCr8

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
206 GPa29.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

80 GPa11.6 Msi
79 GPa11.5 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

670 MPa97.2 ksi
1,750 MPa254 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

380 MPa55.1 ksi
1,550 MPa225 ksi

Elongation at Break

12%
8%

Compressive Strength

380 MPa55.1 ksi
1,600 MPa232 ksi

Shear Strength

430 MPa62.4 ksi
1,050 MPa152 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
750 MPa109 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

45 MPa·√m41 ksi·√in
30 MPa·√m27.3 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

10 J7.4 ft·lbf
15 J11.1 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

190 HB
460 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

92 HRB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
48 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

—
490 HV

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Reduction in Area 30%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,480°C2,696 °F
1,490°C2,714 °F

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

49 W/m·K28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
30 W/m·K17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Latent Heat of Fusion

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

350°C662 °F
250°C482 °F

Min Service Temperature

-20°C-4 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

9.5 % IACS
5.2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.09 µΩ·in
3.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m13 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.61 V
-0.6 V

Corrosion Resistance

10 / 100
12 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

45 / 100
15 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

57%
15%

Weldability

25 / 100
12 / 100

Formability (cold)

30 / 100
10 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
—

Polishability

65 / 100
60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.9 kg CO₂/kg
2.1 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

30 L/kg3.6 gal/lb
60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

85 kN·m/kg
223 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.1 MN·m/kg
26.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

352 kJ/m³
5,831 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.3 mm²/s
8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

14
22

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 scale106560SiCr8

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability106560SiCr8
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.

1065 vs 60SiCr8 — frequently asked

Is 60SiCr8 stronger than 1065?

Yes. 60SiCr8 has a typical yield strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for 1065 — about 4.1 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) vs 670 MPa (97.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1065 or 60SiCr8?

60SiCr8 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 1065 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 is easier to machine, 1065 or 60SiCr8?

1065. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (15/100) for 60SiCr8; for welding the order is 1065 first (poor, 25/100) then 60SiCr8 (not recommended, 12/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1065 and 60SiCr8 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.