Steel 1090 vs T10
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 1090 and T10 are both steel grades. 1090 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) against 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) for T10, about 38% more; tensile strength follows at 965 MPa (140 ksi) vs 720 MPa (104 ksi). In exchange, T10 is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 10% for 1090, and 1090 is harder (285 HB vs 192 HB). On the shop floor, T10 machines more easily (48 vs 38 out of 100) and 1090 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than T10 (premium, $$$).
1090Choose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.
T10Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
1090 vs T10: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Rockwell B
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.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 1,465°C2,669 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 300°C572 °F · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 9 % IACS
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 10 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Castability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 40% · Weldability 15 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 1090 | T10 |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | HR | Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining. Both take the same 38 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, CrN, DLC, E-Coating and 26 more.
1090 vs T10 — frequently asked
Is 1090 stronger than T10?
Yes. 1090 has a typical yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) against 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) for T10 — about 38% more. Tensile strength is 965 MPa (140 ksi) vs 720 MPa (104 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 1090 or T10?
1090 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while T10 is premium ($$$). 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, 1090 or T10?
T10, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 48/100 against 38/100 for 1090.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1090 and T10 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.