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Steel 10B21 vs 41B17

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 10B21 and 41B17 are both steel grades. 41B17 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) against 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) for 10B21, about 9% more; tensile strength follows at 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) vs 430 MPa (62.4 ksi). 41B17 is harder — 143 HB against 126 HB for 10B21 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 10B21 conducts heat better (51.9 W/m·K vs 42 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 10B21 welds better (excellent vs good) and 10B21 forms better (82 vs 70 out of 100).

10B21Choose it when it will be welded.

41B17Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

10B21 vs 41B17: properties

10B2141B17

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

430 MPa62.4 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

290 MPa42.1 ksi
315 MPa45.7 ksi

Reduction in Area

55%
60%

Shear Strength

275 MPa39.9 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

200 MPa29 ksi
235 MPa34.1 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

126 HB
143 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

71 HRB
78 HRB

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 205 GPa29.7 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Elongation at Break 30% · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 90 MPa·√m81.9 ksi·√in · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 65 J47.9 ft·lbf

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,465°C2,669 °F
1,425°C2,597 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,510°C2,750 °F
1,500°C2,732 °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

51.9 W/m·K30 BTU/hr·ft·°F
42 W/m·K24.3 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)

11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F
12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

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

Min Service Temperature

-30°C-22 °F
-40°C-40 °F

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10.8 % IACS
7.8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 µΩ·in
2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

10 / 100
11 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.61 V

Manufacturability

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

Weldability

85 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

82 / 100
70 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

70 / 100
65 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
55 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 62 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 65%

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
29 MJ/kg12,468 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.9 kg CO₂/kg
2.1 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

55 kN·m/kg
61 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

205 kJ/m³
242 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

14.1 mm²/s
11.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

9
8

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.1 MN·m/kg

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 scale10B2141B17

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability10B2141B17
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.

10B21 vs 41B17 — frequently asked

Is 41B17 stronger than 10B21?

Yes. 41B17 has a typical yield strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) against 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) for 10B21 — about 9% more. Tensile strength is 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) vs 430 MPa (62.4 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 10B21 or 41B17?

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 welds better, 10B21 or 41B17?

10B21. Its weldability rates excellent (85/100) against good (60/100) for 41B17.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 10B21 and 41B17 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.