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Steel 1117 vs 1213

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 1117 and 1213 are both steel grades. 1213 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) against 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) for 1117, about 77% more; tensile strength follows at 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) vs 425 MPa (61.6 ksi). In exchange, 1117 is the more ductile: elongation 33% versus 10% for 1213, and 1213 is harder (167 HB vs 121 HB). On the shop floor, 1213 machines more easily (excellent vs very good) and 1117 welds better (fair vs poor).

1117Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

1213Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

1117 vs 1213: properties

11171213

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

160 GPa23.2 Msi
140 GPa20.3 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

425 MPa61.6 ksi
540 MPa78.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

235 MPa34.1 ksi
415 MPa60.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

33%
10%

Reduction in Area

58%
35%

Shear Strength

320 MPa46.4 ksi
375 MPa54.4 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

200 MPa29 ksi
225 MPa32.6 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

50 J36.9 ft·lbf
20 J14.8 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

121 HB
167 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

68 HRB
85 HRB

Compressive Strength

—
415 MPa60.2 ksi

Hardness, Vickers

—
175 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Same in both: Density 7.87 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,500°C2,732 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

51 W/m·K29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
51.9 W/m·K30 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F
11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

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

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 10.8 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 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
8 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

70 / 100
92 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

91%
136%

Weldability

50 / 100
15 / 100

Formability (cold)

60 / 100
30 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

65 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
35 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

30%
35%

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

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

54 kN·m/kg
69 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

138 kJ/m³
431 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.8 mm²/s
13.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

9
12

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 25.4 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 scale11171213

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability11171213
CNC machiningYes—
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.

1117 vs 1213 — frequently asked

Is 1213 stronger than 1117?

Yes. 1213 has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) against 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) for 1117 — about 77% more. Tensile strength is 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) vs 425 MPa (61.6 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1117 or 1213?

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, 1117 or 1213?

1213. Its machinability rates excellent (92/100) against very good (70/100) for 1117; for welding the order is 1117 first (fair, 50/100) then 1213 (poor, 15/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1117 and 1213 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.