FabDigitFabDigit

Steel 1120 vs 1141

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 1120 and 1141 are both steel grades. 1120 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for 1141, about 10% more. In exchange, 1141 is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 15.5% for 1120, and 1141 is harder (192 HB vs 143 HB). On the shop floor, 1120 welds better (fair vs poor) and 1120 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 1141 (standard, $$).

1120Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.

1141Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

1120 vs 1141: properties

11201141

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

140 GPa20.3 Msi
160 GPa23.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

470 MPa68.2 ksi
675 MPa97.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

395 MPa57.3 ksi
360 MPa52.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

15.5%
22%

Reduction in Area

40%
38%

Shear Strength

315 MPa45.7 ksi
405 MPa58.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

220 MPa31.9 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

70 MPa·√m63.7 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

25 J18.4 ft·lbf
30 J22.1 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

143 HB
192 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

78 HRB
92 HRB

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.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,420°C2,588 °F
1,425°C2,597 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,510°C2,750 °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

51 W/m·K29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
49 W/m·K28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
425°C797 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 486 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10.5 % IACS
9.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 µΩ·in
1.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.09 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.62 V
-0.61 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 10 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

76 / 100
68 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

80%
70%

Weldability

45 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

40 / 100
35 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

40 / 100
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2 kg CO₂/kg
1.9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

50 L/kg6 gal/lb
45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

60 kN·m/kg
86 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

390 kJ/m³
324 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.4 mm²/s
12.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

10
14

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 25.5 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 scale11411120

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability11201141
CNC machining—Yes
Default condition—HR
Relative cost$ Budget$$ Standard
Min. machined wall—0.8 mm
Best machined surface—Ra 1.6 µm
AlCrN—Yes
AlTiN—Yes
Black Oxide—Yes
CVD Al2O3—Yes
CVD TiCN—Yes
CVD TiN—Yes
Cerakote—Yes
Chrome Plating—Yes
CrN—Yes
DLC—Yes
E-Coating—Yes
HVOF Coating—Yes
Hot-Dip Galvanizing—Yes
MoS2—Yes
Multilayer CVD—Yes
Nickel Plating—Yes
PTFE Coating—Yes
Painting—Yes

They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.

1120 vs 1141 — frequently asked

Is 1120 stronger than 1141?

Yes. 1120 has a typical yield strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for 1141 — about 10% more. Tensile strength is 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) vs 675 MPa (97.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1120 or 1141?

1120 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 1141 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, 1120 or 1141?

1120. Its machinability rates very good (76/100) against good (68/100) for 1141; for welding the order is 1120 first (fair, 45/100) then 1141 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1120 and 1141 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.