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Steel 13-8Mo vs 8620

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 13-8Mo and 8620 are both steel grades. 13-8Mo is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,345 MPa (195 ksi) against 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) for 8620, about 3.5 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,413 MPa (205 ksi) vs 635 MPa (92.1 ksi). In exchange, 8620 is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 14% for 13-8Mo, and 13-8Mo is harder (429 HB vs 183 HB). 8620 conducts heat better (46.6 W/m·K vs 14 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 8620 machines more easily (good vs poor) and 8620 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 13-8Mo (high, $$$$).

13-8MoChoose it when strength drives the design.

8620Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

13-8Mo vs 8620: properties

13-8Mo8620

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

203 GPa29.4 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

78 GPa11.3 Msi
80 GPa11.6 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

1,413 MPa205 ksi
635 MPa92.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

1,345 MPa195 ksi
385 MPa55.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

14%
28%

Reduction in Area

55%
60%

Compressive Strength

1,380 MPa200 ksi
—

Shear Strength

850 MPa123 ksi
390 MPa56.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

690 MPa100 ksi
295 MPa42.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in
85 MPa·√m77.4 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

34 J25.1 ft·lbf
90 J66.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

429 HB
183 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

45 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

450 HV
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
90 HRB

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

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.76 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,400°C2,552 °F
1,425°C2,597 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,440°C2,624 °F
1,505°C2,741 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

14 W/m·K8.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
46.6 W/m·K26.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

10.6 µm/m·K5.9 µin/in·°F
11.6 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

425°C797 °F
400°C752 °F

Min Service Temperature

-73°C-99 °F
-40°C-40 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.7 % IACS
8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.02×10⁻⁶ Ω·m40.2 µΩ·in
2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.2 V
-0.6 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
11 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
62 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

25%
65%

Weldability

65 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

30 / 100
55 / 100

Castability

40 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

45 / 100
65 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

80 MJ/kg34,394 BTU/lb
30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5.4 kg CO₂/kg
2.1 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

160 L/kg19.2 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)

182 kN·m/kg
81 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.2 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

4,456 kJ/m³
362 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.9 mm²/s
12.5 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

9
12

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 scale862013-8Mo

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability13-8Mo8620
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—HR
Relative cost$$$$ High$$ 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.

13-8Mo vs 8620 — frequently asked

Is 13-8Mo stronger than 8620?

Yes. 13-8Mo has a typical yield strength of 1,345 MPa (195 ksi) against 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) for 8620 — about 3.5 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,413 MPa (205 ksi) vs 635 MPa (92.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 13-8Mo or 8620?

8620 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 13-8Mo is high ($$$$). 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, 13-8Mo or 8620?

8620. Its machinability rates good (62/100) against poor (25/100) for 13-8Mo; for welding the order is 13-8Mo first (good, 65/100) then 8620 (good, 60/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 13-8Mo and 8620 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.