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Steel 1524 vs SCM415

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 1524 and SCM415 are both steel grades. SCM415 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) against 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) for 1524, about 41% more; tensile strength follows at 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) vs 510 MPa (74 ksi). SCM415 is harder — 180 HB against 149 HB for 1524 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 1524 conducts heat better (51.9 W/m·K vs 44 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 1524 welds better (very good vs good) and 1524 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than SCM415 (standard, $$).

1524Choose it when it will be welded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

SCM415Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

1524 vs SCM415: properties

1524SCM415

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
206 GPa29.9 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

510 MPa74 ksi
640 MPa92.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

305 MPa44.2 ksi
430 MPa62.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

20%
22%

Reduction in Area

42%
55%

Compressive Strength

305 MPa44.2 ksi
430 MPa62.4 ksi

Shear Strength

330 MPa47.9 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
290 MPa42.1 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

70 MPa·√m63.7 ksi·√in
90 MPa·√m81.9 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

45 J33.2 ft·lbf
55 J40.6 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

149 HB
180 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

80 HRB
89 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

157 HV
190 HV

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.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,430°C2,606 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,500°C2,732 °F
1,510°C2,750 °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
44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Latent Heat of Fusion

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

Min Service Temperature

-20°C-4 °F
-50°C-58 °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
12 / 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.

Machinability

55 / 100
58 / 100

Weldability

70 / 100
55 / 100

Castability

40 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

70 / 100
65 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
60 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 60% · Formability (cold) 60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

24 MJ/kg10,318 BTU/lb
27 MJ/kg11,608 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.9 kg CO₂/kg
2.1 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
50 L/kg6 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

65 kN·m/kg
82 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.5 MN·m/kg
26.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

233 kJ/m³
449 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.6 mm²/s
11.9 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 11

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 scaleSCM4151524

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability1524SCM415
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—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.

1524 vs SCM415 — frequently asked

Is SCM415 stronger than 1524?

Yes. SCM415 has a typical yield strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) against 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) for 1524 — about 41% more. Tensile strength is 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) vs 510 MPa (74 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1524 or SCM415?

1524 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while SCM415 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 welds better, 1524 or SCM415?

1524. Its weldability rates very good (70/100) against good (55/100) for SCM415.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1524 and SCM415 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.