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Steel 15B35 vs 30MnB5

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 15B35 and 30MnB5 are both steel grades. 30MnB5 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 900 MPa (131 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for 15B35, about 45% more; tensile strength follows at 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) vs 730 MPa (106 ksi). 30MnB5 is harder — 330 HB against 217 HB for 15B35 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 15B35 runs hotter in service (350°C vs 300°C continuous) and 15B35 conducts electricity better (9.5 % IACS vs 8 % IACS). On the shop floor, 15B35 machines more easily (good vs fair), 15B35 welds better (fair vs poor), and 15B35 forms better (good vs fair).

15B35Choose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.

30MnB5Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

15B35 vs 30MnB5: properties

15B3530MnB5

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
210 GPa30.5 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

730 MPa106 ksi
1,100 MPa160 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

620 MPa89.9 ksi
900 MPa131 ksi

Elongation at Break

13%
12%

Reduction in Area

40%
48%

Compressive Strength

620 MPa89.9 ksi
950 MPa138 ksi

Shear Strength

440 MPa63.8 ksi
660 MPa95.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

330 MPa47.9 ksi
500 MPa72.5 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

25 J18.4 ft·lbf
45 J33.2 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

217 HB
330 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

96 HRB
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
75 MPa·√m68.3 ksi·√in

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
35 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

—
345 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.

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,495°C2,723 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

46 W/m·K26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.9 µm/m·K6.6 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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

350°C662 °F
300°C572 °F

Min Service Temperature

-30°C-22 °F
-20°C-4 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

9.5 % IACS
8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.09 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)

-0.61 V
-0.65 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 10 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

55 / 100
40 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

65%
45%

Weldability

40 / 100
30 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
35 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
50 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.9 kg CO₂/kg
2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
60 L/kg7.2 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)

93 kN·m/kg
140 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.1 MN·m/kg
26.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

938 kJ/m³
1,929 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

12.3 mm²/s
11.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

14
19

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 scale15B3530MnB5

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability15B3530MnB5
Default condition——
Relative cost$ Budget$ Budget
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.

15B35 vs 30MnB5 — frequently asked

Is 30MnB5 stronger than 15B35?

Yes. 30MnB5 has a typical yield strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for 15B35 — about 45% more. Tensile strength is 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) vs 730 MPa (106 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 15B35 or 30MnB5?

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, 15B35 or 30MnB5?

15B35. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (40/100) for 30MnB5; for welding the order is 15B35 first (fair, 40/100) then 30MnB5 (poor, 30/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 15B35 and 30MnB5 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.