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Steel 15B35 vs 41B17

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 15B35 and 41B17 are both steel grades. 15B35 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) for 41B17, about 97% more; tensile strength follows at 730 MPa (106 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi). In exchange, 41B17 is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 13% for 15B35, and 15B35 is harder (217 HB vs 143 HB). 41B17 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous) and 15B35 conducts electricity better (9.5 % IACS vs 7.8 % IACS). On the shop floor, 41B17 welds better (good vs fair).

15B35Choose it when strength drives the design.

41B17Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

15B35 vs 41B17: properties

15B3541B17

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

730 MPa106 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

620 MPa89.9 ksi
315 MPa45.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

13%
30%

Reduction in Area

40%
60%

Compressive Strength

620 MPa89.9 ksi
—

Shear Strength

440 MPa63.8 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

330 MPa47.9 ksi
235 MPa34.1 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

25 J18.4 ft·lbf
65 J47.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

217 HB
143 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

96 HRB
78 HRB

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
90 MPa·√m81.9 ksi·√in

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 205 GPa29.7 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Liquidus Temperature

1,495°C2,723 °F
1,500°C2,732 °F

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

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

46 W/m·K26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F
12.2 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
400°C752 °F

Min Service Temperature

-30°C-22 °F
-40°C-40 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 475 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

9.5 % IACS
7.8 % 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).

Corrosion Resistance

10 / 100
11 / 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
62 / 100

Weldability

40 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
70 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
65 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 65% · Polishability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
29 MJ/kg12,468 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.9 kg CO₂/kg
2.1 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

93 kN·m/kg
61 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

938 kJ/m³
242 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

12.3 mm²/s
11.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

14
8

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.1 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 scale15B3541B17

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability15B3541B17
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 41B17 — frequently asked

Is 15B35 stronger than 41B17?

Yes. 15B35 has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) for 41B17 — about 97% more. Tensile strength is 730 MPa (106 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 15B35 or 41B17?

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 41B17?

41B17, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 62/100 against 55/100 for 15B35; for welding the order is 41B17 first (good, 60/100) then 15B35 (fair, 40/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 15B35 and 41B17 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.