Steel 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel vs Ferrium M54
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel and Ferrium M54 are both steel grades. Ferrium M54 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,725 MPa (250 ksi) against 1,400 MPa (203 ksi) for 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel, about 23% more; tensile strength follows at 2,020 MPa (293 ksi) vs 1,450 MPa (210 ksi). Ferrium M54 is harder — 55 HRC against 43 HRC for 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Ferrium M54 is stiffer (200 GPa vs 186 GPa). On the shop floor, 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel welds better (very good vs poor).
18Ni(200) Maraging SteelChoose it when it will be welded.
Ferrium M54Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
18Ni(200) Maraging Steel vs Ferrium M54: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
18Ni(200) Maraging SteelFerrium M54
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elongation at Break 12%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel | Ferrium M54 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
18Ni(200) Maraging Steel vs Ferrium M54 — frequently asked
Is Ferrium M54 stronger than 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel?
Yes. Ferrium M54 has a typical yield strength of 1,725 MPa (250 ksi) against 1,400 MPa (203 ksi) for 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel — about 23% more. Tensile strength is 2,020 MPa (293 ksi) vs 1,450 MPa (210 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel or Ferrium M54?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel or Ferrium M54?
18Ni(200) Maraging Steel, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 22/100 for Ferrium M54; for welding the order is 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel first (very good, 70/100) then Ferrium M54 (poor, 30/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel and Ferrium M54 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.