Steel 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel vs Ferrium S53
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel and Ferrium S53 are both steel grades. Ferrium S53 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) against 1,400 MPa (203 ksi) for 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel, about 16% more; tensile strength follows at 1,985 MPa (288 ksi) vs 1,450 MPa (210 ksi). Ferrium S53 is harder — 54 HRC against 43 HRC for 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Ferrium S53 is stiffer (200 GPa vs 186 GPa) and 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel conducts heat better (20.5 W/m·K vs 18 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel machines more easily (30 vs 18 out of 100) and 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel welds better (very good vs poor).
18Ni(200) Maraging SteelChoose it when the part is machined in volume, or when it will be welded.
Ferrium S53Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
18Ni(200) Maraging Steel vs Ferrium S53: 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 S53
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear 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: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · 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
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
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
Same in both: Polishability 80 / 100
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
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 16
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 S53 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
18Ni(200) Maraging Steel vs Ferrium S53 — frequently asked
Is Ferrium S53 stronger than 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel?
Yes. Ferrium S53 has a typical yield strength of 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) against 1,400 MPa (203 ksi) for 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel — about 16% more. Tensile strength is 1,985 MPa (288 ksi) vs 1,450 MPa (210 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel or Ferrium S53?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, 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 S53?
18Ni(200) Maraging Steel, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 18/100 for Ferrium S53; for welding the order is 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel first (very good, 70/100) then Ferrium S53 (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 18Ni(200) Maraging Steel and Ferrium S53 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.