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Steel 1J34 vs Fe-Co 50 (unalloyed)

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 1J34 and Fe-Co 50 (unalloyed) are both steel grades. Fe-Co 50 (unalloyed) is the stronger of the two: yield strength 800 MPa (116 ksi) against 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) for 1J34, about 3.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi). In exchange, 1J34 is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 1.5% for Fe-Co 50 (unalloyed), and Fe-Co 50 (unalloyed) is harder (300 HB vs 130 HB). Fe-Co 50 (unalloyed) is stiffer (210 GPa vs 185 GPa) and Fe-Co 50 (unalloyed) conducts heat better (43 W/m·K vs 14 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 1J34 machines more easily (30 vs 20 out of 100) and 1J34 welds better (good vs poor).

1J34Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

Fe-Co 50 (unalloyed)Choose it when strength drives the design.

1J34 vs Fe-Co 50 (unalloyed): properties

1J34Fe-Co 50 (unalloyed)

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

185 GPa26.8 Msi
210 GPa30.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

71 GPa10.3 Msi
81 GPa11.7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

160 GPa23.2 Msi
168 GPa24.4 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

560 MPa81.2 ksi
900 MPa131 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

260 MPa37.7 ksi
800 MPa116 ksi

Elongation at Break

30%
1.5%

Reduction in Area

55%
3%

Compressive Strength

265 MPa38.4 ksi
850 MPa123 ksi

Shear Strength

380 MPa55.1 ksi
590 MPa85.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
350 MPa50.8 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

90 J66.4 ft·lbf
3 J2.2 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

130 HB
300 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

74 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

140 HV
320 HV

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
30 MPa·√m27.3 ksi·√in

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
32 HRC

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,440°C2,624 °F
1,470°C2,678 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,470°C2,678 °F
1,500°C2,732 °F

Same in both: Density 8.2 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

14 W/m·K8.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
43 W/m·K24.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

10 µm/m·K5.6 µin/in·°F
9.5 µm/m·K5.3 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

275 J/g118 BTU/lb
260 J/g112 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-60°C-76 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

3.8 % IACS
23 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

4.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m17.7 µΩ·in
7.5×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.95 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.4 V
-0.55 V

Corrosion Resistance

25 / 100
14 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
20 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

25%
18%

Weldability

55 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

70 / 100
10 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
30 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

65 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

130 MJ/kg55,890 BTU/lb
110 MJ/kg47,292 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

11 kg CO₂/kg
8.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

220 L/kg26.4 gal/lb
400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

68 kN·m/kg
110 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

22.6 MN·m/kg
25.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

183 kJ/m³
1,524 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.7 mm²/s
12.5 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

4
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 scaleFe-Co 50 (unalloyed)1J34

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability1J34Fe-Co 50 (unalloyed)
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.

1J34 vs Fe-Co 50 (unalloyed) — frequently asked

Is Fe-Co 50 (unalloyed) stronger than 1J34?

Yes. Fe-Co 50 (unalloyed) has a typical yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) against 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) for 1J34 — about 3.1 times as much. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1J34 or Fe-Co 50 (unalloyed)?

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, 1J34 or Fe-Co 50 (unalloyed)?

1J34, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 20/100 for Fe-Co 50 (unalloyed); for welding the order is 1J34 first (good, 55/100) then Fe-Co 50 (unalloyed) (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1J34 and Fe-Co 50 (unalloyed) 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.