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Steel 30KhGSL vs 35#

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 30KhGSL and 35# are both steel grades. 30KhGSL is the stronger of the two: yield strength 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) against 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) for 35#, about 30% more; tensile strength follows at 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi). In exchange, 35# is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 15% for 30KhGSL, and 30KhGSL is harder (207 HB vs 160 HB). 35# conducts heat better (49 W/m·K vs 38 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 35# machines more easily (good vs fair), 35# welds better (good vs fair), and 35# sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 30KhGSL (standard, $$).

30KhGSLChoose it when strength drives the design.

35#Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

30KhGSL vs 35#: properties

30KhGSL35#

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
207 GPa30 Msi

Bulk Modulus

165 GPa23.9 Msi
160 GPa23.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

650 MPa94.3 ksi
560 MPa81.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

430 MPa62.4 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

15%
22%

Reduction in Area

28%
50%

Compressive Strength

440 MPa63.8 ksi
—

Shear Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

270 MPa39.2 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

65 MPa·√m59.2 ksi·√in
55 MPa·√m50.1 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

25 J18.4 ft·lbf
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

207 HB
160 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

18 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

218 HV
168 HV

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
83 HRB

Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,420°C2,588 °F
1,425°C2,597 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,495°C2,723 °F
1,500°C2,732 °F

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

38 W/m·K22 BTU/hr·ft·°F
49 W/m·K28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
11.6 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F

Min Service Temperature

-40°C-40 °F
-20°C-4 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

7.8 % IACS
10 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.62 V
-0.65 V

Corrosion Resistance

12 / 100
11 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

48 / 100
60 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

55%
65%

Weldability

40 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

15 / 100
45 / 100

Castability

58 / 100
35 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

45 / 100
65 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

27 MJ/kg11,608 BTU/lb
25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.1 kg CO₂/kg
1.9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

70%
25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

83 kN·m/kg
71 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.1 MN·m/kg
26.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

451 kJ/m³
263 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

10.3 mm²/s
13.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

10
11

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 scale35#30KhGSL

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability30KhGSL35#
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—HR
Relative cost$$ Standard$ Budget
Min. machined wall—0.8 mm
Best machined surface—Ra 1.6 µm
AlCrN—Yes
AlTiN—Yes
Black Oxide—Yes
CVD Al2O3—Yes
CVD TiCN—Yes
CVD TiN—Yes
Cerakote—Yes
Chrome Plating—Yes
CrN—Yes
DLC—Yes
E-Coating—Yes
HVOF Coating—Yes
Hot-Dip Galvanizing—Yes
MoS2—Yes
Multilayer CVD—Yes
Nickel Plating—Yes
PTFE Coating—Yes
Painting—Yes

They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.

30KhGSL vs 35# — frequently asked

Is 30KhGSL stronger than 35#?

Yes. 30KhGSL has a typical yield strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) against 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) for 35# — about 30% more. Tensile strength is 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 30KhGSL or 35#?

35# is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 30KhGSL is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, 30KhGSL or 35#?

35#. Its machinability rates good (60/100) against fair (48/100) for 30KhGSL; for welding the order is 35# first (good, 55/100) then 30KhGSL (fair, 40/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 30KhGSL and 35# 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.