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Steel 30Q130 vs 3J53

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 30Q130 and 3J53 are both steel grades. 3J53 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 760 MPa (110 ksi) against 345 MPa (50 ksi) for 30Q130, about 120% more. 3J53 is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 8% for 30Q130, and 3J53 is harder (172 HB vs 160 HB). 30Q130 is lighter (7.65 g/cm³ vs 8.14 g/cm³ for 3J53) and 3J53 is stiffer (155 GPa vs 120 GPa). On the shop floor, 3J53 welds better (50 vs 35 out of 100) and 30Q130 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 3J53 (high, $$$$).

30Q130Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

3J53Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

30Q130 vs 3J53: properties

30Q1303J53

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

120 GPa17.4 Msi
155 GPa22.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

47 GPa6.8 Msi
63 GPa9.1 Msi

Bulk Modulus

160 GPa23.2 Msi
145 GPa21 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.31

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

345 MPa50 ksi
760 MPa110 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

315 MPa45.7 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

8%
35%

Shear Strength

230 MPa33.4 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

160 MPa23.2 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

160 HB
172 HB

Hardness, Vickers

170 HV
180 HV

Reduction in Area

—
55%

Compressive Strength

—
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
90 J66.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
88 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.65 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
8.14 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,470°C2,678 °F
1,425°C2,597 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,510°C2,750 °F
1,450°C2,642 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

22 W/m·K12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
12.6 W/m·K7.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.6 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
7.9 µm/m·K4.4 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

270 J/g116 BTU/lb
—

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
150°C302 °F

Min Service Temperature

-60°C-76 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

3.6 % IACS
2.2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

4.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m18.9 µΩ·in
8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.5 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

18 / 100
40 / 100

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

—
-0.35 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
35 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

45%
30%

Weldability

35 / 100
50 / 100

Formability (cold)

35 / 100
75 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

40 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
65 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb
130 MJ/kg55,890 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.6 kg CO₂/kg
9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
220 L/kg26.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

15%
20%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

45 kN·m/kg
93 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

15.7 MN·m/kg
19 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

413 kJ/m³
351 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

6 mm²/s
3.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

5
8

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 scale30Q1303J53

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability30Q1303J53
Default condition——
Relative cost$$ Standard$$$$ 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.

30Q130 vs 3J53 — frequently asked

Is 3J53 stronger than 30Q130?

Yes. 3J53 has a typical tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) against 345 MPa (50 ksi) for 30Q130 — about 120% more.

Which is cheaper, 30Q130 or 3J53?

30Q130 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 3J53 is high ($$$$). 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, 30Q130 or 3J53?

30Q130, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 40/100 against 35/100 for 3J53; for welding the order is 3J53 first (fair, 50/100) then 30Q130 (fair, 35/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 30Q130 and 3J53 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.