Steel 34CrAlNi7-10 vs 38CrMoAlA
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 34CrAlNi7-10 and 38CrMoAlA are both steel grades. 38CrMoAlA is the stronger of the two: yield strength 880 MPa (128 ksi) against 780 MPa (113 ksi) for 34CrAlNi7-10, about 13% more. 38CrMoAlA is the more ductile: elongation 16% versus 13% for 34CrAlNi7-10. 38CrMoAlA conducts electricity better (7.8 % IACS vs 6.6 % IACS).
38CrMoAlAChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
34CrAlNi7-10 vs 38CrMoAlA: 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Rockwell C
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 70 MPa·√m63.7 ksi·√in · Hardness, Brinell 310 HB · Hardness, Vickers 325 HV
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 33 W/m·K19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 500°C932 °F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.6 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Brazeability / Solderability
Castability
Same in both: Machinability 45 / 100 · Formability (cold) 20 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 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)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.9 MN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 14
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 | 34CrAlNi7-10 | 38CrMoAlA |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Q&T |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| 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.
34CrAlNi7-10 vs 38CrMoAlA — frequently asked
Is 38CrMoAlA stronger than 34CrAlNi7-10?
Yes. 38CrMoAlA has a typical yield strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) against 780 MPa (113 ksi) for 34CrAlNi7-10 — about 13% more. Tensile strength is 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) vs 1,000 MPa (145 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 34CrAlNi7-10 or 38CrMoAlA?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, 34CrAlNi7-10 or 38CrMoAlA?
38CrMoAlA. Its weldability rates poor (20/100) against not recommended (12/100) for 34CrAlNi7-10.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 34CrAlNi7-10 and 38CrMoAlA 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.