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Steel 34MnB5 vs P355Q

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 34MnB5 and P355Q are both steel grades. 34MnB5 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) for P355Q, about 11% more. In exchange, P355Q is the more ductile: elongation 26% versus 14% for 34MnB5, and 34MnB5 is harder (185 HB vs 175 HB). On the shop floor, P355Q welds better (very good vs good) and P355Q sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 34MnB5 (standard, $$).

34MnB5Choose it when strength drives the design.

P355QChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

34MnB5 vs P355Q: properties

34MnB5P355Q

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

80 GPa11.6 Msi
81 GPa11.7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

160 GPa23.2 Msi
165 GPa23.9 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

620 MPa89.9 ksi
560 MPa81.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

420 MPa60.9 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Elongation at Break

14%
26%

Reduction in Area

45%
60%

Shear Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
350 MPa50.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

280 MPa40.6 ksi
255 MPa37 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

55 MPa·√m50.1 ksi·√in
130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

40 J29.5 ft·lbf
120 J88.5 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

185 HB
175 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

89 HRB
88 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

195 HV
184 HV

Compressive Strength

—
400 MPa58 ksi

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi

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
1,510°C2,750 °F

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

Thermal

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

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.5 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

250 J/g107 BTU/lb
270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-40°C-40 °F
0°C32 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

8 % IACS
8.2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
2.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.27 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.6 V
-0.62 V

Corrosion Resistance

11 / 100
12 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

55 / 100
58 / 100

Weldability

55 / 100
82 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

45 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Castability

—
0 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 60% · Formability (cold) 60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
35 L/kg4.2 gal/lb

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

79 kN·m/kg
71 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

420 kJ/m³
381 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.9 mm²/s
12.2 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.8 MN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 10

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 scale34MnB5P355Q

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability34MnB5P355Q
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionCR—
Relative cost$$ Standard$ Budget
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——
Black OxideYes—
CerakoteYes—
Chrome PlatingYes—
E-CoatingYes—
Hot-Dip GalvanizingYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PTFE CoatingYes—
PaintingYes—
Powder CoatingYes—
Tin PlatingYes—
Zinc PlatingYes—
Zinc-Flake (Dip-Spin) CoatingYes—
Zinc-Nickel PlatingYes—

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

34MnB5 vs P355Q — frequently asked

Is 34MnB5 stronger than P355Q?

Yes. 34MnB5 has a typical tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) for P355Q — about 11% more.

Which is cheaper, 34MnB5 or P355Q?

P355Q is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 34MnB5 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 welds better, 34MnB5 or P355Q?

P355Q. Its weldability rates very good (82/100) against good (55/100) for 34MnB5.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 34MnB5 and P355Q 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.