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Steel 34MnB5 vs SCM430

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 34MnB5 and SCM430 are both steel grades. SCM430 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 760 MPa (110 ksi) against 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) for 34MnB5, about 81% more; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). SCM430 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 14% for 34MnB5, and SCM430 is harder (270 HB vs 185 HB). On the shop floor, SCM430 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 34MnB5 (standard, $$).

SCM430Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

34MnB5 vs SCM430: properties

34MnB5SCM430

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

210 GPa30.5 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

620 MPa89.9 ksi
900 MPa131 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

420 MPa60.9 ksi
760 MPa110 ksi

Elongation at Break

14%
20%

Reduction in Area

45%
62%

Shear Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
550 MPa79.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

280 MPa40.6 ksi
430 MPa62.4 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

55 MPa·√m50.1 ksi·√in
100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

40 J29.5 ft·lbf
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

185 HB
270 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

89 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

195 HV
285 HV

Compressive Strength

—
770 MPa112 ksi

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
27 HRC

Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,420°C2,588 °F
1,416°C2,581 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,495°C2,723 °F
1,493°C2,719 °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

44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
42.7 W/m·K24.7 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)

12.5 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F
12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Min Service Temperature

-40°C-40 °F
-50°C-58 °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

8 % IACS
7.7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
2.23×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.78 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.6 V
-0.61 V

Corrosion Resistance

11 / 100
14 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

55 / 100
48 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

60%
58%

Formability (cold)

60 / 100
30 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

45 / 100
65 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
60 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
32 MJ/kg13,758 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2 kg CO₂/kg
2.3 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

25%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

79 kN·m/kg
115 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.8 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

420 kJ/m³
1,409 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.9 mm²/s
11.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

10
15

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 scale34MnB5SCM430

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability34MnB5SCM430
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 SCM430 — frequently asked

Is SCM430 stronger than 34MnB5?

Yes. SCM430 has a typical yield strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) against 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) for 34MnB5 — about 81% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 34MnB5 or SCM430?

SCM430 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 is easier to machine, 34MnB5 or SCM430?

34MnB5. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (48/100) for SCM430.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 34MnB5 and SCM430 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.