FabDigitFabDigit

Steel 35# vs A732

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 35# and A732 are both steel grades. A732 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 605 MPa (87.7 ksi) against 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) for 35#, about 83% more; tensile strength follows at 745 MPa (108 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi). In exchange, 35# is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 14% for A732, and A732 is harder (217 HB vs 160 HB). 35# conducts heat better (49 W/m·K vs 42 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 35# sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than A732 (standard, $$).

35#Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

A732Choose it when strength drives the design.

35# vs A732: properties

35#A732

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

207 GPa30 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

560 MPa81.2 ksi
745 MPa108 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

330 MPa47.9 ksi
605 MPa87.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

22%
14%

Reduction in Area

50%
35%

Shear Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
445 MPa64.5 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

55 MPa·√m50.1 ksi·√in
90 MPa·√m81.9 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

60 J44.3 ft·lbf
40 J29.5 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

160 HB
217 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

83 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

168 HV
228 HV

Compressive Strength

—
610 MPa88.5 ksi

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
18 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.

Density

7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.83 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Liquidus Temperature

1,500°C2,732 °F
1,510°C2,750 °F

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

49 W/m·K28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.6 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Min Service Temperature

-20°C-4 °F
-30°C-22 °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

10 % IACS
8.6 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in
2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.87 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.65 V
-0.61 V

Corrosion Resistance

11 / 100
12 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

60 / 100
55 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

65%
60%

Formability (cold)

45 / 100
10 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
88 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

65 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
68 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

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

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.9 kg CO₂/kg
2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

25%
75%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

71 kN·m/kg
95 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.4 MN·m/kg
26.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

263 kJ/m³
893 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.1 mm²/s
11.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

11
13

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#A732

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability35#A732
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionHR—
Relative cost$ Budget$$ Standard
Min. machined wall0.8 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µm—
AlCrNYes—
AlTiNYes—
Black OxideYes—
CVD Al2O3Yes—
CVD TiCNYes—
CVD TiNYes—
CerakoteYes—
Chrome PlatingYes—
CrNYes—
DLCYes—
E-CoatingYes—
HVOF CoatingYes—
Hot-Dip GalvanizingYes—
MoS2Yes—
Multilayer CVDYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PTFE CoatingYes—
PaintingYes—

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

35# vs A732 — frequently asked

Is A732 stronger than 35#?

Yes. A732 has a typical yield strength of 605 MPa (87.7 ksi) against 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) for 35# — about 83% more. Tensile strength is 745 MPa (108 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 35# or A732?

35# is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while A732 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, 35# or A732?

35#, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 60/100 against 55/100 for A732.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 35# and A732 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.