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Steel 35# vs GX15CrMo5

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 35# and GX15CrMo5 are both steel grades. GX15CrMo5 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) for 35#, about 45% more; tensile strength follows at 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi). GX15CrMo5 is harder — 200 HB against 160 HB for 35# — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. GX15CrMo5 runs hotter in service (620°C vs 400°C continuous) and 35# conducts heat better (49 W/m·K vs 36 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 35# machines more easily (good vs fair), 35# welds better (good vs fair), and 35# forms better (fair vs not recommended).

35#Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when it will be welded.

GX15CrMo5Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

35# vs GX15CrMo5: properties

35#GX15CrMo5

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

207 GPa30 Msi
213 GPa30.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

80 GPa11.6 Msi
82 GPa11.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

160 GPa23.2 Msi
165 GPa23.9 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

560 MPa81.2 ksi
680 MPa98.6 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

330 MPa47.9 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Reduction in Area

50%
45%

Shear Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
410 MPa59.5 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
280 MPa40.6 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

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

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

60 J44.3 ft·lbf
45 J33.2 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

160 HB
200 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

83 HRB
93 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

168 HV
210 HV

Compressive Strength

—
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
19 HRC

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Elongation at Break 22%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,450°C2,642 °F

Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 1,500°C2,732 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

49 W/m·K28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
36 W/m·K20.8 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
11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
620°C1,148 °F

Min Service Temperature

-20°C-4 °F
-30°C-22 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10 % IACS
3.8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in
4.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m17.7 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.65 V
-0.6 V

Corrosion Resistance

11 / 100
25 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

60 / 100
45 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

65%
55%

Weldability

55 / 100
40 / 100

Formability (cold)

45 / 100
10 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
65 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

65 / 100
40 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 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)

1.9 kg CO₂/kg
2.5 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
88 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.4 MN·m/kg
27.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

263 kJ/m³
541 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.1 mm²/s
9.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

11
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 scale35#GX15CrMo5

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability35#GX15CrMo5
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 GX15CrMo5 — frequently asked

Is GX15CrMo5 stronger than 35#?

Yes. GX15CrMo5 has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) for 35# — about 45% more. Tensile strength is 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 35# or GX15CrMo5?

35# is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while GX15CrMo5 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 GX15CrMo5?

35#. Its machinability rates good (60/100) against fair (45/100) for GX15CrMo5; for welding the order is 35# first (good, 55/100) then GX15CrMo5 (fair, 40/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 35# and GX15CrMo5 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.