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Steel 35# vs WC1

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 35# and WC1 are both steel grades. 35# is the stronger of the two: yield strength 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) for WC1, about 8% more; tensile strength follows at 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi). In exchange, WC1 is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 22% for 35#. WC1 runs hotter in service (455°C vs 400°C continuous) and 35# conducts heat better (49 W/m·K vs 42 W/m·K). On the shop floor, WC1 welds better (very good vs good) and 35# sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than WC1 (standard, $$).

35#Choose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.

WC1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

35# vs WC1: properties

35#WC1

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
520 MPa75.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

330 MPa47.9 ksi
305 MPa44.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

22%
28%

Reduction in Area

50%
48%

Shear Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
210 MPa30.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

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

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

60 J44.3 ft·lbf
50 J36.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell B

83 HRB
84 HRB

Compressive Strength

—
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Hardness, Brinell 160 HB · Hardness, Vickers 168 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Liquidus Temperature

1,500°C2,732 °F
1,505°C2,741 °F

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · 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
12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
455°C851 °F

Min Service Temperature

-20°C-4 °F
-29°C-20 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10 % IACS
8.5 % 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
58 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

65%
60%

Weldability

55 / 100
70 / 100

Formability (cold)

45 / 100
20 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
70 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

65 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
50 / 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
2.1 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

25%
80%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

71 kN·m/kg
66 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.4 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

263 kJ/m³
227 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.1 mm²/s
11.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

11
9

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#WC1

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability35#WC1
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 WC1 — frequently asked

Is 35# stronger than WC1?

Yes. 35# has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) for WC1 — about 8% more. Tensile strength is 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 35# or WC1?

35# is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while WC1 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, 35# or WC1?

WC1. Its weldability rates very good (70/100) against good (55/100) for 35#.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 35# and WC1 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.