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Steel 35# vs ZG55SiMnMo

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 35# and ZG55SiMnMo are both steel grades. ZG55SiMnMo is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) against 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) for 35#, about 3.9 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi). In exchange, 35# is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 5% for ZG55SiMnMo, and ZG55SiMnMo is harder (460 HB vs 160 HB). 35# runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous) and 35# conducts heat better (49 W/m·K vs 38 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 35# machines more easily (good vs poor), 35# welds better (good vs poor), and 35# sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than ZG55SiMnMo (standard, $$).

35#Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

ZG55SiMnMoChoose it when strength drives the design.

35# vs ZG55SiMnMo: properties

35#ZG55SiMnMo

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
1,600 MPa232 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

330 MPa47.9 ksi
1,300 MPa189 ksi

Elongation at Break

22%
5%

Reduction in Area

50%
15%

Shear Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
960 MPa139 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

55 MPa·√m50.1 ksi·√in
45 MPa·√m41 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

60 J44.3 ft·lbf
18 J13.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

160 HB
460 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

83 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

168 HV
480 HV

Compressive Strength

—
1,700 MPa247 ksi

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
47 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
7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,500°C2,732 °F
1,480°C2,696 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

49 W/m·K28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
38 W/m·K22 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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
350°C662 °F

Min Service Temperature

-20°C-4 °F
-30°C-22 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10 % IACS
6.2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in
2.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11 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
12 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

60 / 100
15 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

65%
15%

Weldability

55 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

45 / 100
5 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
60 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

65 / 100
30 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 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

Typical Recycled Content

25%
80%

Same in both: Embodied Water 40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

71 kN·m/kg
205 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.4 MN·m/kg
26.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

263 kJ/m³
4,122 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.1 mm²/s
10.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

11
25

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#ZG55SiMnMo

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability35#ZG55SiMnMo
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 ZG55SiMnMo — frequently asked

Is ZG55SiMnMo stronger than 35#?

Yes. ZG55SiMnMo has a typical yield strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) against 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) for 35# — about 3.9 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 35# or ZG55SiMnMo?

35# is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while ZG55SiMnMo 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 ZG55SiMnMo?

35#. Its machinability rates good (60/100) against poor (15/100) for ZG55SiMnMo; for welding the order is 35# first (good, 55/100) then ZG55SiMnMo (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 35# and ZG55SiMnMo 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.