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Steel 35NiCrMo16 vs A514

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 35NiCrMo16 and A514 are both steel grades. 35NiCrMo16 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) against 760 MPa (110 ksi) for A514, about 51% more; tensile strength follows at 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) vs 800 MPa (116 ksi). In exchange, A514 is the more ductile: elongation 19% versus 11% for 35NiCrMo16, and 35NiCrMo16 is harder (400 HB vs 250 HB). A514 conducts heat better (42 W/m·K vs 34 W/m·K). On the shop floor, A514 machines more easily (fair vs poor), A514 welds better (good vs poor), and A514 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 35NiCrMo16 (premium, $$$).

35NiCrMo16Choose it when strength drives the design.

A514Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

35NiCrMo16 vs A514: properties

35NiCrMo16A514

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

1,350 MPa196 ksi
800 MPa116 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

1,150 MPa167 ksi
760 MPa110 ksi

Elongation at Break

11%
19%

Reduction in Area

45%
50%

Compressive Strength

1,200 MPa174 ksi
760 MPa110 ksi

Shear Strength

810 MPa117 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

640 MPa92.8 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

80 MPa·√m72.8 ksi·√in
120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

45 J33.2 ft·lbf
75 J55.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

400 HB
250 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

43 HRC
24 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

420 HV
262 HV

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
100 HRB

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 205 GPa29.7 Msi · 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
1,425°C2,597 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,490°C2,714 °F
1,510°C2,750 °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

34 W/m·K19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Min Service Temperature

-60°C-76 °F
-45°C-49 °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 Resistivity

3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.8 µΩ·in
2.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.45 µΩ·in

Electrical Conductivity

—
7 % IACS

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

12 / 100
16 / 100

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

—
-0.6 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

28 / 100
38 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
40%

Weldability

15 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

12 / 100
30 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
50 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb
31 MJ/kg13,328 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.4 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

172 kN·m/kg
102 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

3,226 kJ/m³
1,409 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

9.4 mm²/s
11.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

18
14

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.1 MN·m/kg

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 scaleA51435NiCrMo16

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability35NiCrMo16A514
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—Q&T
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$ Standard
Min. machined wall—0.8 mm
Best machined surface—Ra 1.6 µm
AlCrN—Yes
AlTiN—Yes
Black Oxide—Yes
CVD Al2O3—Yes
CVD TiCN—Yes
CVD TiN—Yes
Cerakote—Yes
Chrome Plating—Yes
CrN—Yes
DLC—Yes
E-Coating—Yes
HVOF Coating—Yes
Hot-Dip Galvanizing—Yes
MoS2—Yes
Multilayer CVD—Yes
Nickel Plating—Yes
PTFE Coating—Yes
Painting—Yes

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

35NiCrMo16 vs A514 — frequently asked

Is 35NiCrMo16 stronger than A514?

Yes. 35NiCrMo16 has a typical yield strength of 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) against 760 MPa (110 ksi) for A514 — about 51% more. Tensile strength is 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) vs 800 MPa (116 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 35NiCrMo16 or A514?

A514 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 35NiCrMo16 is premium ($$$). 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, 35NiCrMo16 or A514?

A514. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (28/100) for 35NiCrMo16; for welding the order is A514 first (good, 55/100) then 35NiCrMo16 (poor, 15/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 35NiCrMo16 and A514 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.