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Steel 3J53 vs FeSi75

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 3J53 and FeSi75 are both steel grades. 3J53 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 760 MPa (110 ksi) against 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) for FeSi75, about 6.3 times as much. 3J53 is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 0% for FeSi75, and FeSi75 is harder (900 HV vs 180 HV). FeSi75 is lighter (3 g/cm³ vs 8.14 g/cm³ for 3J53) and FeSi75 runs hotter in service (800°C vs 150°C continuous). On the shop floor, 3J53 machines more easily (fair vs not recommended), 3J53 welds better (fair vs not recommended), and FeSi75 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 3J53 (high, $$$$).

3J53Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

FeSi75Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

3J53 vs FeSi75: properties

3J53FeSi75

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

155 GPa22.5 Msi
160 GPa23.2 Msi

Shear Modulus

63 GPa9.1 Msi
—

Bulk Modulus

145 GPa21 Msi
—

Poisson's Ratio

0.31
—

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

760 MPa110 ksi
120 MPa17.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

330 MPa47.9 ksi
—

Elongation at Break

35%
0%

Reduction in Area

55%
0%

Compressive Strength

340 MPa49.3 ksi
800 MPa116 ksi

Shear Strength

480 MPa69.6 ksi
90 MPa13.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

90 J66.4 ft·lbf
1 J0.74 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

172 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

88 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

180 HV
900 HV

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
2 MPa·√m1.8 ksi·√in

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
67 HRC

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.14 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
3 g/cm³0.11 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,210°C2,210 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,450°C2,642 °F
1,330°C2,426 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

12.6 W/m·K7.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
12 W/m·K6.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F
700 J/kg·K0.17 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

7.9 µm/m·K4.4 µin/in·°F
11 µm/m·K6.1 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

150°C302 °F
800°C1,472 °F

Min Service Temperature

-50°C-58 °F
—

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
1,150 J/g494 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.2 % IACS
0.29 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.5 µΩ·in
6×10⁻⁶ Ω·m236 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.35 V
—

Corrosion Resistance

40 / 100
55 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

35 / 100
3 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
3%

Weldability

50 / 100
3 / 100

Formability (cold)

75 / 100
1 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
—

Polishability

65 / 100
—

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

130 MJ/kg55,890 BTU/lb
65 MJ/kg27,945 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

9 kg CO₂/kg
5.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

220 L/kg26.4 gal/lb
—

Typical Recycled Content

20%
2%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

93 kN·m/kg
40 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

19 MN·m/kg
53.3 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

3.1 mm²/s
5.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

8
1

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 scale3J53

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability3J53FeSi75
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$ Budget
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.

3J53 vs FeSi75 — frequently asked

Is 3J53 stronger than FeSi75?

Yes. 3J53 has a typical tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) against 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) for FeSi75 — about 6.3 times as much.

Which is cheaper, 3J53 or FeSi75?

FeSi75 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 3J53 is high ($$$$). 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, 3J53 or FeSi75?

3J53. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against not recommended (3/100) for FeSi75; for welding the order is 3J53 first (fair, 50/100) then FeSi75 (not recommended, 3/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 3J53 and FeSi75 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.