Steel 50W470 vs Alloy 79
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 50W470 and Alloy 79 are both steel grades. 50W470 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) for Alloy 79, about 15% more. In exchange, Alloy 79 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 30% for 50W470, and 50W470 is harder (152 HB vs 120 HB). 50W470 is lighter (7.7 g/cm³ vs 8.74 g/cm³ for Alloy 79) and Alloy 79 is stiffer (205 GPa vs 190 GPa). On the shop floor, 50W470 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and 50W470 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Alloy 79 (high, $$$$).
50W470Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Alloy 79Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
50W470 vs Alloy 79: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Reduction in Area
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Latent Heat of Fusion
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Brazeability / Solderability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 25%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 50W470 | Alloy 79 |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Final Annealed | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Black Oxide | Yes | — |
| Cerakote | Yes | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| E-Coating | Yes | — |
| Hot-Dip Galvanizing | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| PTFE Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Powder Coating | Yes | — |
| Tin Plating | Yes | — |
| Zinc Plating | Yes | — |
| Zinc-Flake (Dip-Spin) Coating | Yes | — |
| Zinc-Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
50W470 vs Alloy 79 — frequently asked
Is 50W470 stronger than Alloy 79?
Yes. 50W470 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) for Alloy 79 — about 15% more. Tensile strength is 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 50W470 or Alloy 79?
50W470 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Alloy 79 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, 50W470 or Alloy 79?
50W470. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (32/100) for Alloy 79; for welding the order is Alloy 79 first (good, 60/100) then 50W470 (good, 55/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 50W470 and Alloy 79 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.