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Steel 65Mn vs 9260

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 65Mn and 9260 are both steel grades, both spring steel. Both yield at about 440 MPa — strength does not separate them. 9260 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 16% for 65Mn. 65Mn runs hotter in service (350°C vs 250°C continuous) and 65Mn conducts electricity better (8.5 % IACS vs 6.6 % IACS).

65MnChoose it when the part sees heat.

9260Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

65Mn vs 9260: properties

65Mn9260

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

206 GPa29.9 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

79 GPa11.5 Msi
80 GPa11.6 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

760 MPa110 ksi
770 MPa112 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

440 MPa63.8 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

16%
20%

Reduction in Area

40%
42%

Shear Strength

480 MPa69.6 ksi
500 MPa72.5 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

330 MPa47.9 ksi
370 MPa53.7 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

215 HB
220 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

95 HRB
97 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

225 HV
230 HV

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 20 J14.8 ft·lbf

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Liquidus Temperature

1,480°C2,696 °F
1,465°C2,669 °F

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

45 W/m·K26 BTU/hr·ft·°F
43 W/m·K24.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.8 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F
11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

350°C662 °F
250°C482 °F

Min Service Temperature

-30°C-22 °F
-40°C-40 °F

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

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

8.5 % IACS
6.6 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.87 µΩ·in
2.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m10.2 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.61 V
-0.6 V

Corrosion Resistance

10 / 100
11 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

50 / 100
45 / 100

Weldability

25 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

50 / 100
45 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
35 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 55% · Castability 30 / 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

Embodied Water

40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

97 kN·m/kg
98 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.2 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

470 kJ/m³
494 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

12.2 mm²/s
11.5 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 14

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 scale65Mn9260

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability65Mn9260
Default conditionAnnealedAnnealed
Relative cost$$ Standard$$ Standard
Min. machined wall0.8 mm0.8 mm
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µmRa 1.6 µm

Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 38 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, CrN, DLC, E-Coating and 26 more.

65Mn vs 9260 — frequently asked

What is the difference between 65Mn and 9260?

Steel 65Mn and 9260 are both steel grades, both spring steel. Both yield at about 440 MPa — strength does not separate them. 9260 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 16% for 65Mn.

Which is cheaper, 65Mn or 9260?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, 65Mn or 9260?

65Mn, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 50/100 against 45/100 for 9260; for welding the order is 65Mn first (poor, 25/100) then 9260 (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 65Mn and 9260 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.