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Steel 8615 vs SCM415

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 8615 and SCM415 are both steel grades. SCM415 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for 8615, about 19% more; tensile strength follows at 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) vs 585 MPa (84.8 ksi). In exchange, 8615 is the more ductile: elongation 27% versus 22% for SCM415. SCM415 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, 8615 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than SCM415 (standard, $$).

8615Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

SCM415Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

8615 vs SCM415: properties

8615SCM415

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
206 GPa29.9 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

585 MPa84.8 ksi
640 MPa92.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

360 MPa52.2 ksi
430 MPa62.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

27%
22%

Compressive Strength

360 MPa52.2 ksi
430 MPa62.4 ksi

Shear Strength

380 MPa55.1 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

270 MPa39.2 ksi
290 MPa42.1 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

95 MPa·√m86.5 ksi·√in
90 MPa·√m81.9 ksi·√in

Hardness, Brinell

174 HB
180 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

88 HRB
89 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

183 HV
190 HV

Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Reduction in Area 55% · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 55 J40.6 ft·lbf

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,420°C2,588 °F
1,430°C2,606 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,500°C2,732 °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

46 W/m·K26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
400°C752 °F

Min Service Temperature

-40°C-40 °F
-50°C-58 °F

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

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 7.8 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.6 V
-0.61 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 12 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

62 / 100
58 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

62%
60%

Weldability

60 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
60 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

70 / 100
65 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb
27 MJ/kg11,608 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
50 L/kg6 gal/lb

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.1 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

75 kN·m/kg
82 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.1 MN·m/kg
26.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

316 kJ/m³
449 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

12.3 mm²/s
11.9 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 11

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 scaleSCM4158615

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability8615SCM415
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—HR
Relative cost$ Budget$$ 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.

8615 vs SCM415 — frequently asked

Is SCM415 stronger than 8615?

Yes. SCM415 has a typical yield strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for 8615 — about 19% more. Tensile strength is 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) vs 585 MPa (84.8 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 8615 or SCM415?

8615 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while SCM415 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 welds better, 8615 or SCM415?

8615. Its weldability rates good (60/100) against good (55/100) for SCM415.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 8615 and SCM415 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.