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Steel A10 vs O1

Steel · grade comparison

Steel A10 and O1 are both steel grades. A10 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for O1, about 13% more. In exchange, O1 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 18% for A10, and A10 is harder (229 HB vs 200 HB). A10 is lighter (7.34 g/cm³ vs 7.85 g/cm³ for O1) and O1 is stiffer (205 GPa vs 190 GPa). On the shop floor, A10 machines more easily (good vs fair).

A10Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

O1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

A10 vs O1: properties

A10O1

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

190 GPa27.6 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

74 GPa10.7 Msi
79 GPa11.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

158 GPa22.9 Msi
160 GPa23.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.28
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

720 MPa104 ksi
690 MPa100 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

450 MPa65.3 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Elongation at Break

18%
25%

Reduction in Area

35%
45%

Compressive Strength

470 MPa68.2 ksi
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Shear Strength

450 MPa65.3 ksi
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

340 MPa49.3 ksi
320 MPa46.4 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

229 HB
200 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

98 HRB
94 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

240 HV
210 HV

Same in both: Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 30 J22.1 ft·lbf

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.34 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³
7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Liquidus Temperature

1,450°C2,642 °F
1,460°C2,660 °F

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

30 W/m·K17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
35 W/m·K20.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F

Min Service Temperature

-40°C-40 °F
-30°C-22 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

3 % IACS
7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

5.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m22.8 µΩ·in
2.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.84 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.6 V · Corrosion Resistance 12 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

68 / 100
45 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

65%
42%

Weldability

15 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
35 / 100

Castability

25 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

35 / 100
45 / 100

Polishability

40 / 100
80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

36 MJ/kg15,477 BTU/lb
32 MJ/kg13,758 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.6 kg CO₂/kg
2.4 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

65 L/kg7.8 gal/lb
55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

35%
40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

98 kN·m/kg
88 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.9 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

533 kJ/m³
390 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

8.9 mm²/s
9.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

9
10

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 scaleO1A10

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityA10O1
CNC machining—Yes
Default condition—Annealed
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
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.

A10 vs O1 — frequently asked

Is A10 stronger than O1?

Yes. A10 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for O1 — about 13% more. Tensile strength is 720 MPa (104 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).

Which is cheaper, A10 or O1?

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

Which is easier to machine, A10 or O1?

A10. Its machinability rates good (68/100) against fair (45/100) for O1; for welding the order is O1 first (poor, 20/100) then A10 (poor, 15/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A10 and O1 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.