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Steel A106 Grade B vs P355GH

Steel · grade comparison

Steel A106 Grade B and P355GH are both steel grades. P355GH is the stronger of the two: yield strength 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) against 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) for A106 Grade B, about 33% more; tensile strength follows at 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi). In exchange, A106 Grade B is the more ductile: elongation 32% versus 24% for P355GH, and P355GH is harder (165 HB vs 143 HB). A106 Grade B runs hotter in service (425°C vs 380°C continuous) and A106 Grade B conducts electricity better (10 % IACS vs 8.2 % IACS). On the shop floor, A106 Grade B sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than P355GH (standard, $$).

A106 Grade BChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

P355GHChoose it when strength drives the design.

A106 Grade B vs P355GH: properties

A106 Grade BP355GH

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
210 GPa30.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

79 GPa11.5 Msi
81 GPa11.7 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

480 MPa69.6 ksi
550 MPa79.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

290 MPa42.1 ksi
385 MPa55.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

32%
24%

Reduction in Area

55%
50%

Compressive Strength

290 MPa42.1 ksi
385 MPa55.8 ksi

Shear Strength

330 MPa47.9 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

210 MPa30.5 ksi
245 MPa35.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

85 MPa·√m77.4 ksi·√in
100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

45 J33.2 ft·lbf
70 J51.6 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

143 HB
165 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

78 HRB
85 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

150 HV
173 HV

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,470°C2,678 °F
1,460°C2,660 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,520°C2,768 °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

51 W/m·K29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
48 W/m·K27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

247 J/g106 BTU/lb
260 J/g112 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

425°C797 °F
380°C716 °F

Min Service Temperature

-29°C-20 °F
-10°C14 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10 % IACS
8.2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in
2.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.27 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.65 V
-0.62 V

Corrosion Resistance

10 / 100
12 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

60 / 100
58 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

65%
62%

Weldability

92 / 100
85 / 100

Formability (cold)

70 / 100
64 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
50 / 100

Polishability

40 / 100
45 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2 kg CO₂/kg
1.9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb · Typical Recycled Content 25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

61 kN·m/kg
70 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.5 MN·m/kg
26.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

210 kJ/m³
353 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.8 mm²/s
13.3 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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 scaleP355GHA106 Grade B

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityA106 Grade BP355GH
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.

A106 Grade B vs P355GH — frequently asked

Is P355GH stronger than A106 Grade B?

Yes. P355GH has a typical yield strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) against 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) for A106 Grade B — about 33% more. Tensile strength is 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi).

Which is cheaper, A106 Grade B or P355GH?

A106 Grade B is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while P355GH 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, A106 Grade B or P355GH?

A106 Grade B. Its weldability rates excellent (92/100) against excellent (85/100) for P355GH.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A106 Grade B and P355GH 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.