Steel A11 vs Böhler S390
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A11 and Böhler S390 are both steel grades. Böhler S390 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 700 MPa (102 ksi) against 600 MPa (87 ksi) for A11, about 17% more; tensile strength follows at 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi). Böhler S390 is the more ductile: elongation 10% versus 8% for A11, and Böhler S390 is harder (300 HB vs 269 HB). A11 is lighter (7.41 g/cm³ vs 8 g/cm³ for Böhler S390) and Böhler S390 runs hotter in service (500°C vs 425°C continuous). On the shop floor, Böhler S390 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than A11 (specialty, $$$$$).
A11Choose it when weight is the constraint.
Böhler S390Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
A11 vs Böhler S390: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Bulk Modulus
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Reduction in Area 20%
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
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 25%
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 | A11 | Böhler S390 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Annealed | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| AlCrN | Yes | — |
| AlTiN | Yes | — |
| Black Oxide | Yes | — |
| CVD Al2O3 | Yes | — |
| CVD TiCN | Yes | — |
| CVD TiN | Yes | — |
| Cerakote | Yes | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| CrN | Yes | — |
| DLC | Yes | — |
| E-Coating | Yes | — |
| HVOF Coating | Yes | — |
| Hot-Dip Galvanizing | Yes | — |
| MoS2 | Yes | — |
| Multilayer CVD | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| PTFE Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
A11 vs Böhler S390 — frequently asked
Is Böhler S390 stronger than A11?
Yes. Böhler S390 has a typical yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) against 600 MPa (87 ksi) for A11 — about 17% more. Tensile strength is 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi).
Which is cheaper, A11 or Böhler S390?
Böhler S390 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while A11 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, A11 or Böhler S390?
Böhler S390, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 25/100 against 20/100 for A11; for welding the order is Böhler S390 first (poor, 20/100) then A11 (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A11 and Böhler S390 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.