Steel A11 vs CPM 3V
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A11 and CPM 3V are both steel grades, both tool steel. Both yield at about 600 MPa — strength does not separate them. CPM 3V is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 8% for A11, and A11 is harder (269 HB vs 255 HB). On the shop floor, CPM 3V machines more easily (30 vs 20 out of 100), CPM 3V welds better (25 vs 15 out of 100), and CPM 3V sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than A11 (specialty, $$$$$).
CPM 3VChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
A11 vs CPM 3V: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 900 MPa131 ksi · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 600 MPa87 ksi · Shear Strength 550 MPa79.8 ksi · Hardness, Rockwell B 103 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 20 / 100
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)
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 121 kN·m/kg
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 | CPM 3V |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Annealed | Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining. 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.
A11 vs CPM 3V — frequently asked
What is the difference between A11 and CPM 3V?
Steel A11 and CPM 3V are both steel grades, both tool steel. Both yield at about 600 MPa — strength does not separate them. CPM 3V is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 8% for A11, and A11 is harder (269 HB vs 255 HB).
Which is cheaper, A11 or CPM 3V?
CPM 3V is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium 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 CPM 3V?
CPM 3V, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 20/100 for A11; for welding the order is CPM 3V first (poor, 25/100) then A11 (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A11 and CPM 3V 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.