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Steel A182 F12 Cl.1 vs AR500

Steel · grade comparison

Steel A182 F12 Cl.1 and AR500 are both steel grades. AR500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) for A182 F12 Cl.1, about 5.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) vs 460 MPa (66.7 ksi). In exchange, A182 F12 Cl.1 is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 9% for AR500, and AR500 is harder (500 HB vs 140 HB). A182 F12 Cl.1 runs hotter in service (550°C vs 250°C continuous). On the shop floor, A182 F12 Cl.1 machines more easily (good vs not recommended), A182 F12 Cl.1 welds better (good vs fair), and A182 F12 Cl.1 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than AR500 (high, $$$$).

A182 F12 Cl.1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

AR500Choose it when strength drives the design.

A182 F12 Cl.1 vs AR500: properties

A182 F12 Cl.1AR500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

207 GPa30 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

460 MPa66.7 ksi
1,650 MPa239 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

265 MPa38.4 ksi
1,350 MPa196 ksi

Elongation at Break

30%
9%

Reduction in Area

62%
30%

Compressive Strength

265 MPa38.4 ksi
1,400 MPa203 ksi

Shear Strength

290 MPa42.1 ksi
1,000 MPa145 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

215 MPa31.2 ksi
700 MPa102 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

150 MPa·√m137 ksi·√in
50 MPa·√m45.5 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

100 J73.8 ft·lbf
35 J25.8 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

140 HB
500 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

76 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

147 HV
525 HV

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
50 HRC

Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Liquidus Temperature 1,500°C2,732 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
40 W/m·K23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

550°C1,022 °F
250°C482 °F

Min Service Temperature

-29°C-20 °F
-40°C-40 °F

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

7.8 % IACS
7.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
2.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.06 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.6 V
-0.62 V

Corrosion Resistance

18 / 100
13 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

60 / 100
12 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

65%
10%

Weldability

62 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

60 / 100
15 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
—

Same in both: Polishability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Water

60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
25%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.3 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

59 kN·m/kg
210 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.4 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

170 kJ/m³
4,445 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.6 mm²/s
10.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

8
27

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 scaleAR500A182 F12 Cl.1

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityA182 F12 Cl.1AR500
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—Q&T
Relative cost$ Budget$$$$ 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.

A182 F12 Cl.1 vs AR500 — frequently asked

Is AR500 stronger than A182 F12 Cl.1?

Yes. AR500 has a typical yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) for A182 F12 Cl.1 — about 5.1 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) vs 460 MPa (66.7 ksi).

Which is cheaper, A182 F12 Cl.1 or AR500?

A182 F12 Cl.1 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while AR500 is high ($$$$). 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, A182 F12 Cl.1 or AR500?

A182 F12 Cl.1. Its machinability rates good (60/100) against not recommended (12/100) for AR500; for welding the order is A182 F12 Cl.1 first (good, 62/100) then AR500 (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A182 F12 Cl.1 and AR500 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.