FabDigitFabDigit

Steel A182 F122 vs AR500

Steel · grade comparison

Steel A182 F122 and AR500 are both steel grades. AR500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) for A182 F122, about 176% more; tensile strength follows at 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi). In exchange, A182 F122 is the more ductile: elongation 23% versus 9% for AR500, and AR500 is harder (500 HB vs 215 HB). A182 F122 runs hotter in service (620°C vs 250°C continuous) and AR500 conducts heat better (40 W/m·K vs 26 W/m·K). On the shop floor, A182 F122 machines more easily (fair vs not recommended) and A182 F122 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than AR500 (high, $$$$).

A182 F122Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

AR500Choose it when strength drives the design.

A182 F122 vs AR500: properties

A182 F122AR500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

213 GPa30.9 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

82 GPa11.9 Msi
80 GPa11.6 Msi

Bulk Modulus

168 GPa24.4 Msi
160 GPa23.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

690 MPa100 ksi
1,650 MPa239 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

490 MPa71.1 ksi
1,350 MPa196 ksi

Elongation at Break

23%
9%

Reduction in Area

62%
30%

Compressive Strength

500 MPa72.5 ksi
1,400 MPa203 ksi

Shear Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
1,000 MPa145 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

320 MPa46.4 ksi
700 MPa102 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in
50 MPa·√m45.5 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

70 J51.6 ft·lbf
35 J25.8 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

215 HB
500 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

18 HRC
50 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

225 HV
525 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Liquidus Temperature

1,490°C2,714 °F
1,500°C2,732 °F

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

26 W/m·K15 BTU/hr·ft·°F
40 W/m·K23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

10.5 µm/m·K5.8 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

620°C1,148 °F
250°C482 °F

Min Service Temperature

-30°C-22 °F
-40°C-40 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.9 % IACS
7.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 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)

-0.35 V
-0.62 V

Corrosion Resistance

35 / 100
13 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
12 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

45%
10%

Weldability

40 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

25 / 100
15 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

30 / 100
—

Polishability

60 / 100
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb
30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.6 kg CO₂/kg
2.3 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

70 L/kg8.4 gal/lb
55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

89 kN·m/kg
210 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

27.5 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

564 kJ/m³
4,445 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

7.1 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 F122

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityA182 F122AR500
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—Q&T
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$$ 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 F122 vs AR500 — frequently asked

Is AR500 stronger than A182 F122?

Yes. AR500 has a typical yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) for A182 F122 — about 176% more. Tensile strength is 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).

Which is cheaper, A182 F122 or AR500?

A182 F122 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium 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 F122 or AR500?

A182 F122. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against not recommended (12/100) for AR500; for welding the order is AR500 first (fair, 45/100) then A182 F122 (fair, 40/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A182 F122 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.