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Steel A210 vs A285

Steel · grade comparison

Steel A210 and A285 are both steel grades. A210 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for A285, about 20% more. A210 is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 30% for A285. On the shop floor, A210 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than A285 (standard, $$).

A210Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

A210 vs A285: properties

A210A285

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
200 GPa29 Msi

Shear Modulus

80 GPa11.6 Msi
79 GPa11.5 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

470 MPa68.2 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

35%
30%

Reduction in Area

58%
55%

Compressive Strength

300 MPa43.5 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Shear Strength

285 MPa41.3 ksi
290 MPa42.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

215 MPa31.2 ksi
200 MPa29 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in
100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

55 J40.6 ft·lbf
40 J29.5 ft·lbf

Hardness, Vickers

137 HV
—

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Hardness, Brinell 130 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 72 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,460°C2,660 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,500°C2,732 °F
1,515°C2,759 °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

50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
51 W/m·K29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

247 J/g106 BTU/lb
250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 425°C797 °F · Min Service Temperature -29°C-20 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10 % IACS
10.8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in
1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.61 V
-0.62 V

Corrosion Resistance

12 / 100
10 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

62 / 100
68 / 100

Weldability

85 / 100
92 / 100

Formability (cold)

70 / 100
82 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
40 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 65% · Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

29 MJ/kg12,468 BTU/lb
25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.2 kg CO₂/kg
1.9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
30 L/kg3.6 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

60 kN·m/kg
57 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.1 MN·m/kg
25.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

220 kJ/m³
156 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.3 mm²/s
13.8 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 scaleA285A210

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityA210A285
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.

A210 vs A285 — frequently asked

Is A210 stronger than A285?

Yes. A210 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for A285 — about 20% more. Tensile strength is 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) vs 450 MPa (65.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, A210 or A285?

A210 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while A285 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 is easier to machine, A210 or A285?

A285, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 68/100 against 62/100 for A210; for welding the order is A285 first (excellent, 92/100) then A210 (excellent, 85/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A210 and A285 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.