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Steel A216 WCC vs ZG270-500

Steel · grade comparison

Steel A216 WCC and ZG270-500 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 315 MPa — strength does not separate them. A216 WCC is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 22% for ZG270-500, and A216 WCC is harder (170 HB vs 160 HB). On the shop floor, A216 WCC welds better (excellent vs very good).

A216 WCCChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

A216 WCC vs ZG270-500: properties

A216 WCCZG270-500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

520 MPa75.4 ksi
540 MPa78.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

315 MPa45.7 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

25%
22%

Reduction in Area

42%
33%

Compressive Strength

315 MPa45.7 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Shear Strength

340 MPa49.3 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

80 MPa·√m72.8 ksi·√in
75 MPa·√m68.3 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

42 J31 ft·lbf
27 J19.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

170 HB
160 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

87 HRB
84 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

—
168 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 202 GPa29.3 Msi · Shear Modulus 78 GPa11.3 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 230 MPa33.4 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Liquidus Temperature

1,505°C2,741 °F
1,495°C2,723 °F

Same in both: Density 7.83 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
48 W/m·K27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 425°C797 °F · Min Service Temperature -29°C-20 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 10 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.65 V
-0.61 V

Corrosion Resistance

12 / 100
11 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

60 / 100
58 / 100

Weldability

85 / 100
72 / 100

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
25 / 100

Castability

70 / 100
68 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
45 / 100

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

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

28 MJ/kg12,038 BTU/lb
26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.1 kg CO₂/kg
2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
50 L/kg6 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 85%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

66 kN·m/kg
69 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

246 kJ/m³
223 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.6 mm²/s
13 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 25.8 MN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 11

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 scaleA216 WCCZG270-500

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityA216 WCCZG270-500
Default condition——
Relative cost$$ Standard$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.

A216 WCC vs ZG270-500 — frequently asked

What is the difference between A216 WCC and ZG270-500?

Steel A216 WCC and ZG270-500 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 315 MPa — strength does not separate them. A216 WCC is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 22% for ZG270-500, and A216 WCC is harder (170 HB vs 160 HB).

Which is cheaper, A216 WCC or ZG270-500?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which welds better, A216 WCC or ZG270-500?

A216 WCC. Its weldability rates excellent (85/100) against very good (72/100) for ZG270-500.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A216 WCC and ZG270-500 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.