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Steel A220 M5003 vs A48 Class 30

Steel · grade comparison

Steel A220 M5003 and A48 Class 30 are both steel grades. A220 M5003 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) for A48 Class 30, about 153% more; tensile strength follows at 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 214 MPa (31 ksi). A220 M5003 is the more ductile: elongation 4% versus 0.6% for A48 Class 30, and A48 Class 30 is harder (210 HB vs 197 HB). A220 M5003 is stiffer (172 GPa vs 100 GPa) and A220 M5003 conducts electricity better (5.7 % IACS vs 2.2 % IACS). On the shop floor, A48 Class 30 machines more easily (excellent vs good) and A48 Class 30 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than A220 M5003 (standard, $$).

A220 M5003Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

A48 Class 30Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.

A220 M5003 vs A48 Class 30: properties

A220 M5003A48 Class 30

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

172 GPa24.9 Msi
100 GPa14.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

68 GPa9.9 Msi
40 GPa5.8 Msi

Bulk Modulus

120 GPa17.4 Msi
69 GPa10 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
214 MPa31 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

380 MPa55.1 ksi
150 MPa21.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

4%
0.6%

Compressive Strength

1,200 MPa174 ksi
752 MPa109 ksi

Shear Strength

460 MPa66.7 ksi
276 MPa40 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

240 MPa34.8 ksi
97 MPa14.1 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

8 J5.9 ft·lbf
3 J2.2 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

197 HB
210 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

92 HRB
95 HRB

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
13 MPa·√m11.8 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

—
195 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.26

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.3 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³
7.15 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,120°C2,048 °F
1,150°C2,102 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,230°C2,246 °F
1,210°C2,210 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

47 W/m·K27.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F
460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
11 µm/m·K6.1 µin/in·°F

Min Service Temperature

-20°C-4 °F
-30°C-22 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 220 J/g94.6 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

5.7 % IACS
2.2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.8 µΩ·in
1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m39.4 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.62 V
-0.61 V

Corrosion Resistance

16 / 100
15 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

65 / 100
85 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

80%
100%

Weldability

25 / 100
30 / 100

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
5 / 100

Castability

70 / 100
92 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

50 / 100
40 / 100

Polishability

50 / 100
35 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

20 MJ/kg8,598 BTU/lb
18 MJ/kg7,739 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.7 kg CO₂/kg
1.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

25 L/kg3 gal/lb
40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 90%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

75 kN·m/kg
30 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

23.6 MN·m/kg
14 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

420 kJ/m³
113 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

12.9 mm²/s
15.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

13
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 scaleA48 Class 30A220 M5003

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityA220 M5003A48 Class 30
Default condition——
Relative cost$$ Standard$ Budget
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.

A220 M5003 vs A48 Class 30 — frequently asked

Is A220 M5003 stronger than A48 Class 30?

Yes. A220 M5003 has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) for A48 Class 30 — about 153% more. Tensile strength is 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 214 MPa (31 ksi).

Which is cheaper, A220 M5003 or A48 Class 30?

A48 Class 30 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while A220 M5003 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, A220 M5003 or A48 Class 30?

A48 Class 30. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against good (65/100) for A220 M5003; for welding the order is A48 Class 30 first (poor, 30/100) then A220 M5003 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A220 M5003 and A48 Class 30 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.