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Steel A283 vs S355J0

Steel · grade comparison

Steel A283 and S355J0 are both steel grades. S355J0 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) for A283, about 65% more; tensile strength follows at 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) vs 420 MPa (60.9 ksi). S355J0 is harder — 160 HB against 120 HB for A283 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. A283 conducts electricity better (10.8 % IACS vs 8.6 % IACS). On the shop floor, A283 forms better (very good vs good).

S355J0Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

A283 vs S355J0: properties

A283S355J0

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
210 GPa30.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

79 GPa11.5 Msi
81 GPa11.7 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

420 MPa60.9 ksi
540 MPa78.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

230 MPa33.4 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Reduction in Area

45%
55%

Compressive Strength

230 MPa33.4 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Shear Strength

270 MPa39.2 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

190 MPa27.6 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

90 MPa·√m81.9 ksi·√in
120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

27 J19.9 ft·lbf
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

120 HB
160 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

68 HRB
84 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

126 HV
168 HV

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Elongation at Break 25%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,510°C2,750 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

51 W/m·K29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
47 W/m·K27.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Min Service Temperature

-20°C-4 °F
0°C32 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 247 J/g106 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10.8 % IACS
8.6 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 µΩ·in
2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.87 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.65 V · Corrosion Resistance 10 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

65 / 100
60 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

70%
58%

Weldability

95 / 100
88 / 100

Formability (cold)

78 / 100
65 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Castability

—
40 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 45 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.9 kg CO₂/kg
2 kg CO₂/kg

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb · Embodied Water 40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

54 kN·m/kg
69 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.5 MN·m/kg
26.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

132 kJ/m³
344 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.8 mm²/s
12.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

9
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 scaleA283S355J0

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityA283S355J0
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionHR—
Relative cost$ Budget$ Budget
Min. machined wall0.8 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µm—
AlCrNYes—
AlTiNYes—
Black OxideYes—
CVD Al2O3Yes—
CVD TiCNYes—
CVD TiNYes—
CerakoteYes—
Chrome PlatingYes—
CrNYes—
DLCYes—
E-CoatingYes—
HVOF CoatingYes—
Hot-Dip GalvanizingYes—
MoS2Yes—
Multilayer CVDYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PTFE CoatingYes—
PaintingYes—

They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.

A283 vs S355J0 — frequently asked

Is S355J0 stronger than A283?

Yes. S355J0 has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) for A283 — about 65% more. Tensile strength is 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) vs 420 MPa (60.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, A283 or S355J0?

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

Which is easier to machine, A283 or S355J0?

A283, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 65/100 against 60/100 for S355J0; for welding the order is A283 first (excellent, 95/100) then S355J0 (excellent, 88/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A283 and S355J0 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.