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Steel A372 Gr E vs A514

Steel · grade comparison

Steel A372 Gr E and A514 are both steel grades. A514 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 760 MPa (110 ksi) against 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) for A372 Gr E, about 48% more; tensile strength follows at 800 MPa (116 ksi) vs 725 MPa (105 ksi). A514 is harder — 250 HB against 217 HB for A372 Gr E — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. A372 Gr E conducts electricity better (8 % IACS vs 7 % IACS). On the shop floor, A372 Gr E machines more easily (good vs fair), A514 welds better (good vs fair), and A372 Gr E sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than A514 (standard, $$).

A372 Gr EChoose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.

A514Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

A372 Gr E vs A514: properties

A372 Gr EA514

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

725 MPa105 ksi
800 MPa116 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

515 MPa74.7 ksi
760 MPa110 ksi

Elongation at Break

20%
19%

Compressive Strength

520 MPa75.4 ksi
760 MPa110 ksi

Shear Strength

435 MPa63.1 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

340 MPa49.3 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

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

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

55 J40.6 ft·lbf
75 J55.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

217 HB
250 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

96 HRB
100 HRB

Hardness, Rockwell C

20 HRC
24 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

228 HV
262 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 205 GPa29.7 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Reduction in Area 50%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Liquidus Temperature

1,500°C2,732 °F
1,510°C2,750 °F

Same in both: Density 7.85 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 Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Min Service Temperature

-30°C-22 °F
-45°C-49 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

8 % IACS
7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
2.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.45 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.62 V
-0.6 V

Corrosion Resistance

13 / 100
16 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

55 / 100
38 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

58%
40%

Weldability

45 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

45 / 100
40 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
50 / 100

Same in both: Formability (cold) 30 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb
31 MJ/kg13,328 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.3 kg CO₂/kg
2.4 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

25%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

92 kN·m/kg
102 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

647 kJ/m³
1,409 kJ/m³

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

12
14

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.1 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 11.4 mm²/s

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 scaleA514A372 Gr E

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityA372 Gr EA514
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—Q&T
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.

A372 Gr E vs A514 — frequently asked

Is A514 stronger than A372 Gr E?

Yes. A514 has a typical yield strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) against 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) for A372 Gr E — about 48% more. Tensile strength is 800 MPa (116 ksi) vs 725 MPa (105 ksi).

Which is cheaper, A372 Gr E or A514?

A372 Gr E is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while A514 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, A372 Gr E or A514?

A372 Gr E. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (38/100) for A514; for welding the order is A514 first (good, 55/100) then A372 Gr E (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A372 Gr E and A514 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.