Steel A48 Class 20 vs A536 65-45-12
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A48 Class 20 and A536 65-45-12 are both steel grades. A536 65-45-12 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 152 MPa (22 ksi) for A48 Class 20, about 3.2 times as much. A536 65-45-12 is the more ductile: elongation 14% versus 0.5% for A48 Class 20, and A536 65-45-12 is harder (170 HB vs 156 HB). A536 65-45-12 is stiffer (169 GPa vs 80 GPa) and A48 Class 20 conducts heat better (53 W/m·K vs 35 W/m·K). On the shop floor, A48 Class 20 machines more easily (excellent vs good), A536 65-45-12 welds better (fair vs poor), and A48 Class 20 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than A536 65-45-12 (standard, $$).
A48 Class 20Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.
A536 65-45-12Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
A48 Class 20 vs A536 65-45-12: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Reduction in Area
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.1 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,150°C2,102 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 220 J/g94.6 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 350°C662 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.61 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 85%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | A48 Class 20 | A536 65-45-12 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ 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.
A48 Class 20 vs A536 65-45-12 — frequently asked
Is A536 65-45-12 stronger than A48 Class 20?
Yes. A536 65-45-12 has a typical tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 152 MPa (22 ksi) for A48 Class 20 — about 3.2 times as much.
Which is cheaper, A48 Class 20 or A536 65-45-12?
A48 Class 20 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while A536 65-45-12 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, A48 Class 20 or A536 65-45-12?
A48 Class 20. Its machinability rates excellent (90/100) against good (68/100) for A536 65-45-12; for welding the order is A536 65-45-12 first (fair, 35/100) then A48 Class 20 (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A48 Class 20 and A536 65-45-12 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.