Steel A48 Class 30 vs A532 Class I Type A
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A48 Class 30 and A532 Class I Type A are both steel grades. A532 Class I Type A is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 214 MPa (31 ksi) for A48 Class 30, about 87% more. In exchange, A48 Class 30 is the more ductile: elongation 0.6% versus 0% for A532 Class I Type A, and A532 Class I Type A is harder (575 HB vs 210 HB). A48 Class 30 is lighter (7.15 g/cm³ vs 7.65 g/cm³ for A532 Class I Type A) and A532 Class I Type A is stiffer (175 GPa vs 100 GPa). On the shop floor, A48 Class 30 machines more easily (excellent vs not recommended), A48 Class 30 welds better (poor vs not recommended), and A48 Class 30 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than A532 Class I Type A (standard, $$).
A48 Class 30Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
A532 Class I Type AChoose it when strength drives the design.
A48 Class 30 vs A532 Class I Type A: 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.
A48 Class 30A532 Class I Type A
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Reduction in Area
Hardness, Rockwell C
Same in both: Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 3 J2.2 ft·lbf
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,150°C2,102 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
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
Typical Recycled Content
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 30 | A532 Class I Type A |
|---|---|---|
| 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 30 vs A532 Class I Type A — frequently asked
Is A532 Class I Type A stronger than A48 Class 30?
Yes. A532 Class I Type A has a typical tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 214 MPa (31 ksi) for A48 Class 30 — about 87% more.
Which is cheaper, A48 Class 30 or A532 Class I Type A?
A48 Class 30 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while A532 Class I Type A 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 30 or A532 Class I Type A?
A48 Class 30. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against not recommended (3/100) for A532 Class I Type A; for welding the order is A48 Class 30 first (poor, 30/100) then A532 Class I Type A (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A48 Class 30 and A532 Class I Type A 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.