Steel A48 Class 30 vs A536 120-90-02
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A48 Class 30 and A536 120-90-02 are both steel grades. A536 120-90-02 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) against 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) for A48 Class 30, about 4.4 times as much; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 214 MPa (31 ksi). A536 120-90-02 is the more ductile: elongation 3% versus 0.6% for A48 Class 30, and A536 120-90-02 is harder (302 HB vs 210 HB). A536 120-90-02 is stiffer (172 GPa vs 100 GPa) and A48 Class 30 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous). On the shop floor, A48 Class 30 machines more easily (excellent vs fair), A48 Class 30 welds better (30 vs 18 out of 100), and A48 Class 30 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than A536 120-90-02 (standard, $$).
A48 Class 30Choose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.
A536 120-90-02Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
A48 Class 30 vs A536 120-90-02: 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)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Reduction in Area
Hardness, Rockwell C
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
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
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
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 5 / 100
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)
Modulus of Resilience
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 | A536 120-90-02 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 A536 120-90-02 — frequently asked
Is A536 120-90-02 stronger than A48 Class 30?
Yes. A536 120-90-02 has a typical yield strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) against 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) for A48 Class 30 — about 4.4 times as much. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 214 MPa (31 ksi).
Which is cheaper, A48 Class 30 or A536 120-90-02?
A48 Class 30 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while A536 120-90-02 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 A536 120-90-02?
A48 Class 30. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against fair (35/100) for A536 120-90-02; for welding the order is A48 Class 30 first (poor, 30/100) then A536 120-90-02 (poor, 18/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A48 Class 30 and A536 120-90-02 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.