Steel A48 Class 40 vs G3500
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A48 Class 40 and G3500 are both steel grades. A48 Class 40 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) against 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) for G3500, about 25% more; tensile strength follows at 293 MPa (42.5 ksi) vs 250 MPa (36.3 ksi). A48 Class 40 is the more ductile: elongation 0.6% versus 0.5% for G3500. A48 Class 40 is stiffer (125 GPa vs 110 GPa). On the shop floor, G3500 machines more easily (very good vs good).
A48 Class 40Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
G3500Choose it when the part is machined in volume.
A48 Class 40 vs G3500: 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
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
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.26
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 Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 46 W/m·K26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F · 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) 400°C752 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.2 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.5 µΩ·in
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
Weldability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 65% · Formability (cold) 3 / 100 · Castability 95 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 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
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 9
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 40 | G3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $ Budget |
| 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 40 vs G3500 — frequently asked
Is A48 Class 40 stronger than G3500?
Yes. A48 Class 40 has a typical yield strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) against 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) for G3500 — about 25% more. Tensile strength is 293 MPa (42.5 ksi) vs 250 MPa (36.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, A48 Class 40 or G3500?
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, A48 Class 40 or G3500?
G3500. Its machinability rates very good (78/100) against good (65/100) for A48 Class 40; for welding the order is G3500 first (poor, 25/100) then A48 Class 40 (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A48 Class 40 and G3500 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.