Steel A514 vs A572 Gr 50
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A514 and A572 Gr 50 are both steel grades. A514 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 760 MPa (110 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for A572 Gr 50, about 100% more; tensile strength follows at 800 MPa (116 ksi) vs 485 MPa (70.3 ksi). A514 is harder — 250 HB against 150 HB for A572 Gr 50 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. A572 Gr 50 conducts heat better (50 W/m·K vs 42 W/m·K). On the shop floor, A572 Gr 50 machines more easily (good vs fair), A572 Gr 50 welds better (very good vs good), and A572 Gr 50 forms better (good vs poor).
A514Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
A572 Gr 50Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when it will be welded.
A514 vs A572 Gr 50: 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
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, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Reduction in Area 50%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,510°C2,750 °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 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
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)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
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 | A514 | A572 Gr 50 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Q&T | HR |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 38 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, CrN, DLC, E-Coating and 26 more.
A514 vs A572 Gr 50 — frequently asked
Is A514 stronger than A572 Gr 50?
Yes. A514 has a typical yield strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for A572 Gr 50 — about 100% more. Tensile strength is 800 MPa (116 ksi) vs 485 MPa (70.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, A514 or A572 Gr 50?
A572 Gr 50 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while A514 is standard ($$). 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, A514 or A572 Gr 50?
A572 Gr 50. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (38/100) for A514; for welding the order is A572 Gr 50 first (very good, 82/100) then A514 (good, 55/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A514 and A572 Gr 50 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.