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Steel A536 100-70-03 vs A536 120-90-02

Steel · grade comparison

Steel A536 100-70-03 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 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for A536 100-70-03, about 27% more; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi). In exchange, A536 100-70-03 is the more ductile: elongation 4% versus 3% for A536 120-90-02, and A536 120-90-02 is harder (302 HB vs 241 HB). A536 100-70-03 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous). On the shop floor, A536 100-70-03 machines more easily (good vs fair).

A536 100-70-03Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

A536 120-90-02Choose it when strength drives the design.

A536 100-70-03 vs A536 120-90-02: properties

A536 100-70-03A536 120-90-02

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

169 GPa24.5 Msi
172 GPa24.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

65 GPa9.4 Msi
66 GPa9.6 Msi

Bulk Modulus

130 GPa18.9 Msi
138 GPa20 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

760 MPa110 ksi
900 MPa131 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

520 MPa75.4 ksi
660 MPa95.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

4%
3%

Reduction in Area

4%
3%

Compressive Strength

900 MPa131 ksi
1,500 MPa218 ksi

Shear Strength

660 MPa95.7 ksi
800 MPa116 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
360 MPa52.2 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

30 MPa·√m27.3 ksi·√in
35 MPa·√m31.9 ksi·√in

Hardness, Brinell

241 HB
302 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

100 HRB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

23 HRC
32 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

252 HV
318 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.28 · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 9 J6.6 ft·lbf

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,150°C2,102 °F
1,140°C2,084 °F

Same in both: Density 7.1 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³ · Liquidus Temperature 1,165°C2,129 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
350°C662 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 32 W/m·K18.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 220 J/g94.6 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.9 % IACS
2.7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 µΩ·in
6.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m25.2 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

15 / 100
16 / 100

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

55 / 100
35 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

55%
30%

Weldability

25 / 100
18 / 100

Formability (cold)

3 / 100
5 / 100

Castability

85 / 100
82 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

40 / 100
30 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

20 MJ/kg8,598 BTU/lb
21 MJ/kg9,028 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.7 kg CO₂/kg
1.8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 85%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

107 kN·m/kg
127 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

23.8 MN·m/kg
24.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

800 kJ/m³
1,266 kJ/m³

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

12
14

Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 9.8 mm²/s

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.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleA536 100-70-03A536 120-90-02

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityA536 100-70-03A536 120-90-02
Default condition——
Relative cost$$ Standard$$ 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.

A536 100-70-03 vs A536 120-90-02 — frequently asked

Is A536 120-90-02 stronger than A536 100-70-03?

Yes. A536 120-90-02 has a typical yield strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) against 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for A536 100-70-03 — about 27% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi).

Which is cheaper, A536 100-70-03 or A536 120-90-02?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, A536 100-70-03 or A536 120-90-02?

A536 100-70-03. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (35/100) for A536 120-90-02; for welding the order is A536 100-70-03 first (poor, 25/100) then A536 120-90-02 (poor, 18/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A536 100-70-03 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.