Steel A536 120-90-02 vs A536 60-40-18
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A536 120-90-02 and A536 60-40-18 are both steel grades. A536 120-90-02 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for A536 60-40-18, about 120% more; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 450 MPa (65.3 ksi). In exchange, A536 60-40-18 is the more ductile: elongation 23% versus 3% for A536 120-90-02, and A536 120-90-02 is harder (302 HB vs 150 HB). A536 60-40-18 conducts heat better (36 W/m·K vs 32 W/m·K). On the shop floor, A536 60-40-18 machines more easily (very good vs fair) and A536 60-40-18 welds better (32 vs 18 out of 100).
A536 120-90-02Choose it when strength drives the design.
A536 60-40-18Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
A536 120-90-02 vs A536 60-40-18: 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
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.28
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.1 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,140°C2,084 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Same in both: 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 · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 350°C662 °F · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °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)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Polishability 55 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 21 MJ/kg9,028 BTU/lb · 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 | A536 120-90-02 | A536 60-40-18 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 120-90-02 vs A536 60-40-18 — frequently asked
Is A536 120-90-02 stronger than A536 60-40-18?
Yes. A536 120-90-02 has a typical yield strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for A536 60-40-18 — about 120% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 450 MPa (65.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, A536 120-90-02 or A536 60-40-18?
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 120-90-02 or A536 60-40-18?
A536 60-40-18. Its machinability rates very good (72/100) against fair (35/100) for A536 120-90-02; for welding the order is A536 60-40-18 first (poor, 32/100) then A536 120-90-02 (poor, 18/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A536 120-90-02 and A536 60-40-18 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.