Steel A536 60-40-18 vs A536 80-55-06
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A536 60-40-18 and A536 80-55-06 are both steel grades. A536 80-55-06 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for A536 60-40-18, about 33% more; tensile strength follows at 575 MPa (83.4 ksi) vs 450 MPa (65.3 ksi). In exchange, A536 60-40-18 is the more ductile: elongation 23% versus 8% for A536 80-55-06, and A536 80-55-06 is harder (195 HB vs 150 HB). On the shop floor, A536 80-55-06 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than A536 60-40-18 (standard, $$).
A536 60-40-18Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
A536 80-55-06Choose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.
A536 60-40-18 vs A536 80-55-06: 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.
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 B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 169 GPa24.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 65 GPa9.4 Msi · Bulk Modulus 135 GPa19.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.1 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³
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
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 1.9 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 23.8 MN·m/kg
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 60-40-18 | A536 80-55-06 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ 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.
A536 60-40-18 vs A536 80-55-06 — frequently asked
Is A536 80-55-06 stronger than A536 60-40-18?
Yes. A536 80-55-06 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for A536 60-40-18 — about 33% more. Tensile strength is 575 MPa (83.4 ksi) vs 450 MPa (65.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, A536 60-40-18 or A536 80-55-06?
A536 80-55-06 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while A536 60-40-18 is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
When should I choose A536 60-40-18 over A536 80-55-06?
Pick A536 60-40-18 when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded. Pick A536 80-55-06 when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A536 60-40-18 and A536 80-55-06 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.