Steel A536 65-45-12 vs A897 Grade 5
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A536 65-45-12 and A897 Grade 5 are both steel grades. A897 Grade 5 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) against 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) for A536 65-45-12, about 3.5 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi). In exchange, A536 65-45-12 is the more ductile: elongation 14% versus 1.5% for A897 Grade 5, and A897 Grade 5 is harder (440 HB vs 170 HB). A536 65-45-12 runs hotter in service (350°C vs 300°C continuous) and A536 65-45-12 conducts heat better (35 W/m·K vs 22 W/m·K). On the shop floor, A536 65-45-12 machines more easily (good vs poor) and A536 65-45-12 welds better (fair vs not recommended).
A536 65-45-12Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
A897 Grade 5Choose it when strength drives the design.
A536 65-45-12 vs A897 Grade 5: 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
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Compressive Strength
Hardness, Rockwell C
Same in both: Shear Modulus 65 GPa9.4 Msi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.1 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,150°C2,102 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 220 J/g94.6 BTU/lb · 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 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
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 65-45-12 | A897 Grade 5 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 65-45-12 vs A897 Grade 5 — frequently asked
Is A897 Grade 5 stronger than A536 65-45-12?
Yes. A897 Grade 5 has a typical yield strength of 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) against 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) for A536 65-45-12 — about 3.5 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi).
Which is cheaper, A536 65-45-12 or A897 Grade 5?
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 65-45-12 or A897 Grade 5?
A536 65-45-12. Its machinability rates good (68/100) against poor (15/100) for A897 Grade 5; for welding the order is A536 65-45-12 first (fair, 35/100) then A897 Grade 5 (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A536 65-45-12 and A897 Grade 5 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.