Steel A709 HPS100W vs Hardox 500
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A709 HPS100W and Hardox 500 are both steel grades. Hardox 500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) against 740 MPa (107 ksi) for A709 HPS100W, about 76% more; tensile strength follows at 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) vs 830 MPa (120 ksi). In exchange, A709 HPS100W is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 8% for Hardox 500, and Hardox 500 is harder (500 HB vs 255 HB). A709 HPS100W runs hotter in service (400°C vs 250°C continuous) and A709 HPS100W conducts heat better (38 W/m·K vs 30 W/m·K). On the shop floor, A709 HPS100W machines more easily (fair vs poor), A709 HPS100W welds better (very good vs good), and A709 HPS100W sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than Hardox 500 (standard, $$).
A709 HPS100WChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Hardox 500Choose it when strength drives the design.
A709 HPS100W vs Hardox 500: 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
Poisson's Ratio
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
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Liquidus Temperature 1,500°C2,732 °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)
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
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)
Polishability
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 | A709 HPS100W | Hardox 500 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Q&T |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| AlCrN | — | Yes |
| AlTiN | — | Yes |
| Black Oxide | — | Yes |
| CVD Al2O3 | — | Yes |
| CVD TiCN | — | Yes |
| CVD TiN | — | Yes |
| Cerakote | — | Yes |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| CrN | — | Yes |
| DLC | — | Yes |
| E-Coating | — | Yes |
| HVOF Coating | — | Yes |
| Hot-Dip Galvanizing | — | Yes |
| MoS2 | — | Yes |
| Multilayer CVD | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| PTFE Coating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
A709 HPS100W vs Hardox 500 — frequently asked
Is Hardox 500 stronger than A709 HPS100W?
Yes. Hardox 500 has a typical yield strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) against 740 MPa (107 ksi) for A709 HPS100W — about 76% more. Tensile strength is 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) vs 830 MPa (120 ksi).
Which is cheaper, A709 HPS100W or Hardox 500?
A709 HPS100W is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while Hardox 500 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, A709 HPS100W or Hardox 500?
A709 HPS100W. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (22/100) for Hardox 500; for welding the order is A709 HPS100W first (very good, 72/100) then Hardox 500 (good, 55/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A709 HPS100W and Hardox 500 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.