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Steel A709 HPS100W vs Hardox 600

Steel · grade comparison

Steel A709 HPS100W and Hardox 600 are both steel grades. Hardox 600 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) against 740 MPa (107 ksi) for A709 HPS100W, about 123% more; tensile strength follows at 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) vs 830 MPa (120 ksi). In exchange, A709 HPS100W is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 7% for Hardox 600, and Hardox 600 is harder (600 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 not recommended), A709 HPS100W welds better (very good vs poor), and A709 HPS100W sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than Hardox 600 (standard, $$).

A709 HPS100WChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

Hardox 600Choose it when strength drives the design.

A709 HPS100W vs Hardox 600: properties

A709 HPS100WHardox 600

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
210 GPa30.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

79 GPa11.5 Msi
81 GPa11.7 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

830 MPa120 ksi
2,000 MPa290 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

740 MPa107 ksi
1,650 MPa239 ksi

Elongation at Break

20%
7%

Reduction in Area

58%
30%

Compressive Strength

740 MPa107 ksi
1,700 MPa247 ksi

Shear Strength

500 MPa72.5 ksi
1,200 MPa174 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

380 MPa55.1 ksi
750 MPa109 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

200 MPa·√m182 ksi·√in
45 MPa·√m41 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

150 J111 ft·lbf
20 J14.8 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

255 HB
600 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

24 HRC
57 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

268 HV
635 HV

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,450°C2,642 °F

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

38 W/m·K22 BTU/hr·ft·°F
30 W/m·K17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
250°C482 °F

Min Service Temperature

-50°C-58 °F
-40°C-40 °F

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

6.6 % IACS
—

Electrical Resistivity

2.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m10.2 µΩ·in
2.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m10.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.58 V
-0.6 V

Corrosion Resistance

26 / 100
15 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

38 / 100
8 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

40%
7%

Weldability

72 / 100
30 / 100

Formability (cold)

32 / 100
12 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

31 MJ/kg13,328 BTU/lb
30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
50 L/kg6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
25%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.3 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

106 kN·m/kg
255 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.5 MN·m/kg
26.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,369 kJ/m³
6,482 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

10.3 mm²/s
8.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

13
24

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 scaleHardox 600A709 HPS100W

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityA709 HPS100WHardox 600
Default condition——
Relative cost$ Budget$$ 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.

A709 HPS100W vs Hardox 600 — frequently asked

Is Hardox 600 stronger than A709 HPS100W?

Yes. Hardox 600 has a typical yield strength of 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) against 740 MPa (107 ksi) for A709 HPS100W — about 123% more. Tensile strength is 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) vs 830 MPa (120 ksi).

Which is cheaper, A709 HPS100W or Hardox 600?

A709 HPS100W is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while Hardox 600 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 600?

A709 HPS100W. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against not recommended (8/100) for Hardox 600; for welding the order is A709 HPS100W first (very good, 72/100) then Hardox 600 (poor, 30/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A709 HPS100W and Hardox 600 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.