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Steel A842 Grade 300 vs G3500

Steel · grade comparison

Steel A842 Grade 300 and G3500 are both steel grades. A842 Grade 300 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) against 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) for G3500, about 28% more; tensile strength follows at 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) vs 250 MPa (36.3 ksi). A842 Grade 300 is the more ductile: elongation 2.5% versus 0.5% for G3500, and G3500 is harder (225 HB vs 170 HB). A842 Grade 300 is stiffer (145 GPa vs 110 GPa) and G3500 conducts heat better (46 W/m·K vs 36 W/m·K). On the shop floor, G3500 machines more easily (very good vs fair) and G3500 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than A842 Grade 300 (standard, $$).

A842 Grade 300Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

G3500Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.

A842 Grade 300 vs G3500: properties

A842 Grade 300G3500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

145 GPa21 Msi
110 GPa16 Msi

Shear Modulus

57 GPa8.3 Msi
44 GPa6.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

101 GPa14.6 Msi
76 GPa11 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

330 MPa47.9 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

230 MPa33.4 ksi
180 MPa26.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

2.5%
0.5%

Compressive Strength

800 MPa116 ksi
855 MPa124 ksi

Shear Strength

290 MPa42.1 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

140 MPa20.3 ksi
110 MPa16 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

25 MPa·√m22.8 ksi·√in
15 MPa·√m13.7 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

3 J2.2 ft·lbf
6 J4.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

170 HB
225 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

88 HRB
98 HRB

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.26

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.1 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³
7.2 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³

Liquidus Temperature

1,180°C2,156 °F
1,205°C2,201 °F

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,150°C2,102 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

36 W/m·K20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
46 W/m·K26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 220 J/g94.6 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 µΩ·in
8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.5 µΩ·in

Electrical Conductivity

—
2.2 % IACS

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.6 V
-0.61 V

Corrosion Resistance

16 / 100
15 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
78 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

50%
65%

Formability (cold)

5 / 100
3 / 100

Castability

65 / 100
95 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

40 / 100
45 / 100

Polishability

35 / 100
40 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 25 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

19 MJ/kg8,169 BTU/lb
21 MJ/kg9,028 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.7 kg CO₂/kg
1.9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
30 L/kg3.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

90%
85%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

46 kN·m/kg
35 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

20.4 MN·m/kg
15.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

182 kJ/m³
147 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

10.8 mm²/s
13.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

7
9

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 scaleG3500A842 Grade 300

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityA842 Grade 300G3500
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.

A842 Grade 300 vs G3500 — frequently asked

Is A842 Grade 300 stronger than G3500?

Yes. A842 Grade 300 has a typical yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) against 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) for G3500 — about 28% more. Tensile strength is 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) vs 250 MPa (36.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, A842 Grade 300 or G3500?

G3500 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while A842 Grade 300 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, A842 Grade 300 or G3500?

G3500. Its machinability rates very good (78/100) against fair (40/100) for A842 Grade 300.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A842 Grade 300 and G3500 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.