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Steel A897 Grade 1 vs A897 Grade 5

Steel · grade comparison

Steel A897 Grade 1 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 700 MPa (102 ksi) for A897 Grade 1, about 71% more; tensile strength follows at 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) vs 950 MPa (138 ksi). In exchange, A897 Grade 1 is the more ductile: elongation 11% versus 1.5% for A897 Grade 5, and A897 Grade 5 is harder (440 HB vs 300 HB). On the shop floor, A897 Grade 1 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and A897 Grade 1 welds better (poor vs not recommended).

A897 Grade 1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

A897 Grade 5Choose it when strength drives the design.

A897 Grade 1 vs A897 Grade 5: properties

A897 Grade 1A897 Grade 5

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

165 GPa23.9 Msi
168 GPa24.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

64 GPa9.3 Msi
65 GPa9.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

125 GPa18.1 Msi
122 GPa17.7 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.28
0.27

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

950 MPa138 ksi
1,500 MPa218 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

700 MPa102 ksi
1,200 MPa174 ksi

Elongation at Break

11%
1.5%

Compressive Strength

1,400 MPa203 ksi
2,000 MPa290 ksi

Shear Strength

810 MPa117 ksi
1,250 MPa181 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

350 MPa50.8 ksi
500 MPa72.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

75 MPa·√m68.3 ksi·√in
60 MPa·√m54.6 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

110 J81.1 ft·lbf
10 J7.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

300 HB
440 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

32 HRC
45 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

315 HV
470 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Liquidus Temperature

1,180°C2,156 °F
1,160°C2,120 °F

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.

Min Service Temperature

-40°C-40 °F
-20°C-4 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 22 W/m·K12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.5 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 220 J/g94.6 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 300°C572 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.2 % IACS
2.3 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.5 µΩ·in
7.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m29.5 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

18 / 100
20 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.6 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

35 / 100
15 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
12%

Weldability

15 / 100
5 / 100

Castability

85 / 100
80 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

30 / 100
25 / 100

Same in both: Formability (cold) 5 / 100 · Polishability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
22 MJ/kg9,458 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2 kg CO₂/kg
1.9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

30 L/kg3.6 gal/lb
60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

85%
75%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

134 kN·m/kg
211 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

23.2 MN·m/kg
23.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,485 kJ/m³
4,286 kJ/m³

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

10
16

Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 6.7 mm²/s

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 scaleA897 Grade 1A897 Grade 5

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityA897 Grade 1A897 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.

A897 Grade 1 vs A897 Grade 5 — frequently asked

Is A897 Grade 5 stronger than A897 Grade 1?

Yes. A897 Grade 5 has a typical yield strength of 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) against 700 MPa (102 ksi) for A897 Grade 1 — about 71% more. Tensile strength is 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) vs 950 MPa (138 ksi).

Which is cheaper, A897 Grade 1 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, A897 Grade 1 or A897 Grade 5?

A897 Grade 1. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (15/100) for A897 Grade 5; for welding the order is A897 Grade 1 first (poor, 15/100) then A897 Grade 5 (not recommended, 5/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A897 Grade 1 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.