Steel A897 Grade 3 vs A897 Grade 5
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A897 Grade 3 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 810 MPa (117 ksi) for A897 Grade 3, about 48% more; tensile strength follows at 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) vs 1,120 MPa (162 ksi). In exchange, A897 Grade 3 is the more ductile: elongation 8% versus 1.5% for A897 Grade 5, and A897 Grade 5 is harder (440 HB vs 340 HB). A897 Grade 3 conducts electricity better (2.7 % IACS vs 2.3 % IACS). On the shop floor, A897 Grade 3 machines more easily (25 vs 15 out of 100).
A897 Grade 3Choose 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 3 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.
Bulk 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: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 168 GPa24.4 Msi · 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 Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Min Service Temperature
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 · Latent Heat of Fusion 220 J/g94.6 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 300°C572 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.6 V · Corrosion Resistance 20 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 5 / 100 · Castability 80 / 100 · 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)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 23.7 MN·m/kg · 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | A897 Grade 3 | 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.
A897 Grade 3 vs A897 Grade 5 — frequently asked
Is A897 Grade 5 stronger than A897 Grade 3?
Yes. A897 Grade 5 has a typical yield strength of 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) against 810 MPa (117 ksi) for A897 Grade 3 — about 48% more. Tensile strength is 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) vs 1,120 MPa (162 ksi).
Which is cheaper, A897 Grade 3 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 3 or A897 Grade 5?
A897 Grade 3, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 25/100 against 15/100 for A897 Grade 5; for welding the order is A897 Grade 3 first (not recommended, 12/100) then A897 Grade 5 (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A897 Grade 3 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.