Steel Alloy 49 vs Alloy 79
Steel · grade comparison
Steel Alloy 49 and Alloy 79 are both steel grades. Alloy 79 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for Alloy 49, about 23% more. Alloy 49 is harder — 70 HRB against 65 HRB for Alloy 79 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Alloy 49 is lighter (8.25 g/cm³ vs 8.74 g/cm³ for Alloy 79) and Alloy 79 is stiffer (205 GPa vs 150 GPa). On the shop floor, Alloy 49 welds better (very good vs good).
Alloy 49Choose it when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.
Alloy 79Choose it when strength drives the design.
Alloy 49 vs Alloy 79: 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
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Hardness, Brinell 120 HB · Hardness, Vickers 125 HV
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,450°C2,642 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
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
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 85 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 70 / 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)
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 | Alloy 49 | Alloy 79 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
Alloy 49 vs Alloy 79 — frequently asked
Is Alloy 79 stronger than Alloy 49?
Yes. Alloy 79 has a typical yield strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for Alloy 49 — about 23% more. Tensile strength is 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 530 MPa (76.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Alloy 49 or Alloy 79?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, Alloy 49 or Alloy 79?
Alloy 49. Its weldability rates very good (70/100) against good (60/100) for Alloy 79.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 49 and Alloy 79 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.