Steel Alloy 50 vs GX5NiS36
Steel · grade comparison
Steel Alloy 50 and GX5NiS36 are both steel grades. Alloy 50 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) against 200 MPa (29 ksi) for GX5NiS36, about 25% more; tensile strength follows at 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) vs 420 MPa (60.9 ksi). Alloy 50 is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 12% for GX5NiS36, and Alloy 50 is harder (145 HB vs 135 HB). Alloy 50 is stiffer (160 GPa vs 140 GPa) and Alloy 50 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, Alloy 50 welds better (very good vs poor).
Alloy 50Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Alloy 50 vs GX5NiS36: 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
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.29
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)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 275 J/g118 BTU/lb
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 30 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Castability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 35%
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 50 | GX5NiS36 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
Alloy 50 vs GX5NiS36 — frequently asked
Is Alloy 50 stronger than GX5NiS36?
Yes. Alloy 50 has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) against 200 MPa (29 ksi) for GX5NiS36 — about 25% more. Tensile strength is 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) vs 420 MPa (60.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Alloy 50 or GX5NiS36?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Alloy 50 or GX5NiS36?
GX5NiS36, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 40/100 against 35/100 for Alloy 50; for welding the order is Alloy 50 first (very good, 75/100) then GX5NiS36 (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 50 and GX5NiS36 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.