Steel AR500 vs EN41B
Steel · grade comparison
Steel AR500 and EN41B are both steel grades. AR500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 740 MPa (107 ksi) for EN41B, about 82% more; tensile strength follows at 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) vs 925 MPa (134 ksi). In exchange, EN41B is the more ductile: elongation 15% versus 9% for AR500, and AR500 is harder (500 HB vs 269 HB). EN41B runs hotter in service (450°C vs 250°C continuous). On the shop floor, EN41B machines more easily (fair vs not recommended), AR500 welds better (fair vs poor), and EN41B sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than AR500 (high, $$$$).
AR500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.
EN41BChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
AR500 vs EN41B: 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.
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 205 GPa29.7 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 40 W/m·K23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °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
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.3 kg CO₂/kg
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 | AR500 | EN41B |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Q&T | Q&T |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 38 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, CrN, DLC, E-Coating and 26 more.
AR500 vs EN41B — frequently asked
Is AR500 stronger than EN41B?
Yes. AR500 has a typical yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 740 MPa (107 ksi) for EN41B — about 82% more. Tensile strength is 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) vs 925 MPa (134 ksi).
Which is cheaper, AR500 or EN41B?
EN41B is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while AR500 is high ($$$$). 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, AR500 or EN41B?
EN41B. Its machinability rates fair (50/100) against not recommended (12/100) for AR500; for welding the order is AR500 first (fair, 45/100) then EN41B (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AR500 and EN41B 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.