Steel Böhler S390 vs CPM S30V
Steel · grade comparison
Steel Böhler S390 and CPM S30V are both steel grades. Böhler S390 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) against 950 MPa (138 ksi) for CPM S30V, about 5% more. Böhler S390 is the more ductile: elongation 10% versus 8% for CPM S30V, and Böhler S390 is harder (300 HB vs 240 HB). CPM S30V is lighter (7.44 g/cm³ vs 8 g/cm³ for Böhler S390) and Böhler S390 runs hotter in service (500°C vs 400°C continuous). On the shop floor, Böhler S390 welds better (poor vs not recommended) and CPM S30V sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Böhler S390 (high, $$$$).
Böhler S390Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
CPM S30VChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Böhler S390 vs CPM S30V: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 700 MPa102 ksi · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 20 J14.8 ft·lbf
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
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
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
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)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 70 MJ/kg30,095 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.5 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 25%
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 | Böhler S390 | CPM S30V |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| AlCrN | — | Yes |
| AlTiN | — | Yes |
| Black Oxide | — | Yes |
| CVD Al2O3 | — | Yes |
| CVD TiCN | — | Yes |
| CVD TiN | — | Yes |
| Cerakote | — | Yes |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| CrN | — | Yes |
| DLC | — | Yes |
| E-Coating | — | Yes |
| HVOF Coating | — | Yes |
| Hot-Dip Galvanizing | — | Yes |
| MoS2 | — | Yes |
| Multilayer CVD | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| PTFE Coating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
Böhler S390 vs CPM S30V — frequently asked
Is Böhler S390 stronger than CPM S30V?
Yes. Böhler S390 has a typical tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) against 950 MPa (138 ksi) for CPM S30V — about 5% more.
Which is cheaper, Böhler S390 or CPM S30V?
CPM S30V is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Böhler S390 is high ($$$$). 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, Böhler S390 or CPM S30V?
Böhler S390, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 25/100 against 20/100 for CPM S30V; for welding the order is Böhler S390 first (poor, 20/100) then CPM S30V (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Böhler S390 and CPM S30V 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.