Steel CRS vs SPCC
Steel · grade comparison
Steel CRS and SPCC are both steel grades, both multipurpose steel. CRS is the stronger of the two: yield strength 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for SPCC, about 14% more; tensile strength follows at 365 MPa (52.9 ksi) vs 320 MPa (46.4 ksi). SPCC is harder — 118 HV against 100 HV for CRS — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. CRS runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous). On the shop floor, SPCC machines more easily (good vs fair) and SPCC sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than CRS (standard, $$).
CRSChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
SPCCChoose it when surface hardness matters, or when the part is machined in volume.
CRS vs SPCC: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Compressive Strength 220 MPa31.9 ksi · Hardness, Brinell 110 HB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,495°C2,723 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 272 J/g117 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °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 %)
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Weldability 95 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 75 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: 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 | CRS | SPCC |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Default condition | HR | HR |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| AlCrN | Yes | — |
| AlTiN | Yes | — |
| CVD Al2O3 | Yes | — |
| CVD TiCN | Yes | — |
| CVD TiN | Yes | — |
| CrN | Yes | — |
| DLC | Yes | — |
| HVOF Coating | Yes | — |
| MoS2 | Yes | — |
| Multilayer CVD | Yes | — |
| TiAlN | Yes | — |
| TiB2 | Yes | — |
| TiCN | Yes | — |
| TiN | Yes | — |
| WC/C | Yes | — |
| ZrN | Yes | — |
Both are offered for Sheet metal. They share 22 finishes: Black Oxide, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, E-Coating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Hot-Dip Galvanizing, Manganese Phosphate, Nickel Plating and 10 more.
CRS vs SPCC — frequently asked
Is CRS stronger than SPCC?
Yes. CRS has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for SPCC — about 14% more. Tensile strength is 365 MPa (52.9 ksi) vs 320 MPa (46.4 ksi).
Which is cheaper, CRS or SPCC?
SPCC is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while CRS is standard ($$). 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, CRS or SPCC?
SPCC. Its machinability rates good (62/100) against fair (52/100) for CRS.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CRS and SPCC 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.