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Steel DC05 vs DX54D

Steel · grade comparison

Steel DC05 and DX54D are both steel grades. DX54D is the stronger of the two: yield strength 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) against 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) for DC05, about 6% more. DX54D is harder — 90 HB against 85 HB for DC05 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. DC05 runs hotter in service (300°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, DC05 welds better (95 vs 85 out of 100).

DC05Choose it when the part sees heat, or when it will be welded.

DX54DChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

DC05 vs DX54D: properties

DC05DX54D

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

160 MPa23.2 ksi
170 MPa24.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

42%
40%

Shear Strength

225 MPa32.6 ksi
210 MPa30.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

140 MPa·√m127 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

80 J59 ft·lbf
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

85 HB
90 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

42 HRB
45 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

90 HV
95 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 81 GPa11.7 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 300 MPa43.5 ksi · Reduction in Area 70% · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 150 MPa21.8 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,480°C2,696 °F
1,495°C2,723 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,525°C2,777 °F
1,530°C2,786 °F

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

55 W/m·K31.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
58 W/m·K33.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

247 J/g106 BTU/lb
270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
200°C392 °F

Same in both: 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

11.5 % IACS
11 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.91 µΩ·in
1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.62 V
-1.03 V

Corrosion Resistance

10 / 100
40 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

55 / 100
50 / 100

Weldability

95 / 100
85 / 100

Formability (cold)

97 / 100
95 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
30 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 55% · Brazeability / Solderability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

29 MJ/kg12,468 BTU/lb
30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.4 kg CO₂/kg
2.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

35 L/kg4.2 gal/lb
60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Modulus of Resilience

61 kJ/m³
69 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

14.9 mm²/s
16.1 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 38 kN·m/kg · Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.8 MN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 7

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.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleDC05DX54D

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityDC05DX54D
Default condition——
Relative cost$ Budget$ Budget
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.

DC05 vs DX54D — frequently asked

Is DX54D stronger than DC05?

Yes. DX54D has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) against 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) for DC05 — about 6% more. Tensile strength is 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) vs 300 MPa (43.5 ksi).

Which is cheaper, DC05 or DX54D?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($, budget); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, DC05 or DX54D?

DC05. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (50/100) for DX54D; for welding the order is DC05 first (excellent, 95/100) then DX54D (excellent, 85/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in DC05 and DX54D 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.