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Steel DC05 vs SPCD

Steel · grade comparison

Steel DC05 and SPCD are both steel grades. SPCD is the stronger of the two: yield strength 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) against 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) for DC05, about 13% more. SPCD is harder — 90 HB against 85 HB for DC05 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads.

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

DC05 vs SPCD: properties

DC05SPCD

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

210 GPa30.5 Msi
207 GPa30 Msi

Shear Modulus

81 GPa11.7 Msi
80 GPa11.6 Msi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

160 MPa23.2 ksi
180 MPa26.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

42%
40%

Reduction in Area

70%
—

Shear Strength

225 MPa32.6 ksi
200 MPa29 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

140 MPa·√m127 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

80 J59 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

85 HB
90 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

42 HRB
45 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

90 HV
105 HV

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 300 MPa43.5 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 150 MPa21.8 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.87 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,480°C2,696 °F
1,500°C2,732 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,525°C2,777 °F
1,530°C2,786 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

55 W/m·K31.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
52 W/m·K30 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Min Service Temperature

-40°C-40 °F
-20°C-4 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 247 J/g106 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 300°C572 °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
-0.6 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 10 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

55 / 100
50 / 100

Formability (cold)

97 / 100
92 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
50 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 55% · Weldability 95 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

29 MJ/kg12,468 BTU/lb
27 MJ/kg11,608 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

35 L/kg4.2 gal/lb
45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

25%
22%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.4 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.8 MN·m/kg
26.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

61 kJ/m³
78 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

14.9 mm²/s
13.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

7
6

Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 38 kN·m/kg

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 scaleDC05SPCD

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityDC05SPCD
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 SPCD — frequently asked

Is SPCD stronger than DC05?

Yes. SPCD has a typical yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) against 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) for DC05 — about 13% more. Tensile strength is 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) vs 300 MPa (43.5 ksi).

Which is cheaper, DC05 or SPCD?

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 SPCD?

DC05. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (50/100) for SPCD.

Ready to make it?

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