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Steel E6010 vs J506

Steel · grade comparison

Steel E6010 and J506 are both steel grades. J506 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for E6010, about 10% more; tensile strength follows at 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi). J506 is harder — 170 HB against 155 HB for E6010 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. On the shop floor, J506 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than E6010 (standard, $$).

J506Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

E6010 vs J506: properties

E6010J506

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

79 GPa11.5 Msi
80 GPa11.6 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

480 MPa69.6 ksi
540 MPa78.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

400 MPa58 ksi
440 MPa63.8 ksi

Shear Strength

300 MPa43.5 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

200 MPa29 ksi
230 MPa33.4 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

90 J66.4 ft·lbf
130 J95.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

155 HB
170 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

82 HRB
87 HRB

Reduction in Area

—
65%

Compressive Strength

—
440 MPa63.8 ksi

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 205 GPa29.7 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Elongation at Break 28%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,480°C2,696 °F
1,460°C2,660 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,520°C2,768 °F
1,510°C2,750 °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

50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
48 W/m·K27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 10 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.62 V
-0.61 V

Corrosion Resistance

10 / 100
11 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

60 / 100
58 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

65%
55%

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
60 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 92 / 100 · Polishability 45 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Water

60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

20%
25%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 32 MJ/kg13,758 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.4 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

61 kN·m/kg
69 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

390 kJ/m³
472 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.6 mm²/s
13 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.1 MN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 10

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 scaleE6010J506

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityE6010J506
Default condition——
Relative cost$$ Standard$ 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.

E6010 vs J506 — frequently asked

Is J506 stronger than E6010?

Yes. J506 has a typical yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for E6010 — about 10% more. Tensile strength is 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi).

Which is cheaper, E6010 or J506?

J506 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while E6010 is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

When should I choose E6010 over J506?

Pick J506 when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in E6010 and J506 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.