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Steel E6011 vs ER70S-6

Steel · grade comparison

Steel E6011 and ER70S-6 are both steel grades. ER70S-6 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for E6011, about 15% more; tensile strength follows at 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi). On the shop floor, ER70S-6 welds better (95 vs 85 out of 100).

ER70S-6Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.

E6011 vs ER70S-6: properties

E6011ER70S-6

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

480 MPa69.6 ksi
560 MPa81.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

400 MPa58 ksi
460 MPa66.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

26%
27%

Reduction in Area

55%
65%

Shear Strength

300 MPa43.5 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

200 MPa29 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

80 J59 ft·lbf
130 J95.9 ft·lbf

Compressive Strength

—
460 MPa66.7 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

—
170 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 205 GPa29.7 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Hardness, Brinell 160 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 84 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,460°C2,660 °F
1,470°C2,678 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,510°C2,750 °F
1,520°C2,768 °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
49 W/m·K28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Min Service Temperature

-29°C-20 °F
-30°C-22 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10 % IACS
10.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in
1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.65 V · Corrosion Resistance 10 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

55 / 100
58 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

60%
65%

Weldability

85 / 100
95 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
60 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

70 / 100
65 / 100

Polishability

40 / 100
45 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

32 MJ/kg13,758 BTU/lb
28 MJ/kg12,038 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.4 kg CO₂/kg
2.1 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

61 kN·m/kg
71 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

390 kJ/m³
516 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.3 mm²/s
13 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

10
11

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.1 MN·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 scaleER70S-6E6011

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityE6011ER70S-6
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.

E6011 vs ER70S-6 — frequently asked

Is ER70S-6 stronger than E6011?

Yes. ER70S-6 has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for E6011 — about 15% more. Tensile strength is 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi).

Which is cheaper, E6011 or ER70S-6?

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 welds better, E6011 or ER70S-6?

ER70S-6. Its weldability rates excellent (95/100) against excellent (85/100) for E6011.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in E6011 and ER70S-6 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.