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Steel E80C-Ni3 vs ER70S-3

Steel · grade comparison

Steel E80C-Ni3 and ER70S-3 are both steel grades. E80C-Ni3 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for ER70S-3, about 12% more; tensile strength follows at 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi). E80C-Ni3 is harder — 190 HB against 160 HB for ER70S-3 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. ER70S-3 conducts heat better (48 W/m·K vs 39 W/m·K). On the shop floor, ER70S-3 forms better (very good vs fair) and ER70S-3 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than E80C-Ni3 (premium, $$$).

E80C-Ni3Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

ER70S-3Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.

E80C-Ni3 vs ER70S-3: properties

E80C-Ni3ER70S-3

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

620 MPa89.9 ksi
550 MPa79.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

515 MPa74.7 ksi
460 MPa66.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

26%
28%

Shear Strength

380 MPa55.1 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

260 MPa37.7 ksi
230 MPa33.4 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in
100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

130 J95.9 ft·lbf
90 J66.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

190 HB
160 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

91 HRB
84 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

200 HV
168 HV

Compressive Strength

—
460 MPa66.7 ksi

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 205 GPa29.7 Msi · Shear Modulus 79 GPa11.5 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Reduction in Area 65%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,440°C2,624 °F
1,470°C2,678 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,500°C2,732 °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

39 W/m·K22.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
48 W/m·K27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.8 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

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

Min Service Temperature

-73°C-99 °F
-30°C-22 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

6 % IACS
10 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.4 µΩ·in
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
-0.65 V

Corrosion Resistance

13 / 100
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 %)

58%
60%

Weldability

88 / 100
95 / 100

Formability (cold)

45 / 100
80 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

—
70 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

40 MJ/kg17,197 BTU/lb
32 MJ/kg13,758 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3 kg CO₂/kg
2.4 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

75 L/kg9 gal/lb
60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

79 kN·m/kg
70 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

647 kJ/m³
516 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

10.6 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-3E80C-Ni3

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityE80C-Ni3ER70S-3
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$ Premium$ 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.

E80C-Ni3 vs ER70S-3 — frequently asked

Is E80C-Ni3 stronger than ER70S-3?

Yes. E80C-Ni3 has a typical yield strength of 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for ER70S-3 — about 12% more. Tensile strength is 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi).

Which is cheaper, E80C-Ni3 or ER70S-3?

ER70S-3 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while E80C-Ni3 is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which welds better, E80C-Ni3 or ER70S-3?

ER70S-3. Its weldability rates excellent (95/100) against excellent (88/100) for E80C-Ni3.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in E80C-Ni3 and ER70S-3 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.