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Steel E80C-Ni3 vs ER70S-6

Steel · grade comparison

Steel E80C-Ni3 and ER70S-6 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-6, about 12% more; tensile strength follows at 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi). E80C-Ni3 is harder — 190 HB against 160 HB for ER70S-6 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. ER70S-6 conducts heat better (49 W/m·K vs 39 W/m·K). On the shop floor, ER70S-6 forms better (good vs fair) and ER70S-6 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-6Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.

E80C-Ni3 vs ER70S-6: properties

E80C-Ni3ER70S-6

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

79 GPa11.5 Msi
80 GPa11.6 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

620 MPa89.9 ksi
560 MPa81.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

515 MPa74.7 ksi
460 MPa66.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

26%
27%

Shear Strength

380 MPa55.1 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

260 MPa37.7 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in
120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in

Hardness, Brinell

190 HB
160 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

91 HRB
84 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

200 HV
170 HV

Compressive Strength

—
460 MPa66.7 ksi

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 205 GPa29.7 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Reduction in Area 65% · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 130 J95.9 ft·lbf

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
49 W/m·K28.3 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)

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

Min Service Temperature

-73°C-99 °F
-30°C-22 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

6 % IACS
10.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.4 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
-0.65 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%
65%

Weldability

88 / 100
95 / 100

Formability (cold)

45 / 100
60 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
65 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

40 MJ/kg17,197 BTU/lb
28 MJ/kg12,038 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3 kg CO₂/kg
2.1 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

75 L/kg9 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)

79 kN·m/kg
71 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-6E80C-Ni3

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityE80C-Ni3ER70S-6
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-6 — frequently asked

Is E80C-Ni3 stronger than ER70S-6?

Yes. E80C-Ni3 has a typical yield strength of 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for ER70S-6 — about 12% more. Tensile strength is 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, E80C-Ni3 or ER70S-6?

ER70S-6 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-6?

ER70S-6. 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-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.