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Steel E90C-D2 vs ER70S-3

Steel · grade comparison

Steel E90C-D2 and ER70S-3 are both steel grades. E90C-D2 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for ER70S-3, about 26% more; tensile strength follows at 670 MPa (97.2 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi). In exchange, ER70S-3 is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 22% for E90C-D2, and E90C-D2 is harder (205 HB vs 160 HB). ER70S-3 conducts heat better (48 W/m·K vs 42 W/m·K). On the shop floor, ER70S-3 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than E90C-D2 (standard, $$).

E90C-D2Choose it when strength drives the design.

ER70S-3Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

E90C-D2 vs ER70S-3: properties

E90C-D2ER70S-3

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

80 GPa11.6 Msi
79 GPa11.5 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

670 MPa97.2 ksi
550 MPa79.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

580 MPa84.1 ksi
460 MPa66.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

22%
28%

Reduction in Area

55%
65%

Shear Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

280 MPa40.6 ksi
230 MPa33.4 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

70 J51.6 ft·lbf
90 J66.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

205 HB
160 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

94 HRB
84 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

215 HV
168 HV

Compressive Strength

—
460 MPa66.7 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in

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

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

42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
48 W/m·K27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.3 µm/m·K6.8 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

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

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

7.8 % IACS
10 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 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

50 / 100
58 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

55%
60%

Weldability

90 / 100
95 / 100

Formability (cold)

40 / 100
80 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
55 / 100

Castability

—
70 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

—
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

33 MJ/kg14,187 BTU/lb
32 MJ/kg13,758 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.5 kg CO₂/kg
2.4 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

65 L/kg7.8 gal/lb
60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

35%
25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

85 kN·m/kg
70 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

820 kJ/m³
516 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.4 mm²/s
13 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.1 MN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 11

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-3E90C-D2

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityE90C-D2ER70S-3
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.

E90C-D2 vs ER70S-3 — frequently asked

Is E90C-D2 stronger than ER70S-3?

Yes. E90C-D2 has a typical yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for ER70S-3 — about 26% more. Tensile strength is 670 MPa (97.2 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi).

Which is cheaper, E90C-D2 or ER70S-3?

ER70S-3 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while E90C-D2 is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, E90C-D2 or ER70S-3?

ER70S-3. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (50/100) for E90C-D2; for welding the order is ER70S-3 first (excellent, 95/100) then E90C-D2 (excellent, 90/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in E90C-D2 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.