Steel En26 Annealed vs En26-Z
Steel · En26 temper comparison
En26 Annealed and En26-Z are two conditions of the same steel grade, En26: Annealed versus Z (Q&T condition Z). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. En26-Z is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for En26 Annealed, about 3.0 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi). In exchange, En26 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 8% for En26-Z, and En26-Z is harder (470 HB vs 205 HB). En26 Annealed runs hotter in service (450°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, En26 Annealed machines more easily (good vs poor) and En26 Annealed welds better (fair vs poor).
En26 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
En26-ZChoose it when strength drives the design.
En26 Annealed vs En26-Z: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 207 GPa30 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Compressive Strength 745 MPa108 ksi · Shear Strength 560 MPa81.2 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.83 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,480°C2,696 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 43 W/m·K24.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 7.2 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 2.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.45 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.6 V · Corrosion Resistance 12 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Castability 30 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.4 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 25%
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.
En26 Annealed vs En26-Z — frequently asked
Is En26-Z stronger than En26 Annealed?
Yes. En26-Z has a typical yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for En26 Annealed — about 3.0 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Z?
T is the default En26 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Annealed nor Z). The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which is easier to machine, En26 Annealed or En26-Z?
En26 Annealed. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against poor (18/100) for En26-Z; for welding the order is En26 Annealed first (fair, 35/100) then En26-Z (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in En26 Annealed and En26-Z 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.