Steel ER70S-2 vs ER80S-Ni2
Steel · grade comparison
Steel ER70S-2 and ER80S-Ni2 are both steel grades. ER80S-Ni2 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 510 MPa (74 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for ER70S-2, about 13% more; tensile strength follows at 600 MPa (87 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi). ER80S-Ni2 is harder — 195 HB against 155 HB for ER70S-2 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. ER70S-2 conducts heat better (48 W/m·K vs 39 W/m·K). On the shop floor, ER70S-2 welds better (98 vs 88 out of 100), ER70S-2 forms better (very good vs good), and ER70S-2 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than ER80S-Ni2 (premium, $$$).
ER70S-2Choose it when it will be welded, or when cost is the deciding factor.
ER80S-Ni2Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
ER70S-2 vs ER80S-Ni2: 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
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
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 · Reduction in Area 68%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 25%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 10
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | ER70S-2 | ER80S-Ni2 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| 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.
ER70S-2 vs ER80S-Ni2 — frequently asked
Is ER80S-Ni2 stronger than ER70S-2?
Yes. ER80S-Ni2 has a typical yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for ER70S-2 — about 13% more. Tensile strength is 600 MPa (87 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi).
Which is cheaper, ER70S-2 or ER80S-Ni2?
ER70S-2 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while ER80S-Ni2 is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, ER70S-2 or ER80S-Ni2?
ER70S-2, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 62/100 against 55/100 for ER80S-Ni2; for welding the order is ER70S-2 first (excellent, 98/100) then ER80S-Ni2 (excellent, 88/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ER70S-2 and ER80S-Ni2 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.