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Steel ER70S-2 vs J422

Steel · grade comparison

Steel ER70S-2 and J422 are both steel grades. ER70S-2 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for J422, about 13% more; tensile strength follows at 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) vs 490 MPa (71.1 ksi). ER70S-2 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous) and J422 conducts electricity better (12 % IACS vs 10.5 % IACS). On the shop floor, ER70S-2 forms better (very good vs good) and J422 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than ER70S-2 (standard, $$).

ER70S-2Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

J422Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.

ER70S-2 vs J422: properties

ER70S-2J422

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

560 MPa81.2 ksi
490 MPa71.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

450 MPa65.3 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Elongation at Break

28%
26%

Reduction in Area

68%
50%

Compressive Strength

450 MPa65.3 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Shear Strength

345 MPa50 ksi
320 MPa46.4 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

235 MPa34.1 ksi
200 MPa29 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

115 MPa·√m105 ksi·√in
80 MPa·√m72.8 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

120 J88.5 ft·lbf
80 J59 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

155 HB
160 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

82 HRB
84 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

163 HV
168 HV

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

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,470°C2,678 °F
1,500°C2,732 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,520°C2,768 °F
1,530°C2,786 °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

48 W/m·K27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.5 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

270 J/g116 BTU/lb
272 J/g117 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
350°C662 °F

Min Service Temperature

-30°C-22 °F
0°C32 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10.5 % IACS
12 % IACS

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.61 V
-0.65 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 10 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

62 / 100
55 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

65%
60%

Weldability

98 / 100
95 / 100

Formability (cold)

70 / 100
60 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

65 / 100
70 / 100

Polishability

50 / 100
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb
35 MJ/kg15,047 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.2 kg CO₂/kg
2.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

35 L/kg4.2 gal/lb
60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

25%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

71 kN·m/kg
62 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

494 kJ/m³
390 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13 mm²/s
13.6 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.1 MN·m/kg · 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.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleER70S-2J422

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityER70S-2J422
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.

ER70S-2 vs J422 — frequently asked

Is ER70S-2 stronger than J422?

Yes. ER70S-2 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for J422 — about 13% more. Tensile strength is 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) vs 490 MPa (71.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, ER70S-2 or J422?

J422 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while ER70S-2 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, ER70S-2 or J422?

ER70S-2, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 62/100 against 55/100 for J422.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ER70S-2 and J422 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.