Steel ER70S-3 vs ER80S-Ni3
Steel · grade comparison
Steel ER70S-3 and ER80S-Ni3 are both steel grades. ER80S-Ni3 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 510 MPa (74 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for ER70S-3, about 11% more; tensile strength follows at 600 MPa (87 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi). ER80S-Ni3 is harder — 190 HB against 160 HB for ER70S-3 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. ER70S-3 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous) and ER70S-3 conducts heat better (48 W/m·K vs 38 W/m·K). On the shop floor, ER70S-3 forms better (very good vs good) and ER70S-3 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than ER80S-Ni3 (premium, $$$).
ER70S-3Choose it when the part sees heat, or when cost is the deciding factor.
ER80S-Ni3Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
ER70S-3 vs ER80S-Ni3: 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 79 GPa11.5 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Reduction in Area 65%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
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
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°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)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Polishability 55 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 32 MJ/kg13,758 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.4 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 25%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | ER70S-3 | ER80S-Ni3 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$$ 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-3 vs ER80S-Ni3 — frequently asked
Is ER80S-Ni3 stronger than ER70S-3?
Yes. ER80S-Ni3 has a typical yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for ER70S-3 — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 600 MPa (87 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi).
Which is cheaper, ER70S-3 or ER80S-Ni3?
ER70S-3 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while ER80S-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 is easier to machine, ER70S-3 or ER80S-Ni3?
ER70S-3. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (52/100) for ER80S-Ni3; for welding the order is ER70S-3 first (excellent, 95/100) then ER80S-Ni3 (excellent, 88/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ER70S-3 and ER80S-Ni3 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.