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Steel ER70S-6 vs ER80S-Ni2

Steel · grade comparison

Steel ER70S-6 and ER80S-Ni2 are both steel grades. ER80S-Ni2 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 510 MPa (74 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for ER70S-6, about 11% more; tensile strength follows at 600 MPa (87 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi). ER80S-Ni2 is harder — 195 HB against 160 HB for ER70S-6 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. ER70S-6 conducts heat better (49 W/m·K vs 39 W/m·K). On the shop floor, ER70S-6 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than ER80S-Ni2 (premium, $$$).

ER70S-6Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.

ER80S-Ni2Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

ER70S-6 vs ER80S-Ni2: properties

ER70S-6ER80S-Ni2

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

560 MPa81.2 ksi
600 MPa87 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

460 MPa66.7 ksi
510 MPa74 ksi

Reduction in Area

65%
68%

Compressive Strength

460 MPa66.7 ksi
—

Shear Strength

340 MPa49.3 ksi
370 MPa53.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

240 MPa34.8 ksi
260 MPa37.7 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in
130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in

Hardness, Brinell

160 HB
195 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

84 HRB
92 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

170 HV
205 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 · Elongation at Break 27% · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 130 J95.9 ft·lbf

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,470°C2,678 °F
1,460°C2,660 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,520°C2,768 °F
1,510°C2,750 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

49 W/m·K28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
39 W/m·K22.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Min Service Temperature

-30°C-22 °F
-73°C-99 °F

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10.5 % IACS
—

Electrical Resistivity

1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 µΩ·in
2.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.45 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.65 V
-0.62 V

Corrosion Resistance

10 / 100
13 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

58 / 100
55 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

65%
60%

Weldability

95 / 100
88 / 100

Formability (cold)

60 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

65 / 100
70 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 45 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

28 MJ/kg12,038 BTU/lb
34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.1 kg CO₂/kg
2.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

71 kN·m/kg
77 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.1 MN·m/kg
26.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

516 kJ/m³
634 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13 mm²/s
10.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

11
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-6ER80S-Ni2

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityER70S-6ER80S-Ni2
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-6 vs ER80S-Ni2 — frequently asked

Is ER80S-Ni2 stronger than ER70S-6?

Yes. ER80S-Ni2 has a typical yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for ER70S-6 — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 600 MPa (87 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, ER70S-6 or ER80S-Ni2?

ER70S-6 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget 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 welds better, ER70S-6 or ER80S-Ni2?

ER70S-6. Its weldability rates excellent (95/100) against excellent (88/100) for ER80S-Ni2.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ER70S-6 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.