Steel H13 vs P20
Steel · grade comparison
Steel H13 and P20 are both steel grades. H13 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) against 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) for P20, about 18% more; tensile strength follows at 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi). H13 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 20% for P20, and P20 is harder (315 HV vs 215 HV). P20 runs hotter in service (450°C vs 400°C continuous) and P20 conducts heat better (32 W/m·K vs 24.5 W/m·K). On the shop floor, P20 machines more easily (good vs fair), P20 welds better (50 vs 35 out of 100), and H13 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than P20 (specialty, $$$$$).
H13Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
P20Choose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.
H13 vs P20: 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell C
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Density 7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Liquidus Temperature 1,480°C2,696 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb
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
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | H13 | P20 |
|---|---|---|
| 3D printing | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Annealed | Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Passivated (Metal AM) | Yes | — |
| Plated (Metal AM) | Yes | — |
Both are offered for CNC machining. They share 38 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, CrN, DLC, E-Coating and 26 more.
H13 vs P20 — frequently asked
Is H13 stronger than P20?
Yes. H13 has a typical yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) against 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) for P20 — about 18% more. Tensile strength is 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi).
Which is cheaper, H13 or P20?
H13 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while P20 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, H13 or P20?
P20. Its machinability rates good (65/100) against fair (45/100) for H13; for welding the order is P20 first (fair, 50/100) then H13 (fair, 35/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in H13 and P20 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.