Steel High Carbon Steel vs Mild Steel
Steel · grade comparison
Steel High Carbon Steel and Mild Steel are both steel grades. High Carbon Steel is the stronger of the two: yield strength 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for Mild Steel, about 88% more; tensile strength follows at 850 MPa (123 ksi) vs 400 MPa (58 ksi). In exchange, Mild Steel is the more ductile: elongation 24% versus 12% for High Carbon Steel, and High Carbon Steel is harder (250 HB vs 120 HB). Mild Steel conducts electricity better (10.8 % IACS vs 9.6 % IACS). On the shop floor, Mild Steel machines more easily (good vs fair) and Mild Steel welds better (excellent vs poor).
High Carbon SteelChoose it when strength drives the design.
Mild SteelChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
High Carbon Steel vs Mild Steel: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Compressive Strength
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
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
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °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
Castability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb · Embodied Water 40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
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 | High Carbon Steel | Mild Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | HR | HR |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 38 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, CrN, DLC, E-Coating and 26 more.
High Carbon Steel vs Mild Steel — frequently asked
Is High Carbon Steel stronger than Mild Steel?
Yes. High Carbon Steel has a typical yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for Mild Steel — about 88% more. Tensile strength is 850 MPa (123 ksi) vs 400 MPa (58 ksi).
Which is cheaper, High Carbon Steel or Mild Steel?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, High Carbon Steel or Mild Steel?
Mild Steel. Its machinability rates good (60/100) against fair (40/100) for High Carbon Steel; for welding the order is Mild Steel first (excellent, 95/100) then High Carbon Steel (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in High Carbon Steel and Mild Steel 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.