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Steel M19 vs M36

Steel · grade comparison

Steel M19 and M36 are both steel grades, both electrical steel. M36 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) for M19, about 62% more; tensile strength follows at 880 MPa (128 ksi) vs 460 MPa (66.7 ksi). In exchange, M19 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 14% for M36, and M36 is harder (260 HV vs 150 HV). M19 is lighter (7.65 g/cm³ vs 8.19 g/cm³ for M36) and M36 is stiffer (217 GPa vs 200 GPa). On the shop floor, M19 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and M19 welds better (fair vs poor).

M19Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

M36Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

M19 vs M36: properties

M19M36

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
217 GPa31.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

78 GPa11.3 Msi
84 GPa12.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.28

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

460 MPa66.7 ksi
880 MPa128 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

340 MPa49.3 ksi
550 MPa79.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

25%
14%

Reduction in Area

45%
22%

Shear Strength

320 MPa46.4 ksi
570 MPa82.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

230 MPa33.4 ksi
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

72 HRB
100 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

150 HV
260 HV

Compressive Strength

—
1,900 MPa276 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
20 J14.8 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

—
248 HB

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.65 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
8.19 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,480°C2,696 °F
1,400°C2,552 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,520°C2,768 °F
1,455°C2,651 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

25 W/m·K14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
22 W/m·K12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
11 µm/m·K6.1 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
500°C932 °F

Min Service Temperature

-60°C-76 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 260 J/g112 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

3.3 % IACS
—

Electrical Resistivity

5.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m20.5 µΩ·in
6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.6 V
—

Corrosion Resistance

15 / 100
18 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

45 / 100
26 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

45%
30%

Weldability

50 / 100
15 / 100

Formability (cold)

65 / 100
12 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

50 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

50 / 100
65 / 100

Castability

—
25 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

32 MJ/kg13,758 BTU/lb
70 MJ/kg30,095 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.4 kg CO₂/kg
4.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

25%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

60 kN·m/kg
107 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.1 MN·m/kg
26.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

289 kJ/m³
697 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

6.8 mm²/s
6.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

5
8

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 scaleM19M36

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityM19M36
Default conditionAnnealedAnnealed
Relative cost$$ Standard$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both are offered for Sheet metal. Both take the same 22 finishes: Black Oxide, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, E-Coating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Hot-Dip Galvanizing, Manganese Phosphate, Nickel Plating and 10 more.

M19 vs M36 — frequently asked

Is M36 stronger than M19?

Yes. M36 has a typical yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) for M19 — about 62% more. Tensile strength is 880 MPa (128 ksi) vs 460 MPa (66.7 ksi).

Which is cheaper, M19 or M36?

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, M19 or M36?

M19. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (26/100) for M36; for welding the order is M19 first (fair, 50/100) then M36 (poor, 15/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in M19 and M36 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.