Steel M19 vs Silicon Steel
Steel · grade comparison
Steel M19 and Silicon Steel are both steel grades, both electrical steel. M19 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for Silicon Steel, about 6% more. M19 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 20% for Silicon Steel, and Silicon Steel is harder (180 HV vs 150 HV). M19 conducts heat better (25 W/m·K vs 22 W/m·K). On the shop floor, M19 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Silicon Steel (premium, $$$).
M19Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
M19 vs Silicon 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.
Shear Modulus
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 460 MPa66.7 ksi · Shear Strength 320 MPa46.4 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Density 7.65 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Liquidus Temperature 1,520°C2,768 °F
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) 200°C392 °F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.6 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 45% · Brazeability / Solderability 50 / 100 · Polishability 50 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 25%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 60 kN·m/kg · 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 | M19 | Silicon Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Annealed | Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| 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 Silicon Steel — frequently asked
Is M19 stronger than Silicon Steel?
Yes. M19 has a typical yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for Silicon Steel — about 6% more. Tensile strength is 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) vs 460 MPa (66.7 ksi).
Which is cheaper, M19 or Silicon Steel?
M19 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Silicon Steel is premium ($$$). 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, M19 or Silicon Steel?
M19, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 38/100 for Silicon Steel; for welding the order is M19 first (fair, 50/100) then Silicon Steel (fair, 45/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in M19 and Silicon 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.