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Steel M41 vs T1

Steel · grade comparison

Steel M41 and T1 are both steel grades. M41 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) for T1, about 7% more. In exchange, T1 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 12% for M41, and M41 is harder (262 HB vs 235 HB). M41 is lighter (8.16 g/cm³ vs 8.7 g/cm³ for T1) and M41 runs hotter in service (550°C vs 400°C continuous). On the shop floor, T1 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than M41 (high, $$$$).

M41Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

T1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

M41 vs T1: properties

M41T1

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

85 GPa12.3 Msi
84 GPa12.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

167 GPa24.2 Msi
165 GPa23.9 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

900 MPa131 ksi
860 MPa125 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

600 MPa87 ksi
560 MPa81.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

12%
20%

Reduction in Area

20%
32%

Compressive Strength

950 MPa138 ksi
1,400 MPa203 ksi

Shear Strength

560 MPa81.2 ksi
550 MPa79.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

390 MPa56.6 ksi
—

Hardness, Brinell

262 HB
235 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

100 HRB
99 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

275 HV
245 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 220 GPa31.9 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28 · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 25 J18.4 ft·lbf

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.16 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
8.7 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,250°C2,282 °F
1,340°C2,444 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,430°C2,606 °F
1,440°C2,624 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

550°C1,022 °F
400°C752 °F

Min Service Temperature

-50°C-58 °F
-60°C-76 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 21 W/m·K12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.9 % IACS
3.1 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 µΩ·in
5.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m21.7 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.52 V
-0.55 V

Corrosion Resistance

18 / 100
22 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
35 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

38%
30%

Weldability

18 / 100
15 / 100

Formability (cold)

12 / 100
15 / 100

Polishability

65 / 100
60 / 100

Castability

—
25 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb
52 MJ/kg22,356 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.8 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

120 L/kg14.4 gal/lb
90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
45%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

110 kN·m/kg
99 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

27 MN·m/kg
25.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

818 kJ/m³
713 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

6.1 mm²/s
5.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

8
7

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 scaleT1M41

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityM41T1
CNC machining—Yes
Default condition—Annealed
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall—0.8 mm
Best machined surface—Ra 1.6 µm
AlCrN—Yes
AlTiN—Yes
Black Oxide—Yes
CVD Al2O3—Yes
CVD TiCN—Yes
CVD TiN—Yes
Cerakote—Yes
Chrome Plating—Yes
CrN—Yes
DLC—Yes
E-Coating—Yes
HVOF Coating—Yes
Hot-Dip Galvanizing—Yes
MoS2—Yes
Multilayer CVD—Yes
Nickel Plating—Yes
PTFE Coating—Yes
Painting—Yes

They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.

M41 vs T1 — frequently asked

Is M41 stronger than T1?

Yes. M41 has a typical yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) for T1 — about 7% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 860 MPa (125 ksi).

Which is cheaper, M41 or T1?

T1 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while M41 is high ($$$$). 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, M41 or T1?

T1. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (30/100) for M41.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in M41 and T1 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.