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Steel M62 vs T8

Steel · grade comparison

Steel M62 and T8 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 560 MPa — strength does not separate them. T8 is the more ductile: elongation 15% versus 12% for M62, and M62 is harder (255 HB vs 240 HB). M62 is lighter (8.16 g/cm³ vs 8.6 g/cm³ for T8) and M62 runs hotter in service (500°C vs 400°C continuous). On the shop floor, T8 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than M62 (high, $$$$).

M62Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

T8Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

M62 vs T8: properties

M62T8

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

221 GPa32.1 Msi
220 GPa31.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

168 GPa24.4 Msi
170 GPa24.7 Msi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

560 MPa81.2 ksi
570 MPa82.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

12%
15%

Reduction in Area

20%
25%

Shear Strength

600 MPa87 ksi
—

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

400 MPa58 ksi
—

Hardness, Brinell

255 HB
240 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

102 HRB
99 HRB

Hardness, Rockwell C

25 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

268 HV
250 HV

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
25 J18.4 ft·lbf

Same in both: Shear Modulus 85 GPa12.3 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 900 MPa131 ksi · Compressive Strength 1,200 MPa174 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,230°C2,246 °F
1,400°C2,552 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,430°C2,606 °F
1,460°C2,660 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

24 W/m·K13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
22 W/m·K12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

10.8 µm/m·K6 µin/in·°F
11.2 µm/m·K6.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

500°C932 °F
400°C752 °F

Min Service Temperature

-60°C-76 °F
-40°C-40 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 3.1 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 5.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m21.7 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.45 V
-0.6 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 18 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

28 / 100
35 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
40%

Weldability

20 / 100
15 / 100

Formability (cold)

10 / 100
12 / 100

Castability

25 / 100
—

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

78 MJ/kg33,534 BTU/lb
60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5.6 kg CO₂/kg
4.2 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

30%
35%

Same in both: Embodied Water 90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

110 kN·m/kg
105 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

27.1 MN·m/kg
25.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

710 kJ/m³
738 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

7 mm²/s
6.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

9
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 scaleT8M62

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityM62T8
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.

M62 vs T8 — frequently asked

What is the difference between M62 and T8?

Steel M62 and T8 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 560 MPa — strength does not separate them. T8 is the more ductile: elongation 15% versus 12% for M62, and M62 is harder (255 HB vs 240 HB).

Which is cheaper, M62 or T8?

T8 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while M62 is high ($$$$). 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, M62 or T8?

T8. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (28/100) for M62; for welding the order is M62 first (poor, 20/100) then T8 (poor, 15/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in M62 and T8 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.