Steel Medium Carbon Steel vs Mild Steel
Steel · grade comparison
Steel Medium Carbon Steel and Mild Steel are both steel grades. Medium Carbon Steel is the stronger of the two: yield strength 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for Mild Steel, about 32% more; tensile strength follows at 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) vs 400 MPa (58 ksi). In exchange, Mild Steel is the more ductile: elongation 24% versus 16% for Medium Carbon Steel, and Medium Carbon Steel is harder (179 HB vs 120 HB). On the shop floor, Mild Steel welds better (excellent vs fair) and Medium Carbon Steel sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than Mild Steel (standard, $$).
Medium Carbon SteelChoose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Mild SteelChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
Medium 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
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
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
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 247 J/g106 BTU/lb · 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 Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Same in both: Embodied Water 40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%
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 | Medium Carbon Steel | Mild Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | HR | HR |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ 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.
Medium Carbon Steel vs Mild Steel — frequently asked
Is Medium Carbon Steel stronger than Mild Steel?
Yes. Medium Carbon Steel has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for Mild Steel — about 32% more. Tensile strength is 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) vs 400 MPa (58 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Medium Carbon Steel or Mild Steel?
Medium Carbon Steel is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while Mild Steel is standard ($$). 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, Medium Carbon Steel or Mild Steel?
Mild Steel, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 60/100 against 55/100 for Medium Carbon Steel; for welding the order is Mild Steel first (excellent, 95/100) then Medium Carbon Steel (fair, 50/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Medium 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.