Steel MS1700 vs SPFC590
Steel · grade comparison
Steel MS1700 and SPFC590 are both steel grades. MS1700 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for SPFC590, about 3.8 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,780 MPa (258 ksi) vs 630 MPa (91.4 ksi). In exchange, SPFC590 is the more ductile: elongation 27% versus 4% for MS1700, and MS1700 is harder (50 HRC vs 10 HRC). SPFC590 runs hotter in service (300°C vs 200°C continuous) and SPFC590 conducts heat better (46 W/m·K vs 32 W/m·K). On the shop floor, SPFC590 machines more easily (fair vs poor), SPFC590 welds better (very good vs good), and SPFC590 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than MS1700 (standard, $$).
MS1700Choose it when strength drives the design.
SPFC590Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
MS1700 vs SPFC590: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Reduction in Area
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi
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
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 12 / 100
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
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Same in both: Embodied Water 45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 25%
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 | MS1700 | SPFC590 |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | CR | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Black Oxide | Yes | — |
| Cerakote | Yes | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| E-Coating | Yes | — |
| Hot-Dip Galvanizing | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| PTFE Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Powder Coating | Yes | — |
| Tin Plating | Yes | — |
| Zinc Plating | Yes | — |
| Zinc-Flake (Dip-Spin) Coating | Yes | — |
| Zinc-Nickel Plating | 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.
MS1700 vs SPFC590 — frequently asked
Is MS1700 stronger than SPFC590?
Yes. MS1700 has a typical yield strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for SPFC590 — about 3.8 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,780 MPa (258 ksi) vs 630 MPa (91.4 ksi).
Which is cheaper, MS1700 or SPFC590?
SPFC590 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while MS1700 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, MS1700 or SPFC590?
SPFC590. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (20/100) for MS1700; for welding the order is SPFC590 first (very good, 78/100) then MS1700 (good, 55/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in MS1700 and SPFC590 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.