Steel P1 vs P5
Steel · grade comparison
Steel P1 and P5 are both steel grades. P5 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for P1, about 21% more; tensile strength follows at 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) vs 380 MPa (55.1 ksi). In exchange, P1 is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 30% for P5, and P1 is harder (120 HB vs 110 HB). P1 conducts heat better (50 W/m·K vs 36 W/m·K). On the shop floor, P5 machines more easily (very good vs good), P1 welds better (excellent vs good), and P1 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than P5 (premium, $$$).
P1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
P5Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
P1 vs P5: 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.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
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: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 205 GPa29.7 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Reduction in Area 62%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 350°C662 °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)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: 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 | P1 | P5 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
P1 vs P5 — frequently asked
Is P5 stronger than P1?
Yes. P5 has a typical yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for P1 — about 21% more. Tensile strength is 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) vs 380 MPa (55.1 ksi).
Which is cheaper, P1 or P5?
P1 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while P5 is premium ($$$). 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, P1 or P5?
P5. Its machinability rates very good (72/100) against good (60/100) for P1; for welding the order is P1 first (excellent, 85/100) then P5 (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in P1 and P5 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.