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Steel P275NL2 vs P355GH

Steel · grade comparison

Steel P275NL2 and P355GH are both steel grades. P355GH is the stronger of the two: yield strength 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for P275NL2, about 24% more; tensile strength follows at 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 450 MPa (65.3 ksi). In exchange, P275NL2 is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 24% for P355GH, and P355GH is harder (165 HB vs 135 HB). P275NL2 conducts electricity better (9.5 % IACS vs 8.2 % IACS). On the shop floor, P275NL2 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than P355GH (standard, $$).

P275NL2Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

P355GHChoose it when strength drives the design.

P275NL2 vs P355GH: properties

P275NL2P355GH

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

450 MPa65.3 ksi
550 MPa79.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

310 MPa45 ksi
385 MPa55.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

30%
24%

Reduction in Area

58%
50%

Compressive Strength

310 MPa45 ksi
385 MPa55.8 ksi

Shear Strength

290 MPa42.1 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

200 MPa29 ksi
245 MPa35.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in
100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

150 J111 ft·lbf
70 J51.6 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

135 HB
165 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

74 HRB
85 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

142 HV
173 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 81 GPa11.7 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Liquidus Temperature

1,520°C2,768 °F
1,510°C2,750 °F

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,460°C2,660 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

49 W/m·K28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
48 W/m·K27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

270 J/g116 BTU/lb
260 J/g112 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
380°C716 °F

Min Service Temperature

-50°C-58 °F
-10°C14 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 461 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

9.5 % IACS
8.2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.09 µΩ·in
2.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.27 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.62 V · Corrosion Resistance 12 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

62 / 100
58 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

65%
62%

Weldability

92 / 100
85 / 100

Formability (cold)

72 / 100
64 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
50 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 45 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.1 kg CO₂/kg
1.9 kg CO₂/kg

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb · Embodied Water 40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

57 kN·m/kg
70 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

229 kJ/m³
353 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.5 mm²/s
13.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

9
10

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.8 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.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleP355GHP275NL2

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityP275NL2P355GH
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—HR
Relative cost$ Budget$$ Standard
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.

P275NL2 vs P355GH — frequently asked

Is P355GH stronger than P275NL2?

Yes. P355GH has a typical yield strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for P275NL2 — about 24% more. Tensile strength is 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 450 MPa (65.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, P275NL2 or P355GH?

P275NL2 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while P355GH 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 welds better, P275NL2 or P355GH?

P275NL2. Its weldability rates excellent (92/100) against excellent (85/100) for P355GH.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in P275NL2 and P355GH 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.