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Steel Q235B vs Q235D

Steel · grade comparison

Steel Q235B and Q235D are both steel grades. Q235D is the stronger of the two: yield strength 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for Q235B, about 6% more. Q235D is harder — 130 HB against 120 HB for Q235B — which matters for wear surfaces and threads.

Q235DChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

Q235B vs Q235D: properties

Q235BQ235D

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

420 MPa60.9 ksi
430 MPa62.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
265 MPa38.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

28%
29%

Compressive Strength

250 MPa36.3 ksi
265 MPa38.4 ksi

Shear Strength

260 MPa37.7 ksi
270 MPa39.2 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

45 J33.2 ft·lbf
80 J59 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

120 HB
130 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

67 HRB
72 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

126 HV
137 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 206 GPa29.9 Msi · Shear Modulus 79 GPa11.5 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Reduction in Area 55% · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 190 MPa27.6 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,495°C2,723 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,520°C2,768 °F

Thermal

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

Specific Heat Capacity

470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

270 J/g116 BTU/lb
250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 350°C662 °F · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 10.8 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.63 V
-0.65 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 10 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

65 / 100
70 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

70%
68%

Castability

40 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

65 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

40 / 100
45 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 95 / 100 · Formability (cold) 85 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2 kg CO₂/kg
2.1 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

30 L/kg3.6 gal/lb
45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

25%
22%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

54 kN·m/kg
55 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

152 kJ/m³
170 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.6 mm²/s
13.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

8
9

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.2 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 scaleQ235BQ235D

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityQ235BQ235D
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionHR—
Relative cost$ Budget$ Budget
Min. machined wall0.8 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µm—
AlCrNYes—
AlTiNYes—
Black OxideYes—
CVD Al2O3Yes—
CVD TiCNYes—
CVD TiNYes—
CerakoteYes—
Chrome PlatingYes—
CrNYes—
DLCYes—
E-CoatingYes—
HVOF CoatingYes—
Hot-Dip GalvanizingYes—
MoS2Yes—
Multilayer CVDYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PTFE CoatingYes—
PaintingYes—

They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.

Q235B vs Q235D — frequently asked

Is Q235D stronger than Q235B?

Yes. Q235D has a typical yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for Q235B — about 6% more. Tensile strength is 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) vs 420 MPa (60.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Q235B or Q235D?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($, budget); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, Q235B or Q235D?

Q235D. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against good (65/100) for Q235B.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Q235B and Q235D 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.