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Steel S500MC vs S700MC

Steel · grade comparison

Steel S500MC and S700MC are both steel grades. S700MC is the stronger of the two: yield strength 740 MPa (107 ksi) against 545 MPa (79 ksi) for S500MC, about 36% more; tensile strength follows at 810 MPa (117 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi). In exchange, S500MC is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 14% for S700MC, and S700MC is harder (245 HB vs 185 HB). S500MC conducts heat better (45 W/m·K vs 40 W/m·K). On the shop floor, S500MC sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than S700MC (standard, $$).

S500MCChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

S700MCChoose it when strength drives the design.

S500MC vs S700MC: properties

S500MCS700MC

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

600 MPa87 ksi
810 MPa117 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

545 MPa79 ksi
740 MPa107 ksi

Elongation at Break

20%
14%

Reduction in Area

60%
55%

Compressive Strength

545 MPa79 ksi
740 MPa107 ksi

Shear Strength

380 MPa55.1 ksi
490 MPa71.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

280 MPa40.6 ksi
360 MPa52.2 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in
100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in

Hardness, Brinell

185 HB
245 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

91 HRB
100 HRB

Hardness, Rockwell C

11 HRC
23 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

195 HV
255 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 81 GPa11.7 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 90 J66.4 ft·lbf

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

45 W/m·K26 BTU/hr·ft·°F
40 W/m·K23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.5 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 300°C572 °F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 8 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.65 V
-0.62 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 12 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

52 / 100
45 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

55%
50%

Formability (cold)

72 / 100
65 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
50 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
50 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 85 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

28 MJ/kg12,038 BTU/lb
25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.1 kg CO₂/kg
2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

76 kN·m/kg
103 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

707 kJ/m³
1,304 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

12.2 mm²/s
10.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

10
13

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 scaleS700MCS500MC

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityS500MCS700MC
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—TMCP
Relative cost$ Budget$$ Standard
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.

S500MC vs S700MC — frequently asked

Is S700MC stronger than S500MC?

Yes. S700MC has a typical yield strength of 740 MPa (107 ksi) against 545 MPa (79 ksi) for S500MC — about 36% more. Tensile strength is 810 MPa (117 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi).

Which is cheaper, S500MC or S700MC?

S500MC is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while S700MC 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, S500MC or S700MC?

S500MC, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 52/100 against 45/100 for S700MC.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in S500MC and S700MC 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.