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Steel S700MC vs SMA490W

Steel · grade comparison

Steel S700MC and SMA490W are both steel grades. S700MC is the stronger of the two: yield strength 740 MPa (107 ksi) against 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) for SMA490W, about 90% more; tensile strength follows at 810 MPa (117 ksi) vs 540 MPa (78.3 ksi). In exchange, SMA490W is the more ductile: elongation 24% versus 14% for S700MC, and S700MC is harder (245 HB vs 160 HB). SMA490W runs hotter in service (350°C vs 300°C continuous) and SMA490W conducts heat better (46 W/m·K vs 40 W/m·K). On the shop floor, SMA490W machines more easily (good vs fair) and SMA490W sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than S700MC (standard, $$).

S700MCChoose it when strength drives the design.

SMA490WChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

S700MC vs SMA490W: properties

S700MCSMA490W

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

210 GPa30.5 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

81 GPa11.7 Msi
79 GPa11.5 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

810 MPa117 ksi
540 MPa78.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

740 MPa107 ksi
390 MPa56.6 ksi

Elongation at Break

14%
24%

Reduction in Area

55%
50%

Compressive Strength

740 MPa107 ksi
390 MPa56.6 ksi

Shear Strength

490 MPa71.1 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

360 MPa52.2 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in
90 MPa·√m81.9 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

90 J66.4 ft·lbf
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

245 HB
160 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

100 HRB
84 HRB

Hardness, Rockwell C

23 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

255 HV
168 HV

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,460°C2,660 °F
1,470°C2,678 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,510°C2,750 °F
1,515°C2,759 °F

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

40 W/m·K23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
46 W/m·K26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
350°C662 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

8 % IACS
7.8 % IACS

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

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

12 / 100
32 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.62 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

45 / 100
55 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

50%
60%

Weldability

85 / 100
80 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

50 / 100
—

Polishability

50 / 100
40 / 100

Same in both: Formability (cold) 65 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2 kg CO₂/kg
2.1 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

103 kN·m/kg
69 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.8 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,304 kJ/m³
371 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

10.8 mm²/s
12.5 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

13
10

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 scaleS700MCSMA490W

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityS700MCSMA490W
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionTMCP—
Relative cost$$ Standard$ Budget
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——
Black OxideYes—
CerakoteYes—
Chrome PlatingYes—
E-CoatingYes—
Hot-Dip GalvanizingYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PTFE CoatingYes—
PaintingYes—
Powder CoatingYes—
Tin PlatingYes—
Zinc PlatingYes—
Zinc-Flake (Dip-Spin) CoatingYes—
Zinc-Nickel PlatingYes—

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

S700MC vs SMA490W — frequently asked

Is S700MC stronger than SMA490W?

Yes. S700MC has a typical yield strength of 740 MPa (107 ksi) against 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) for SMA490W — about 90% more. Tensile strength is 810 MPa (117 ksi) vs 540 MPa (78.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, S700MC or SMA490W?

SMA490W 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, S700MC or SMA490W?

SMA490W. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (45/100) for S700MC; for welding the order is S700MC first (excellent, 85/100) then SMA490W (very good, 80/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in S700MC and SMA490W 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.