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Steel SCM432 vs SCr445

Steel · grade comparison

Steel SCM432 and SCr445 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 850 MPa — strength does not separate them. SCM432 is the more ductile: elongation 17% versus 14% for SCr445. SCM432 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous). On the shop floor, SCM432 machines more easily (good vs fair) and SCM432 welds better (fair vs poor).

SCM432Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

SCM432 vs SCr445: properties

SCM432SCr445

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

1,000 MPa145 ksi
1,030 MPa149 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

850 MPa123 ksi
860 MPa125 ksi

Elongation at Break

17%
14%

Reduction in Area

56%
45%

Compressive Strength

860 MPa125 ksi
880 MPa128 ksi

Shear Strength

600 MPa87 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

470 MPa68.2 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

85 MPa·√m77.4 ksi·√in
60 MPa·√m54.6 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

60 J44.3 ft·lbf
45 J33.2 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

293 HB
302 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

31 HRC
32 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

308 HV
318 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 207 GPa30 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.83 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,420°C2,588 °F
1,425°C2,597 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,495°C2,723 °F
1,490°C2,714 °F

Thermal

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

Specific Heat Capacity

473 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
475 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
350°C662 °F

Min Service Temperature

-40°C-40 °F
-25°C-13 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

7.8 % IACS
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).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.62 V
-0.6 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 12 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

55 / 100
42 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

55%
45%

Weldability

45 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

40 / 100
20 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Polishability

65 / 100
60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

28 MJ/kg12,038 BTU/lb
30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.1 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

127 kN·m/kg
132 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,745 kJ/m³
1,786 kJ/m³

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

16
17

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.4 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 11.3 mm²/s

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 scaleSCr445SCM432

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilitySCM432SCr445
Default condition——
Relative cost$ Budget$ Budget
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.

SCM432 vs SCr445 — frequently asked

What is the difference between SCM432 and SCr445?

Steel SCM432 and SCr445 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 850 MPa — strength does not separate them. SCM432 is the more ductile: elongation 17% versus 14% for SCr445.

Which is cheaper, SCM432 or SCr445?

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, SCM432 or SCr445?

SCM432. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (42/100) for SCr445; for welding the order is SCM432 first (fair, 45/100) then SCr445 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SCM432 and SCr445 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.