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Steel SKH2 vs T1

Steel · grade comparison

Steel SKH2 and T1 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 540 MPa — strength does not separate them. T1 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 18% for SKH2. T1 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, T1 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than SKH2 (high, $$$$).

T1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

SKH2 vs T1: properties

SKH2T1

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

85 GPa12.3 Msi
84 GPa12.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

167 GPa24.2 Msi
165 GPa23.9 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

880 MPa128 ksi
860 MPa125 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

540 MPa78.3 ksi
560 MPa81.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

18%
20%

Reduction in Area

30%
32%

Compressive Strength

900 MPa131 ksi
1,400 MPa203 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

240 HB
235 HB

Hardness, Vickers

253 HV
245 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 220 GPa31.9 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28 · Shear Strength 550 MPa79.8 ksi · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 25 J18.4 ft·lbf · Hardness, Rockwell B 99 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.67 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.7 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,290°C2,354 °F
1,340°C2,444 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,430°C2,606 °F
1,440°C2,624 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

10.6 µm/m·K5.9 µin/in·°F
11 µm/m·K6.1 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
400°C752 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 21 W/m·K12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 3.1 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 5.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m21.7 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.45 V
-0.55 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 22 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

45%
30%

Weldability

18 / 100
15 / 100

Formability (cold)

12 / 100
15 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
60 / 100

Castability

—
25 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 35 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

48 MJ/kg20,636 BTU/lb
52 MJ/kg22,356 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.4 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

70 L/kg8.4 gal/lb
90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

35%
45%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

101 kN·m/kg
99 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.4 MN·m/kg
25.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

663 kJ/m³
713 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

5.8 mm²/s
5.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

8
7

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 scaleT1SKH2

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilitySKH2T1
CNC machining—Yes
Default condition—Annealed
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$ Premium
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.

SKH2 vs T1 — frequently asked

What is the difference between SKH2 and T1?

Steel SKH2 and T1 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 540 MPa — strength does not separate them. T1 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 18% for SKH2.

Which is cheaper, SKH2 or T1?

T1 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while SKH2 is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

When should I choose SKH2 over T1?

Pick T1 when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SKH2 and T1 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.