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Steel SKH51 vs T1

Steel · grade comparison

Steel SKH51 and T1 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 550 MPa — strength does not separate them. SKH51 is lighter (8.16 g/cm³ vs 8.7 g/cm³ for T1).

SKH51Choose it when weight is the constraint.

SKH51 vs T1: properties

SKH51T1

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

217 GPa31.5 Msi
220 GPa31.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

160 GPa23.2 Msi
165 GPa23.9 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

850 MPa123 ksi
860 MPa125 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
560 MPa81.2 ksi

Reduction in Area

35%
32%

Compressive Strength

900 MPa131 ksi
1,400 MPa203 ksi

Shear Strength

560 MPa81.2 ksi
550 MPa79.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

380 MPa55.1 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

30 MPa·√m27.3 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

30 J22.1 ft·lbf
25 J18.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

240 HB
235 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

22 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

250 HV
245 HV

Same in both: Shear Modulus 84 GPa12.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28 · Elongation at Break 20% · Hardness, Rockwell B 99 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.16 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
8.7 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,370°C2,498 °F
1,340°C2,444 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,450°C2,642 °F
1,440°C2,624 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

22 W/m·K12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
21 W/m·K12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11 µm/m·K6.1 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.9 % IACS
3.1 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

5.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.2 µΩ·in
5.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m21.7 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

16 / 100
22 / 100

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

—
-0.55 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
35 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

35%
30%

Weldability

20 / 100
15 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Same in both: Formability (cold) 15 / 100 · Castability 25 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb
52 MJ/kg22,356 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.2 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 45%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

104 kN·m/kg
99 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.6 MN·m/kg
25.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

697 kJ/m³
713 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

6.4 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 scaleT1SKH51

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilitySKH51T1
CNC machining—Yes
Default condition—Annealed
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$ 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.

SKH51 vs T1 — frequently asked

What is the difference between SKH51 and T1?

Steel SKH51 and T1 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 550 MPa — strength does not separate them. SKH51 is lighter (8.16 g/cm³ vs 8.7 g/cm³ for T1).

Which is cheaper, SKH51 or T1?

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

Which is easier to machine, SKH51 or T1?

T1. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (30/100) for SKH51; for welding the order is SKH51 first (poor, 20/100) then T1 (poor, 15/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SKH51 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.