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Steel SKH57 vs T1

Steel · grade comparison

Steel SKH57 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 10% for SKH57, and SKH57 is harder (265 HB vs 235 HB). SKH57 is lighter (8.3 g/cm³ vs 8.7 g/cm³ for T1). On the shop floor, T1 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and T1 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than SKH57 (high, $$$$).

SKH57Choose it when weight is the constraint.

T1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

SKH57 vs T1: properties

SKH57T1

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

225 GPa32.6 Msi
220 GPa31.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

86 GPa12.5 Msi
84 GPa12.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.28

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

10%
20%

Compressive Strength

1,000 MPa145 ksi
1,400 MPa203 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

22 MPa·√m20 ksi·√in
—

Hardness, Brinell

265 HB
235 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

26 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

275 HV
245 HV

Reduction in Area

—
32%

Shear Strength

—
550 MPa79.8 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
25 J18.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
99 HRB

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 165 GPa23.9 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.3 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
8.7 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,260°C2,300 °F
1,340°C2,444 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,400°C2,552 °F
1,440°C2,624 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

19 W/m·K11 BTU/hr·ft·°F
21 W/m·K12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

10.2 µm/m·K5.7 µin/in·°F
11 µm/m·K6.1 µin/in·°F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°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

6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 µΩ·in
5.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m21.7 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

20 / 100
22 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.55 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
35 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

25%
30%

Weldability

12 / 100
15 / 100

Formability (cold)

8 / 100
15 / 100

Castability

20 / 100
25 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb
52 MJ/kg22,356 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.5 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

35%
45%

Same in both: Embodied Water 90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

106 kN·m/kg
99 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

27.1 MN·m/kg
25.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

648 kJ/m³
713 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

5.5 mm²/s
5.7 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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 scaleT1SKH57

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilitySKH57T1
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.

SKH57 vs T1 — frequently asked

What is the difference between SKH57 and T1?

Steel SKH57 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 10% for SKH57, and SKH57 is harder (265 HB vs 235 HB).

Which is cheaper, SKH57 or T1?

T1 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while SKH57 is high ($$$$). 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, SKH57 or T1?

T1. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (25/100) for SKH57.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SKH57 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.