Steel SUJ2 vs SUJ3
Steel · grade comparison
Steel SUJ2 and SUJ3 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 420 MPa — strength does not separate them. SUJ2 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 21% for SUJ3. SUJ3 conducts electricity better (8 % IACS vs 7 % IACS). On the shop floor, SUJ3 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than SUJ2 (standard, $$).
SUJ2Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
SUJ3Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.
SUJ2 vs SUJ3: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 660 MPa95.7 ksi · Reduction in Area 45% · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 30 J22.1 ft·lbf · Hardness, Rockwell B 92 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.81 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 12 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Weldability
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Machinability 45 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 40% · Formability (cold) 35 / 100 · Polishability 85 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 85 kN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 12
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | SUJ2 | SUJ3 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Annealed | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget |
| 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.
SUJ2 vs SUJ3 — frequently asked
What is the difference between SUJ2 and SUJ3?
Steel SUJ2 and SUJ3 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 420 MPa — strength does not separate them. SUJ2 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 21% for SUJ3.
Which is cheaper, SUJ2 or SUJ3?
SUJ3 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while SUJ2 is standard ($$). 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 SUJ2 over SUJ3?
Pick SUJ2 when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded. Pick SUJ3 when cost is the deciding factor.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SUJ2 and SUJ3 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.