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Steel ZG270-500 vs ZG340-640

Steel · grade comparison

Steel ZG270-500 and ZG340-640 are both steel grades. ZG340-640 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for ZG270-500, about 20% more; tensile strength follows at 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) vs 540 MPa (78.3 ksi). In exchange, ZG270-500 is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 11% for ZG340-640, and ZG340-640 is harder (210 HB vs 160 HB). ZG270-500 conducts electricity better (10 % IACS vs 8.6 % IACS). On the shop floor, ZG270-500 welds better (very good vs fair).

ZG270-500Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

ZG340-640Choose it when strength drives the design.

ZG270-500 vs ZG340-640: properties

ZG270-500ZG340-640

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

202 GPa29.3 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

78 GPa11.3 Msi
79 GPa11.5 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

540 MPa78.3 ksi
660 MPa95.7 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
360 MPa52.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

22%
11%

Reduction in Area

33%
20%

Compressive Strength

300 MPa43.5 ksi
660 MPa95.7 ksi

Shear Strength

380 MPa55.1 ksi
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

230 MPa33.4 ksi
270 MPa39.2 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

75 MPa·√m68.3 ksi·√in
50 MPa·√m45.5 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

27 J19.9 ft·lbf
12 J8.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

160 HB
210 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

84 HRB
94 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

168 HV
220 HV

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Liquidus Temperature

1,495°C2,723 °F
1,490°C2,714 °F

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

48 W/m·K27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
45 W/m·K26 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

270 J/g116 BTU/lb
250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

425°C797 °F
400°C752 °F

Min Service Temperature

-29°C-20 °F
-20°C-4 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10 % IACS
8.6 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in
2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.87 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.61 V
-0.62 V

Corrosion Resistance

11 / 100
10 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

58 / 100
50 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

60%
55%

Weldability

72 / 100
35 / 100

Formability (cold)

25 / 100
15 / 100

Castability

68 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb
24 MJ/kg10,318 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

50 L/kg6 gal/lb
45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

85%
80%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

69 kN·m/kg
84 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.8 MN·m/kg
26.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

223 kJ/m³
316 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13 mm²/s
12.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

11
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.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleZG270-500ZG340-640

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityZG270-500ZG340-640
Default condition——
Relative cost$$ Standard$$ Standard
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.

ZG270-500 vs ZG340-640 — frequently asked

Is ZG340-640 stronger than ZG270-500?

Yes. ZG340-640 has a typical yield strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for ZG270-500 — about 20% more. Tensile strength is 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) vs 540 MPa (78.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, ZG270-500 or ZG340-640?

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

Which is easier to machine, ZG270-500 or ZG340-640?

ZG270-500. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (50/100) for ZG340-640; for welding the order is ZG270-500 first (very good, 72/100) then ZG340-640 (fair, 35/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ZG270-500 and ZG340-640 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.