Steel grade comparisons
Side-by-side tables for the pairs engineers and buyers actually choose between, with the numbers from both standards, the cost and fabrication differences, and a clear verdict on when each grade is right.
1.4301 vs 1.44041.4301 vs 1.4404 (V2A vs V4A): 1.4404 adds 2–2.5 % Mo for chloride resistance (PREN 24 vs 18), costs 25–40 % more; strength, magnetism and weldability are equal. EN 10088 numbers side by side and when V4A is worth it.1018 vs 41401018 vs 4140 steel: cold-drawn 1018 ≈ 370 MPa yield, not hardenable, weldable; 4140 ≈ 415 MPa annealed and 900–1600 MPa heat-treated, hardenable to 55 HRC, hard to weld. Full table and when each is right.1045 vs 41401045 vs 4140: same 0.45 % carbon, but 4140's Cr-Mo gives deep hardenability (50–75 mm vs 20 mm), higher Q&T strength (to 1600 MPa) and better toughness. 1045 is cheaper and machines easier. Table and buying guide.304 vs 316304 vs 316 stainless steel: 316 adds 2–3 % molybdenum for chloride resistance (PREN 24 vs 18) at 20–40 % higher cost; strength, magnetism and weldability are the same. Full table and when to pay for 316.A36 vs 1018A36 vs 1018: A36 is an ASTM structural spec (≥ 250 MPa yield, loose chemistry, plate/shapes); 1018 is an AISI chemistry grade (0.18 % C, no guaranteed strength, cold-drawn bar ≈ 370 MPa). Same family of mild steel, different rules — table and when each applies.A36 vs A572 Grade 50A36 vs A572 Grade 50: yield 250 vs 345 MPa (36 vs 50 ksi), tensile 400–550 vs ≥ 450 MPa, price +3–8 %, weight saving 25–30 % in strength-governed members. Chemistry, weldability, forming and when each US structural steel is right.A36 vs S235JRA36 vs S235JR: US and EU mild structural steels — yield 250 vs 235 MPa, tensile 400–550 vs 360–510 MPa, Charpy none vs 27 J at +20 °C, carbon ≤ 0.25–0.29 vs 0.17 %. Substitution rules in both directions and the S275 option.DC01 vs DX51DDC01 vs DX51D: DC01 is uncoated cold-rolled sheet (EN 10130, yield 140–280 MPa, 28 % elongation); DX51D is hot-dip galvanized bending-quality sheet (EN 10346, no yield minimum, 22 %). Same steel, coated or not — table, coating codes and which to buy.DC01 vs S235JRDC01 vs S235JR: DC01 is cold-rolled forming sheet (EN 10130, yield 140–280 MPa, no minimum guarantee); S235JR is hot-rolled structural steel (EN 10025-2, yield ≥ 235 MPa, 27 J impact). Same low-carbon steel, different guarantees — table and buying guide.S235JR vs P265GHS235JR vs P265GH (and P235GH): structural vs pressure-vessel steel — similar strength (235–265 MPa yield) but P…GH adds guaranteed yield to 400 °C, −20 °C impact, S ≤ 0.010 %, normalizing and per-plate PED testing. Why you cannot swap them, with the full table.S235JR vs S355J2S235 vs S355: yield 235 vs 355 MPa, tensile 360–510 vs 470–630 MPa, price +5–10 %, weldability CEV 0.35 vs 0.45. Which EN 10025 structural steel to choose, with the full side-by-side table.St37 vs St52St37 vs St52 (DIN 17100): yield 235 vs 355 MPa, tensile 340–470 vs 490–630 MPa. Both withdrawn — today S235JR and S355J2. Side-by-side table, the St44 middle grade, and what to order now.
How to compare two steel grades
Compare on five axes in this order: (1) guaranteed strength — minimum yield and tensile in the thickness you will use, not the typical values; (2) toughness — Charpy energy and temperature, or its absence; (3) chemistry that drives fabrication — carbon and carbon equivalent for welding, sulphur for machining, Mo/Cr/N for corrosion; (4) delivery condition and testing — normalized or as-rolled, per-heat or per-plate certification, code acceptance; (5) cost and availability in the form you need. A grade that wins on strength but loses on weldability or code status is usually the wrong choice.
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Every grade page lists its nearest alternatives with a graded equivalence and reason; start from the steel grades chart or the search box.