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Stainless Steel 1.4589 vs 409

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 1.4589 and 409 are both stainless steel grades. 1.4589 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 409, about 20% more; tensile strength follows at 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) vs 450 MPa (65.3 ksi). In exchange, 409 is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 22% for 1.4589, and 1.4589 is harder (170 HB vs 150 HB). 1.4589 is stiffer (220 GPa vs 200 GPa).

1.4589Choose it when strength drives the design.

409Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

1.4589 vs 409: properties

1.4589409

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

220 GPa31.9 Msi
200 GPa29 Msi

Shear Modulus

85 GPa12.3 Msi
77 GPa11.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.28
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

490 MPa71.1 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

22%
30%

Reduction in Area

55%
65%

Compressive Strength

300 MPa43.5 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Shear Strength

330 MPa47.9 ksi
280 MPa40.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

240 MPa34.8 ksi
230 MPa33.4 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

45 J33.2 ft·lbf
40 J29.5 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

170 HB
150 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

86 HRB
80 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

180 HV
155 HV

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,420°C2,588 °F
1,482°C2,700 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,480°C2,696 °F
1,532°C2,790 °F

Same in both: Density 7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

25 W/m·K14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
24.9 W/m·K14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

10.5 µm/m·K5.8 µin/in·°F
11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

270 J/g116 BTU/lb
260 J/g112 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

700°C1,292 °F
675°C1,247 °F

Min Service Temperature

-40°C-40 °F
-20°C-4 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.9 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.2 V
-0.35 V

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
40 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

48 / 100
55 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

55%
65%

Weldability

72 / 100
80 / 100

Formability (cold)

60 / 100
78 / 100

Polishability

62 / 100
55 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb
40 MJ/kg17,197 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.6 kg CO₂/kg
2.9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb
90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 65%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

64 kN·m/kg
58 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

28.6 MN·m/kg
26 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

205 kJ/m³
156 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

7.1 mm²/s
7 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 5

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

3005007001,0001,5002,0007.27.47.67.888.2Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale1.4589409

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability1.4589409
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—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
Electropolishing—Yes
HVOF Coating—Yes
MoS2—Yes
Multilayer CVD—Yes
Nickel Plating—Yes
PTFE Coating—Yes
Painting—Yes
Passivation (Stainless Steel)—Yes

They share 7 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Pickling, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.

1.4589 vs 409 — frequently asked

Is 1.4589 stronger than 409?

Yes. 1.4589 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 409 — about 20% more. Tensile strength is 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) vs 450 MPa (65.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1.4589 or 409?

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, 1.4589 or 409?

409. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (48/100) for 1.4589; for welding the order is 409 first (very good, 80/100) then 1.4589 (very good, 72/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.4589 and 409 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.