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Stainless Steel 1.4621 vs 409

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 1.4621 and 409 are both stainless steel grades. 1.4621 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 409, about 20% more. 1.4621 is harder — 165 HB against 150 HB for 409 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 1.4621 is stiffer (220 GPa vs 200 GPa) and 1.4621 runs hotter in service (950°C vs 675°C continuous). On the shop floor, 1.4621 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 409 (premium, $$$).

1.4621Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

1.4621 vs 409: properties

1.4621409

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

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

470 MPa68.2 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Compressive Strength

300 MPa43.5 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Shear Strength

290 MPa42.1 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

165 HB
150 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

85 HRB
80 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

175 HV
155 HV

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Elongation at Break 30% · Reduction in Area 65%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,450°C2,642 °F
1,482°C2,700 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,505°C2,741 °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

23 W/m·K13.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
24.9 W/m·K14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

10.4 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)

950°C1,742 °F
675°C1,247 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °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

62 / 100
40 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

55%
65%

Formability (cold)

80 / 100
78 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

65 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
55 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 55 / 100 · Weldability 80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb
40 MJ/kg17,197 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.2 kg CO₂/kg
2.9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

100 L/kg12 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)

61 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

6.5 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 scale1.4621409

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability1.4621409
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—Annealed
Relative cost$$ Standard$$$ 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.

1.4621 vs 409 — frequently asked

Is 1.4621 stronger than 409?

Yes. 1.4621 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 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) vs 450 MPa (65.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1.4621 or 409?

1.4621 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 409 is premium ($$$). 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 1.4621 over 409?

Pick 1.4621 when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.4621 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.