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Stainless Steel 1.4634 vs 405

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 1.4634 and 405 are both stainless steel grades. 1.4634 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) for 405, about 11% more. 1.4634 is harder — 170 HB against 155 HB for 405 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 1.4634 is stiffer (220 GPa vs 200 GPa) and 1.4634 runs hotter in service (950°C vs 705°C continuous). On the shop floor, 405 machines more easily (good vs fair) and 1.4634 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 405 (premium, $$$).

1.4634Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

405Choose it when the part is machined in volume.

1.4634 vs 405: properties

1.4634405

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

0.3
0.28

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

310 MPa45 ksi
280 MPa40.6 ksi

Elongation at Break

26%
28%

Shear Strength

320 MPa46.4 ksi
310 MPa45 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

215 MPa31.2 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

30 J22.1 ft·lbf
25 J18.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

170 HB
155 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

85 HRB
82 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

180 HV
—

Reduction in Area

—
60%

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 480 MPa69.6 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Liquidus Temperature

1,520°C2,768 °F
1,530°C2,786 °F

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,480°C2,696 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

24 W/m·K13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
27 W/m·K15.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

950°C1,742 °F
705°C1,301 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.7 % IACS
2.9 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m25.6 µΩ·in
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
-0.3 V

Corrosion Resistance

50 / 100
45 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

42 / 100
55 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

50%
60%

Formability (cold)

58 / 100
60 / 100

Castability

—
40 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 70 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb
50 MJ/kg21,496 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.4 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb
140 L/kg16.8 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 65%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

28.6 MN·m/kg
25.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

218 kJ/m³
196 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

6.8 mm²/s
7.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

5
6

Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 62 kN·m/kg

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 scale1.4634405

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability1.4634405
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.

1.4634 vs 405 — frequently asked

Is 1.4634 stronger than 405?

Yes. 1.4634 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) for 405 — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1.4634 or 405?

1.4634 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 405 is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, 1.4634 or 405?

405. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (42/100) for 1.4634.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.4634 and 405 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.