Stainless Steel 420 vs S30V
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 420 and S30V are both stainless steel grades. S30V is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for 420, about 72% more; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi). In exchange, 420 is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 10% for S30V, and S30V is harder (255 HB vs 200 HB). S30V is lighter (7.43 g/cm³ vs 7.75 g/cm³ for 420) and S30V is stiffer (214 GPa vs 200 GPa). On the shop floor, 420 machines more easily (fair vs poor), 420 welds better (poor vs not recommended), and 420 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than S30V (specialty, $$$$$).
420Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
S30VChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
420 vs S30V: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Rockwell C
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 8
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 420 | S30V |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Annealed | Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining. Both take the same 32 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, CrN, DLC, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing and 20 more.
420 vs S30V — frequently asked
Is S30V stronger than 420?
Yes. S30V has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for 420 — about 72% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 420 or S30V?
420 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while S30V is specialty ($$$$$). 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, 420 or S30V?
420. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (25/100) for S30V; for welding the order is 420 first (poor, 25/100) then S30V (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 420 and S30V 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.