Stainless Steel 420 vs S42030
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 420 and S42030 are both stainless steel grades. S42030 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for 420, about 6% more. On the shop floor, S42030 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 420 (premium, $$$).
S42030Choose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.
420 vs S42030: 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.
Poisson's Ratio
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 78 GPa11.3 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 690 MPa100 ksi · Elongation at Break 22% · Reduction in Area 55% · Shear Strength 420 MPa60.9 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 350 MPa50.8 ksi · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 25 J18.4 ft·lbf
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Density 7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Liquidus Temperature 1,510°C2,750 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 24.9 W/m·K14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.3 µm/m·K5.7 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 650°C1,202 °F · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 3.1 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 5.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m21.7 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.3 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 45% · Weldability 25 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100 · Polishability 85 / 100
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.
Modulus of Resilience
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 89 kN·m/kg · Specific Stiffness (E / density) 25.8 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 7 mm²/s · 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 | S42030 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Annealed | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ Standard |
| 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.
420 vs S42030 — frequently asked
Is S42030 stronger than 420?
Yes. S42030 has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for 420 — about 6% more. Tensile strength is 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 420 or S42030?
S42030 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 420 is premium ($$$). 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 420 over S42030?
Pick S42030 when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 420 and S42030 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.