Stainless Steel 420C vs 440A
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 420C and 440A are both stainless steel grades, both high strength ss. 420C is the stronger of the two: yield strength 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) against 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) for 440A, about 11% more. In exchange, 440A is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 17% for 420C, and 420C is harder (220 HB vs 195 HB). 420C is stiffer (215 GPa vs 200 GPa) and 440A runs hotter in service (760°C vs 400°C continuous). On the shop floor, 420C sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than 440A (high, $$$$).
420CChoose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.
440AChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
420C vs 440A: 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
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, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.28
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
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 45% · Weldability 20 / 100 · Formability (cold) 30 / 100 · Polishability 78 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 45%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | 420C | 440A |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining. Both take the same 32 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, CrN, DLC, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing and 20 more.
420C vs 440A — frequently asked
Is 420C stronger than 440A?
Yes. 420C has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) against 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) for 440A — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 725 MPa (105 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 420C or 440A?
420C is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while 440A is high ($$$$). 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, 420C or 440A?
420C, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 40/100 for 440A.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 420C and 440A 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.