Stainless Steel 430 vs 446
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 430 and 446 are both stainless steel grades. 446 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for 430, about 13% more; tensile strength follows at 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 500 MPa (72.5 ksi). In exchange, 430 is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 22% for 446, and 446 is harder (180 HB vs 155 HB). 446 runs hotter in service (1,095°C vs 815°C continuous) and 430 conducts heat better (26 W/m·K vs 20.9 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 430 welds better (good vs poor) and 430 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 446 (premium, $$$).
430Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
446Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
430 vs 446: 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.
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28 · Shear Strength 350 MPa50.8 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,510°C2,750 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.4 µm/m·K5.8 µin/in·°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)
Polishability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 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.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 6
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 | 430 | 446 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Annealed | Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| 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 and Sheet metal. 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.
430 vs 446 — frequently asked
Is 446 stronger than 430?
Yes. 446 has a typical yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for 430 — about 13% more. Tensile strength is 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 500 MPa (72.5 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 430 or 446?
430 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 446 is premium ($$$). 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, 430 or 446?
430, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 50/100 against 45/100 for 446; for welding the order is 430 first (good, 60/100) then 446 (poor, 30/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 430 and 446 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.