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Stainless Steel 430 vs S41050

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 430 and S41050 are both stainless steel grades. S41050 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for 430, about 16% more; tensile strength follows at 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) vs 500 MPa (72.5 ksi). S41050 is harder — 170 HV against 160 HV for 430 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 430 runs hotter in service (815°C vs 600°C continuous). On the shop floor, S41050 welds better (very good vs good).

430Choose it when the part sees heat.

S41050Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

430 vs S41050: properties

430S41050

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

77 GPa11.2 Msi
78 GPa11.3 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.28
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

500 MPa72.5 ksi
540 MPa78.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

310 MPa45 ksi
360 MPa52.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

30%
28%

Reduction in Area

65%
60%

Shear Strength

350 MPa50.8 ksi
360 MPa52.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

240 MPa34.8 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

70 MPa·√m63.7 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

25 J18.4 ft·lbf
120 J88.5 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

155 HB
160 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

82 HRB
85 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

160 HV
170 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,480°C2,696 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,510°C2,750 °F
1,530°C2,786 °F

Same in both: Density 7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

26 W/m·K15 BTU/hr·ft·°F
24.9 W/m·K14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Latent Heat of Fusion

260 J/g112 BTU/lb
270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

815°C1,499 °F
600°C1,112 °F

Min Service Temperature

-30°C-22 °F
-40°C-40 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.9 % IACS
3 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 µΩ·in
5.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m22.4 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.25 V
-0.3 V

Corrosion Resistance

55 / 100
42 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

54%
55%

Weldability

60 / 100
70 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

—
45 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 50 / 100 · Formability (cold) 65 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

40 MJ/kg17,197 BTU/lb
42 MJ/kg18,057 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.8 kg CO₂/kg
3.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

80 L/kg9.6 gal/lb
130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

70%
65%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

65 kN·m/kg
70 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

240 kJ/m³
324 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

7.3 mm²/s
7 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26 MN·m/kg · 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.

3005007001,0001,5002,0007.27.47.67.888.2Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale430S41050

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability430S41050
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionAnnealed—
Relative cost$$ Standard$$ Standard
Min. machined wall0.8 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µm—
AlCrNYes—
AlTiNYes—
Black OxideYes—
CVD Al2O3Yes—
CVD TiCNYes—
CVD TiNYes—
CerakoteYes—
Chrome PlatingYes—
CrNYes—
DLCYes—
ElectropolishingYes—
HVOF CoatingYes—
MoS2Yes—
Multilayer CVDYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PTFE CoatingYes—
PaintingYes—
Passivation (Stainless Steel)Yes—

They share 7 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Pickling, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.

430 vs S41050 — frequently asked

Is S41050 stronger than 430?

Yes. S41050 has a typical yield strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for 430 — about 16% more. Tensile strength is 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) vs 500 MPa (72.5 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 430 or S41050?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which welds better, 430 or S41050?

S41050. Its weldability rates very good (70/100) against good (60/100) for 430.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 430 and S41050 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.