Stainless Steel 4Cr13-QT300 vs 4Cr13-QT600
Stainless Steel · 4Cr13 temper comparison
4Cr13-QT300 and 4Cr13-QT600 are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 4Cr13: QT300 (Q&T 300 °C) versus QT600 (Q&T 600–680 °C). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 4Cr13-QT300 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 800 MPa (116 ksi) for 4Cr13-QT600, about 69% more; tensile strength follows at 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) vs 1,000 MPa (145 ksi). In exchange, 4Cr13-QT600 is the more ductile: elongation 15% versus 6% for 4Cr13-QT300, and 4Cr13-QT600 is harder (300 HB vs 217 HB). 4Cr13-QT600 runs hotter in service (550°C vs 250°C continuous). On the shop floor, 4Cr13-QT600 machines more easily (fair vs poor).
4Cr13-QT300Choose it when strength drives the design.
4Cr13-QT600Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
4Cr13-QT300 vs 4Cr13-QT600: 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.
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, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 78 GPa11.3 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28 · Hardness, Rockwell B 96 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,480°C2,696 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
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 · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · 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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 35 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 46 MJ/kg19,776 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 80 L/kg9.6 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 55%
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.
4Cr13-QT300 vs 4Cr13-QT600 — frequently asked
Is 4Cr13-QT300 stronger than 4Cr13-QT600?
Yes. 4Cr13-QT300 has a typical yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 800 MPa (116 ksi) for 4Cr13-QT600 — about 69% more. Tensile strength is 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) vs 1,000 MPa (145 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, QT300 or QT600?
Annealed is the default 4Cr13 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither QT300 nor QT600). The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which is easier to machine, 4Cr13-QT300 or 4Cr13-QT600?
4Cr13-QT600. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (18/100) for 4Cr13-QT300; for welding the order is 4Cr13-QT300 first (poor, 30/100) then 4Cr13-QT600 (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 4Cr13-QT300 and 4Cr13-QT600 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.