Stainless Steel CA40 vs CA40F
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel CA40 and CA40F are both stainless steel grades. CA40 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) for CA40F, about 9% more. CA40 is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 14% for CA40F, and CA40 is harder (24 HRC vs 22 HRC). CA40F runs hotter in service (620°C vs 550°C continuous). On the shop floor, CA40F machines more easily (good vs fair) and CA40 welds better (28 vs 15 out of 100).
CA40Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
CA40FChoose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.
CA40 vs CA40F: 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
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 C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.61 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 24.2 W/m·K14 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 3 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 5.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m22.4 µΩ·in
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)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 75%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.3 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 6.9 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 9
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 | CA40 | CA40F |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 7 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Pickling, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
CA40 vs CA40F — frequently asked
Is CA40 stronger than CA40F?
Yes. CA40 has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) for CA40F — about 9% more. Tensile strength is 795 MPa (115 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi).
Which is cheaper, CA40 or CA40F?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$, premium); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, CA40 or CA40F?
CA40F. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (40/100) for CA40; for welding the order is CA40 first (poor, 28/100) then CA40F (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CA40 and CA40F 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.