Steel 1.2311 vs 420 Mod Mold
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 1.2311 and 420 Mod Mold are both steel grades, both mold steel. 1.2311 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) against 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) for 420 Mod Mold, about 6% more. 420 Mod Mold runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous) and 1.2311 conducts heat better (34 W/m·K vs 24 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 1.2311 machines more easily (good vs fair) and 1.2311 welds better (fair vs poor).
1.2311Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
420 Mod MoldChoose it when the part sees heat.
1.2311 vs 420 Mod Mold: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all 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 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
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 760 MPa110 ksi · Reduction in Area 50% · Hardness, Brinell 220 HB · Hardness, Vickers 230 HV
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)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Latent Heat of Fusion
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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 1.2311 | 420 Mod Mold |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Annealed | Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| 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 38 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, CrN, DLC, E-Coating and 26 more.
1.2311 vs 420 Mod Mold — frequently asked
Is 1.2311 stronger than 420 Mod Mold?
Yes. 1.2311 has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) against 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) for 420 Mod Mold — about 6% more. Tensile strength is 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 1.2311 or 420 Mod Mold?
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 is easier to machine, 1.2311 or 420 Mod Mold?
1.2311. Its machinability rates good (60/100) against fair (45/100) for 420 Mod Mold; for welding the order is 1.2311 first (fair, 50/100) then 420 Mod Mold (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.2311 and 420 Mod Mold 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.