Steel 1095 vs 18Ni(400)
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 1095 and 18Ni(400) are both steel grades. 18Ni(400) is the stronger of the two: yield strength 2,680 MPa (389 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for 1095, about 7.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 2,760 MPa (400 ksi) vs 655 MPa (95 ksi). In exchange, 1095 is the more ductile: elongation 13% versus 6% for 18Ni(400), and 18Ni(400) is harder (655 HV vs 200 HV). 1095 is lighter (7.85 g/cm³ vs 8.1 g/cm³ for 18Ni(400)) and 1095 conducts heat better (46.7 W/m·K vs 18 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 1095 machines more easily (fair vs poor), 18Ni(400) welds better (very good vs poor), and 1095 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 18Ni(400) (high, $$$$).
1095Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
18Ni(400)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.
1095 vs 18Ni(400): 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
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell C
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
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °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 | 1095 | 18Ni(400) |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Annealed | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| AlCrN | Yes | — |
| AlTiN | Yes | — |
| Black Oxide | Yes | — |
| CVD Al2O3 | Yes | — |
| CVD TiCN | Yes | — |
| CVD TiN | Yes | — |
| Cerakote | Yes | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| CrN | Yes | — |
| DLC | Yes | — |
| E-Coating | Yes | — |
| HVOF Coating | Yes | — |
| Hot-Dip Galvanizing | Yes | — |
| MoS2 | Yes | — |
| Multilayer CVD | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| PTFE Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
1095 vs 18Ni(400) — frequently asked
Is 18Ni(400) stronger than 1095?
Yes. 18Ni(400) has a typical yield strength of 2,680 MPa (389 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for 1095 — about 7.1 times as much. Tensile strength is 2,760 MPa (400 ksi) vs 655 MPa (95 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 1095 or 18Ni(400)?
1095 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 18Ni(400) is high ($$$$). 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, 1095 or 18Ni(400)?
1095. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (18/100) for 18Ni(400); for welding the order is 18Ni(400) first (very good, 70/100) then 1095 (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1095 and 18Ni(400) 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.