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Steel 20CrMnTi vs AR400

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 20CrMnTi and AR400 are both steel grades. AR400 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for 20CrMnTi, about 163% more; tensile strength follows at 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). In exchange, 20CrMnTi is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 11% for AR400, and AR400 is harder (400 HB vs 187 HB). 20CrMnTi runs hotter in service (350°C vs 250°C continuous). On the shop floor, 20CrMnTi machines more easily (good vs poor), AR400 welds better (good vs fair), and 20CrMnTi sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than AR400 (premium, $$$).

20CrMnTiChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

AR400Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.

20CrMnTi vs AR400: properties

20CrMnTiAR400

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

207 GPa30 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

620 MPa89.9 ksi
1,250 MPa181 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

400 MPa58 ksi
1,050 MPa152 ksi

Elongation at Break

22%
11%

Reduction in Area

52%
40%

Shear Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
780 MPa113 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

290 MPa42.1 ksi
520 MPa75.4 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

80 MPa·√m72.8 ksi·√in
70 MPa·√m63.7 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

65 J47.9 ft·lbf
30 J22.1 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

187 HB
400 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

90 HRB
—

Compressive Strength

—
1,100 MPa160 ksi

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
43 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

—
420 HV

Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,440°C2,624 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 1,500°C2,732 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

43 W/m·K24.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

350°C662 °F
250°C482 °F

Min Service Temperature

-40°C-40 °F
-20°C-4 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

—
8 % IACS

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.61 V
—

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 12 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

58 / 100
22 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

60%
20%

Weldability

40 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
25 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
20 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

29 MJ/kg12,468 BTU/lb
28 MJ/kg12,038 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.1 kg CO₂/kg
2.3 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

30%
25%

Same in both: Embodied Water 45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

79 kN·m/kg
159 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.5 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

386 kJ/m³
2,689 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.7 mm²/s
11.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

11
21

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.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleAR40020CrMnTi

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability20CrMnTiAR400
Default conditionAnnealedQ&T
Relative cost$$ Standard$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall0.8 mm0.8 mm
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µmRa 1.6 µm

Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. 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.

20CrMnTi vs AR400 — frequently asked

Is AR400 stronger than 20CrMnTi?

Yes. AR400 has a typical yield strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for 20CrMnTi — about 163% more. Tensile strength is 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 20CrMnTi or AR400?

20CrMnTi is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while AR400 is premium ($$$). 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, 20CrMnTi or AR400?

20CrMnTi. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against poor (22/100) for AR400; for welding the order is AR400 first (good, 55/100) then 20CrMnTi (fair, 40/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 20CrMnTi and AR400 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.