FabDigitFabDigit

Steel 30Q130 vs Alloy 49

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 30Q130 and Alloy 49 are both steel grades. 30Q130 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for Alloy 49, about 43% more. In exchange, Alloy 49 is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 8% for 30Q130, and 30Q130 is harder (160 HB vs 120 HB). 30Q130 is lighter (7.65 g/cm³ vs 8.25 g/cm³ for Alloy 49) and Alloy 49 is stiffer (150 GPa vs 120 GPa). On the shop floor, Alloy 49 welds better (very good vs fair) and 30Q130 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Alloy 49 (high, $$$$).

30Q130Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

Alloy 49Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

30Q130 vs Alloy 49: properties

30Q130Alloy 49

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

120 GPa17.4 Msi
150 GPa21.8 Msi

Shear Modulus

47 GPa6.8 Msi
58 GPa8.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

160 GPa23.2 Msi
155 GPa22.5 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

345 MPa50 ksi
530 MPa76.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

315 MPa45.7 ksi
220 MPa31.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

8%
38%

Shear Strength

230 MPa33.4 ksi
350 MPa50.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

160 MPa23.2 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

160 HB
120 HB

Hardness, Vickers

170 HV
125 HV

Reduction in Area

—
65%

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
100 J73.8 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
70 HRB

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.65 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
8.25 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,470°C2,678 °F
1,425°C2,597 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,510°C2,750 °F
1,450°C2,642 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

22 W/m·K12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
13.5 W/m·K7.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.6 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
9.5 µm/m·K5.3 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

270 J/g116 BTU/lb
—

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
480°C896 °F

Min Service Temperature

-60°C-76 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 3.6 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 4.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m18.9 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

18 / 100
32 / 100

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

—
-0.35 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
35 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

45%
35%

Weldability

35 / 100
70 / 100

Formability (cold)

35 / 100
85 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

40 / 100
70 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

—
40 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb
120 MJ/kg51,591 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.6 kg CO₂/kg
8.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

15%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

45 kN·m/kg
64 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

15.7 MN·m/kg
18.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

413 kJ/m³
161 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

6 mm²/s
3.3 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 5

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 scaleAlloy 4930Q130

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability30Q130Alloy 49
Default condition——
Relative cost$$ Standard$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.

30Q130 vs Alloy 49 — frequently asked

Is 30Q130 stronger than Alloy 49?

Yes. 30Q130 has a typical yield strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for Alloy 49 — about 43% more. Tensile strength is 345 MPa (50 ksi) vs 530 MPa (76.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 30Q130 or Alloy 49?

30Q130 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Alloy 49 is high ($$$$). 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, 30Q130 or Alloy 49?

30Q130, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 40/100 against 35/100 for Alloy 49; for welding the order is Alloy 49 first (very good, 70/100) then 30Q130 (fair, 35/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 30Q130 and Alloy 49 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.