Steel 4130-CD vs 4130 Q&T
Steel · 4130 temper comparison
4130-CD and 4130 Q&T are two conditions of the same steel grade, 4130: CD (cold drawn) versus Q&T (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 4130 Q&T is the stronger of the two: yield strength 910 MPa (132 ksi) against 600 MPa (87 ksi) for 4130-CD, about 52% more; tensile strength follows at 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi). 4130 Q&T is harder — 302 HB against 210 HB for 4130-CD — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. On the shop floor, 4130-CD machines more easily (good vs fair), 4130-CD welds better (good vs fair), and 4130-CD forms better (fair vs poor).
4130-CDChoose it when the part is machined in volume, or when it will be welded.
4130 Q&TChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
4130-CD vs 4130 Q&T: 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.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 205 GPa29.7 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Elongation at Break 18%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 42.7 W/m·K24.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 477 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 272 J/g117 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 7.7 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 2.23×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.78 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.61 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb · Embodied Water 45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
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.
4130-CD vs 4130 Q&T — frequently asked
Is 4130 Q&T stronger than 4130-CD?
Yes. 4130 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 910 MPa (132 ksi) against 600 MPa (87 ksi) for 4130-CD — about 52% more. Tensile strength is 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CD or Q&T?
HR is the default 4130 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither CD nor Q&T). The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which is easier to machine, 4130-CD or 4130 Q&T?
4130-CD. Its machinability rates good (60/100) against fair (45/100) for 4130 Q&T; for welding the order is 4130-CD first (good, 60/100) then 4130 Q&T (fair, 45/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 4130-CD and 4130 Q&T 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.