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Steel 4140 vs 8627

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 4140 and 8627 are both steel grades. 4140 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for 8627, about 26% more; tensile strength follows at 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi). In exchange, 8627 is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 22% for 4140, and 4140 is harder (210 HB vs 156 HB). On the shop floor, 8627 welds better (52 vs 40 out of 100) and 8627 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 4140 (standard, $$).

4140Choose it when strength drives the design.

8627Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

4140 vs 8627: properties

41408627

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

690 MPa100 ksi
560 MPa81.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

480 MPa69.6 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

22%
30%

Reduction in Area

50%
60%

Compressive Strength

480 MPa69.6 ksi
—

Shear Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
370 MPa53.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

345 MPa50 ksi
260 MPa37.7 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

40 J29.5 ft·lbf
55 J40.6 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

210 HB
156 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

94 HRB
82 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

220 HV
—

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

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,416°C2,581 °F
1,425°C2,597 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,483°C2,701 °F
1,505°C2,741 °F

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

42.6 W/m·K24.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
46 W/m·K26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

473 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
475 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

250 J/g107 BTU/lb
270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

425°C797 °F
400°C752 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 7.8 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

12 / 100
11 / 100

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

60 / 100
58 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

62%
65%

Weldability

40 / 100
52 / 100

Formability (cold)

40 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
65 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

32 MJ/kg13,758 BTU/lb
30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
35%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.2 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

88 kN·m/kg
71 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

562 kJ/m³
352 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.5 mm²/s
12.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

12
11

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.1 MN·m/kg

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 scale41408627

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability41408627
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Casting & forgingYes—
Default conditionHR—
Relative cost$$ Standard$ Budget
Min. machined wall0.8 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µm—
AlCrNYes—
AlTiNYes—
Black OxideYes—
CVD Al2O3Yes—
CVD TiCNYes—
CVD TiNYes—
CerakoteYes—
Chrome PlatingYes—
CrNYes—
DLCYes—
E-CoatingYes—
HVOF CoatingYes—
Hot-Dip GalvanizingYes—
MoS2Yes—
Multilayer CVDYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PTFE CoatingYes—
PaintingYes—

They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.

4140 vs 8627 — frequently asked

Is 4140 stronger than 8627?

Yes. 4140 has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for 8627 — about 26% more. Tensile strength is 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 4140 or 8627?

8627 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 4140 is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which welds better, 4140 or 8627?

8627. Its weldability rates fair (52/100) against fair (40/100) for 4140.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 4140 and 8627 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.