Steel 4140 vs MS1500
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 4140 and MS1500 are both steel grades, both high strength steel. MS1500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) against 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) for 4140, about 160% more; tensile strength follows at 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi). In exchange, 4140 is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 5% for MS1500, and MS1500 is harder (470 HV vs 220 HV). 4140 runs hotter in service (425°C vs 200°C continuous) and 4140 conducts heat better (42.6 W/m·K vs 30 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 4140 machines more easily (good vs poor) and MS1500 welds better (50 vs 40 out of 100).
4140Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
MS1500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.
4140 vs MS1500: 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
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)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Rockwell C
Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi
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.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
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)
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 12 / 100
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
Same in both: Polishability 60 / 100
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 | 4140 | MS1500 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Casting & forging | Yes | — |
| Default condition | HR | CR |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| AlCrN | Yes | — |
| AlTiN | Yes | — |
| CVD Al2O3 | Yes | — |
| CVD TiCN | Yes | — |
| CVD TiN | Yes | — |
| CrN | Yes | — |
| DLC | Yes | — |
| HVOF Coating | Yes | — |
| MoS2 | Yes | — |
| Multilayer CVD | Yes | — |
| TiAlN | Yes | — |
| TiB2 | Yes | — |
| TiCN | Yes | — |
| TiN | Yes | — |
| WC/C | Yes | — |
| ZrN | Yes | — |
Both are offered for Sheet metal. They share 22 finishes: Black Oxide, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, E-Coating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Hot-Dip Galvanizing, Manganese Phosphate, Nickel Plating and 10 more.
4140 vs MS1500 — frequently asked
Is MS1500 stronger than 4140?
Yes. MS1500 has a typical yield strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) against 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) for 4140 — about 160% more. Tensile strength is 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 4140 or MS1500?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, 4140 or MS1500?
4140. Its machinability rates good (60/100) against poor (22/100) for MS1500; for welding the order is MS1500 first (fair, 50/100) then 4140 (fair, 40/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 4140 and MS1500 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.