Steel 4140 vs Titanium Grade 5
Cross-family material comparison
Steel 4140 is a steel grade and Titanium Grade 5 is a titanium grade — different families, so density, stiffness and cost move together with strength. Grade 5 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 880 MPa (128 ksi) against 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) for 4140, about 83% more; tensile strength follows at 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi). In exchange, 4140 is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 14% for Grade 5, and Grade 5 is harder (334 HB vs 210 HB). Grade 5 is lighter (4.43 g/cm³ vs 7.85 g/cm³ for 4140) and 4140 is stiffer (205 GPa vs 113.8 GPa). On the shop floor, 4140 machines more easily (good vs poor), Grade 5 welds better (very good vs fair), and 4140 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Grade 5 (premium, $$$).
4140Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
Grade 5Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
4140 vs Grade 5: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all grades of the two families 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 grades of the two families 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
Shear Modulus
Bulk 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
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
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
Polishability
Castability
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 grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 4140 | Grade 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Casting & forging | Yes | — |
| 3D printing | — | Yes |
| Default condition | HR | O |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 1 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Anodizing Type II | — | Yes |
| Black Oxide | Yes | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| Copper Plating | Yes | — |
| E-Coating | Yes | — |
| Electroless Nickel (EN) | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| Epoxy Coating | Yes | — |
| Gold Plating | Yes | — |
| Hard Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| Hot-Dip Galvanizing | Yes | — |
| Manganese Phosphate | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| PTFE Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Powder Coating | Yes | — |
| Silver Plating | Yes | — |
| Tin Plating | Yes | — |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. They share 18 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, CrN, DLC, HVOF Coating, MoS2, Multilayer CVD, Plasma Spray and 6 more.
4140 vs Grade 5 — frequently asked
Is Grade 5 stronger than 4140?
Yes. Grade 5 has a typical yield strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) against 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) for 4140 — about 83% more. Tensile strength is 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 4140 or Grade 5?
4140 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Grade 5 is premium ($$$). 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, 4140 or Grade 5?
4140. Its machinability rates good (60/100) against poor (20/100) for Grade 5; for welding the order is Grade 5 first (very good, 75/100) then 4140 (fair, 40/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 4140 and Grade 5 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.