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Steel 4150 vs 6152

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 4150 and 6152 are both steel grades. 4150 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) against 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) for 6152, about 25% more; tensile strength follows at 860 MPa (125 ksi) vs 670 MPa (97.2 ksi). In exchange, 6152 is the more ductile: elongation 23% versus 16% for 4150, and 4150 is harder (235 HB vs 197 HB). On the shop floor, 6152 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 4150 (premium, $$$).

4150Choose it when strength drives the design.

6152Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

4150 vs 6152: properties

41506152

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
207 GPa30 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

860 MPa125 ksi
670 MPa97.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

520 MPa75.4 ksi
415 MPa60.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

16%
23%

Reduction in Area

40%
48%

Shear Strength

560 MPa81.2 ksi
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

390 MPa56.6 ksi
320 MPa46.4 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

25 J18.4 ft·lbf
30 J22.1 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

235 HB
197 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

21 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

245 HV
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
92 HRB

Same in both: 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
1,420°C2,588 °F

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Liquidus Temperature 1,490°C2,714 °F

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
470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

7.8 % IACS
7.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
2.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.06 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.6 V
-0.61 V

Corrosion Resistance

12 / 100
13 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

45 / 100
50 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

50%
55%

Formability (cold)

25 / 100
40 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
30 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 25 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

31 MJ/kg13,328 BTU/lb
26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.3 kg CO₂/kg
2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

30%
35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

110 kN·m/kg
85 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.1 MN·m/kg
26.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

660 kJ/m³
416 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.5 mm²/s
12.5 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

15
12

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 scale41506152

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability41506152
Default conditionHRAnnealed
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$ Standard
Min. machined wall0.8 mm0.8 mm
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µmRa 1.6 µm

Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 38 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, CrN, DLC, E-Coating and 26 more.

4150 vs 6152 — frequently asked

Is 4150 stronger than 6152?

Yes. 4150 has a typical yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) against 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) for 6152 — about 25% more. Tensile strength is 860 MPa (125 ksi) vs 670 MPa (97.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 4150 or 6152?

6152 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 4150 is premium ($$$). 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, 4150 or 6152?

6152, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 50/100 against 45/100 for 4150.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 4150 and 6152 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.