Steel 4340 Annealed vs 4340 Q&T
Steel · 4340 temper comparison
4340 Annealed and 4340 Q&T are two conditions of the same steel grade, 4340: Annealed versus Q&T (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 4340 Q&T is the stronger of the two: yield strength 880 MPa (128 ksi) against 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) for 4340 Annealed, about 87% more; tensile strength follows at 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) vs 745 MPa (108 ksi). In exchange, 4340 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 18% for 4340 Q&T, and 4340 Q&T is harder (302 HB vs 217 HB). On the shop floor, 4340 Annealed machines more easily (good vs fair).
4340 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
4340 Q&TChoose it when strength drives the design.
4340 Annealed vs 4340 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)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Rockwell C
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 · Reduction in Area 50%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,416°C2,581 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,454°C2,649 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 475 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 7 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 2.48×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.76 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.62 V · 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)
Same in both: Castability 45 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 32 MJ/kg13,758 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.3 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%
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.
4340 Annealed vs 4340 Q&T — frequently asked
Is 4340 Q&T stronger than 4340 Annealed?
Yes. 4340 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) against 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) for 4340 Annealed — about 87% more. Tensile strength is 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) vs 745 MPa (108 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Q&T?
HR is the default 4340 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Annealed 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, 4340 Annealed or 4340 Q&T?
4340 Annealed. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (43/100) for 4340 Q&T; for welding the order is 4340 Annealed first (fair, 38/100) then 4340 Q&T (poor, 30/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 4340 Annealed and 4340 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.