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Steel 4620 vs SNC815

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 4620 and SNC815 are both steel grades. SNC815 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for 4620, about 25% more; tensile strength follows at 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 570 MPa (82.7 ksi). In exchange, 4620 is the more ductile: elongation 26% versus 22% for SNC815, and SNC815 is harder (200 HB vs 163 HB). 4620 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 250°C continuous) and 4620 conducts heat better (46 W/m·K vs 34 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 4620 machines more easily (good vs fair) and 4620 welds better (good vs fair).

4620Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

SNC815Choose it when strength drives the design.

4620 vs SNC815: properties

4620SNC815

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

570 MPa82.7 ksi
700 MPa102 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

360 MPa52.2 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

26%
22%

Shear Strength

380 MPa55.1 ksi
425 MPa61.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

260 MPa37.7 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

163 HB
200 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

84 HRB
93 HRB

Compressive Strength

—
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
14 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

—
210 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 · Reduction in Area 55% · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 85 J62.7 ft·lbf

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,420°C2,588 °F
1,425°C2,597 °F

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Liquidus Temperature 1,500°C2,732 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

46 W/m·K26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
34 W/m·K19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
250°C482 °F

Min Service Temperature

-50°C-58 °F
-70°C-94 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

8 % IACS
7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
2.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.84 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.61 V
—

Corrosion Resistance

12 / 100
15 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

57 / 100
45 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

65%
48%

Weldability

65 / 100
35 / 100

Formability (cold)

58 / 100
50 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

70 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

29 MJ/kg12,468 BTU/lb
34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.2 kg CO₂/kg
2.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

30%
25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

73 kN·m/kg
89 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

316 kJ/m³
494 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

12.3 mm²/s
9.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

11
10

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 scale4620SNC815

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability4620SNC815
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionHR—
Relative cost$$ Standard$$ Standard
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.

4620 vs SNC815 — frequently asked

Is SNC815 stronger than 4620?

Yes. SNC815 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for 4620 — about 25% more. Tensile strength is 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 570 MPa (82.7 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 4620 or SNC815?

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, 4620 or SNC815?

4620. Its machinability rates good (57/100) against fair (45/100) for SNC815; for welding the order is 4620 first (good, 65/100) then SNC815 (fair, 35/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 4620 and SNC815 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.