Steel 4J36 vs K93603
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 4J36 and K93603 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 280 MPa — strength does not separate them. 4J36 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 32% for K93603, and K93603 is harder (145 HB vs 135 HB). On the shop floor, K93603 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and 4J36 welds better (very good vs poor).
4J36Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
K93603Choose it when the part is machined in volume.
4J36 vs K93603: 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
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Compressive Strength
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 141 GPa20.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 55 GPa8 Msi · Bulk Modulus 110 GPa16 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,427°C2,601 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,450°C2,642 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 10.5 W/m·K6.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 515 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F · Min Service Temperature -253°C-423 °F
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)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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 Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 60 kN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 2.5 mm²/s
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 | 4J36 | K93603 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
4J36 vs K93603 — frequently asked
What is the difference between 4J36 and K93603?
Steel 4J36 and K93603 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 280 MPa — strength does not separate them. 4J36 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 32% for K93603, and K93603 is harder (145 HB vs 135 HB).
Which is cheaper, 4J36 or K93603?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, 4J36 or K93603?
K93603. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (30/100) for 4J36; for welding the order is 4J36 first (very good, 75/100) then K93603 (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 4J36 and K93603 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.