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Steel 835M30 vs AR400

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 835M30 and AR400 are both steel grades. AR400 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) against 940 MPa (136 ksi) for 835M30, about 12% more; tensile strength follows at 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) vs 1,150 MPa (167 ksi). In exchange, 835M30 is the more ductile: elongation 14% versus 11% for AR400, and AR400 is harder (400 HB vs 340 HB). 835M30 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 250°C continuous) and AR400 conducts heat better (42 W/m·K vs 33 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 835M30 machines more easily (32 vs 22 out of 100) and AR400 welds better (good vs fair).

835M30Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

AR400Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.

835M30 vs AR400: properties

835M30AR400

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

1,150 MPa167 ksi
1,250 MPa181 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

940 MPa136 ksi
1,050 MPa152 ksi

Elongation at Break

14%
11%

Reduction in Area

50%
40%

Compressive Strength

1,150 MPa167 ksi
1,100 MPa160 ksi

Shear Strength

700 MPa102 ksi
780 MPa113 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
520 MPa75.4 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in
70 MPa·√m63.7 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

55 J40.6 ft·lbf
30 J22.1 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

340 HB
400 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

36 HRC
43 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

355 HV
420 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

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.84 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Liquidus Temperature

1,480°C2,696 °F
1,500°C2,732 °F

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

33 W/m·K19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
250°C482 °F

Min Service Temperature

-70°C-94 °F
-20°C-4 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

5.5 % IACS
8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m12.2 µΩ·in
2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.6 V
—

Corrosion Resistance

16 / 100
12 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

32 / 100
22 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
20%

Weldability

40 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
25 / 100

Castability

30 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

45 / 100
20 / 100

Polishability

65 / 100
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

36 MJ/kg15,477 BTU/lb
28 MJ/kg12,038 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.9 kg CO₂/kg
2.3 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

147 kN·m/kg
159 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

2,155 kJ/m³
2,689 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

9 mm²/s
11.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

15
21

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 scaleAR400835M30

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability835M30AR400
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—Q&T
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall—0.8 mm
Best machined surface—Ra 1.6 µm
AlCrN—Yes
AlTiN—Yes
Black Oxide—Yes
CVD Al2O3—Yes
CVD TiCN—Yes
CVD TiN—Yes
Cerakote—Yes
Chrome Plating—Yes
CrN—Yes
DLC—Yes
E-Coating—Yes
HVOF Coating—Yes
Hot-Dip Galvanizing—Yes
MoS2—Yes
Multilayer CVD—Yes
Nickel Plating—Yes
PTFE Coating—Yes
Painting—Yes

They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.

835M30 vs AR400 — frequently asked

Is AR400 stronger than 835M30?

Yes. AR400 has a typical yield strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) against 940 MPa (136 ksi) for 835M30 — about 12% more. Tensile strength is 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) vs 1,150 MPa (167 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 835M30 or AR400?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$, premium); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, 835M30 or AR400?

835M30, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 32/100 against 22/100 for AR400; for welding the order is AR400 first (good, 55/100) then 835M30 (fair, 40/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 835M30 and AR400 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.