Steel A11 vs Vanadis 4 Extra
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A11 and Vanadis 4 Extra are both steel grades. Vanadis 4 Extra is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) against 600 MPa (87 ksi) for A11, about 3.2 times as much; tensile strength follows at 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi). In exchange, A11 is the more ductile: elongation 8% versus 1% for Vanadis 4 Extra, and Vanadis 4 Extra is harder (60 HRC vs 26 HRC). A11 is lighter (7.41 g/cm³ vs 7.7 g/cm³ for Vanadis 4 Extra) and Vanadis 4 Extra conducts heat better (24 W/m·K vs 21 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Vanadis 4 Extra sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than A11 (specialty, $$$$$).
A11Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
Vanadis 4 ExtraChoose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.
A11 vs Vanadis 4 Extra: 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
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
Bulk Modulus
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.7 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 6.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m25.6 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
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)
Polishability
Brazeability / Solderability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | A11 | Vanadis 4 Extra |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Annealed | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| AlCrN | Yes | — |
| AlTiN | Yes | — |
| Black Oxide | Yes | — |
| CVD Al2O3 | Yes | — |
| CVD TiCN | Yes | — |
| CVD TiN | Yes | — |
| Cerakote | Yes | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| CrN | Yes | — |
| DLC | Yes | — |
| E-Coating | Yes | — |
| HVOF Coating | Yes | — |
| Hot-Dip Galvanizing | Yes | — |
| MoS2 | Yes | — |
| Multilayer CVD | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| PTFE Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
A11 vs Vanadis 4 Extra — frequently asked
Is Vanadis 4 Extra stronger than A11?
Yes. Vanadis 4 Extra has a typical yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) against 600 MPa (87 ksi) for A11 — about 3.2 times as much. Tensile strength is 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi).
Which is cheaper, A11 or Vanadis 4 Extra?
Vanadis 4 Extra is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while A11 is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
When should I choose A11 over Vanadis 4 Extra?
Pick A11 when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint. Pick Vanadis 4 Extra when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A11 and Vanadis 4 Extra 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.