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Steel A369 FP2 vs AR400

Steel · grade comparison

Steel A369 FP2 and AR400 are both steel grades. AR400 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) against 255 MPa (37 ksi) for A369 FP2, about 4.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) vs 450 MPa (65.3 ksi). In exchange, A369 FP2 is the more ductile: elongation 34% versus 11% for AR400, and AR400 is harder (400 HB vs 131 HB). A369 FP2 runs hotter in service (540°C vs 250°C continuous). On the shop floor, A369 FP2 machines more easily (good vs poor), A369 FP2 welds better (very good vs good), and A369 FP2 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than AR400 (premium, $$$).

A369 FP2Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

AR400Choose it when strength drives the design.

A369 FP2 vs AR400: properties

A369 FP2AR400

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

450 MPa65.3 ksi
1,250 MPa181 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

255 MPa37 ksi
1,050 MPa152 ksi

Elongation at Break

34%
11%

Reduction in Area

62%
40%

Shear Strength

280 MPa40.6 ksi
780 MPa113 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

205 MPa29.7 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)

70 J51.6 ft·lbf
30 J22.1 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

131 HB
400 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

74 HRB
—

Compressive Strength

—
1,100 MPa160 ksi

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
43 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

—
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.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,490°C2,714 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,520°C2,768 °F
1,500°C2,732 °F

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Specific Heat Capacity

460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

540°C1,004 °F
250°C482 °F

Min Service Temperature

-29°C-20 °F
-20°C-4 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

—
8 % IACS

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 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

22 / 100
12 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

62 / 100
22 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

62%
20%

Weldability

72 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

60 / 100
25 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
20 / 100

Polishability

50 / 100
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb
28 MJ/kg12,038 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2 kg CO₂/kg
2.3 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

30%
25%

Same in both: Embodied Water 45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

57 kN·m/kg
159 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

159 kJ/m³
2,689 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.6 mm²/s
11.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

7
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 scaleAR400A369 FP2

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityA369 FP2AR400
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—Q&T
Relative cost$$ Standard$$$ 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.

A369 FP2 vs AR400 — frequently asked

Is AR400 stronger than A369 FP2?

Yes. AR400 has a typical yield strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) against 255 MPa (37 ksi) for A369 FP2 — about 4.1 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) vs 450 MPa (65.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, A369 FP2 or AR400?

A369 FP2 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while AR400 is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, A369 FP2 or AR400?

A369 FP2. Its machinability rates good (62/100) against poor (22/100) for AR400; for welding the order is A369 FP2 first (very good, 72/100) then AR400 (good, 55/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A369 FP2 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.