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Steel A369 FP9 vs AR500

Steel · grade comparison

Steel A369 FP9 and AR500 are both steel grades. AR500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for A369 FP9, about 4.5 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) vs 490 MPa (71.1 ksi). In exchange, A369 FP9 is the more ductile: elongation 33% versus 9% for AR500, and AR500 is harder (500 HB vs 170 HB). A369 FP9 runs hotter in service (600°C vs 250°C continuous) and AR500 conducts heat better (40 W/m·K vs 29 W/m·K). On the shop floor, A369 FP9 machines more easily (fair vs not recommended) and A369 FP9 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than AR500 (high, $$$$).

A369 FP9Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

AR500Choose it when strength drives the design.

A369 FP9 vs AR500: properties

A369 FP9AR500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

213 GPa30.9 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

82 GPa11.9 Msi
80 GPa11.6 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

490 MPa71.1 ksi
1,650 MPa239 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
1,350 MPa196 ksi

Elongation at Break

33%
9%

Reduction in Area

62%
30%

Compressive Strength

305 MPa44.2 ksi
1,400 MPa203 ksi

Shear Strength

300 MPa43.5 ksi
1,000 MPa145 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

230 MPa33.4 ksi
700 MPa102 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in
50 MPa·√m45.5 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

80 J59 ft·lbf
35 J25.8 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

170 HB
500 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

87 HRB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
50 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

—
525 HV

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,450°C2,642 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 1,500°C2,732 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

29 W/m·K16.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
40 W/m·K23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

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)

11 µm/m·K6.1 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

600°C1,112 °F
250°C482 °F

Min Service Temperature

-30°C-22 °F
-40°C-40 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 µΩ·in
2.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.06 µΩ·in

Electrical Conductivity

—
7.5 % IACS

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.58 V
-0.62 V

Corrosion Resistance

32 / 100
13 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

45 / 100
12 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

50%
10%

Weldability

50 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

45 / 100
15 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

45 / 100
—

Same in both: Polishability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb
30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.4 kg CO₂/kg
2.3 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

65 L/kg7.8 gal/lb
55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

63 kN·m/kg
210 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

27.4 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

211 kJ/m³
4,445 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

8.1 mm²/s
10.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

6
27

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 scaleAR500A369 FP9

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityA369 FP9AR500
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—Q&T
Relative cost$$ Standard$$$$ 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.

A369 FP9 vs AR500 — frequently asked

Is AR500 stronger than A369 FP9?

Yes. AR500 has a typical yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for A369 FP9 — about 4.5 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) vs 490 MPa (71.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, A369 FP9 or AR500?

A369 FP9 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while AR500 is high ($$$$). 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 FP9 or AR500?

A369 FP9. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against not recommended (12/100) for AR500; for welding the order is A369 FP9 first (fair, 50/100) then AR500 (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A369 FP9 and AR500 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.