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Steel A414 vs AR400

Steel · grade comparison

Steel A414 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 A414, about 4.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) vs 425 MPa (61.6 ksi). In exchange, A414 is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 11% for AR400, and AR400 is harder (400 HB vs 125 HB). A414 runs hotter in service (425°C vs 250°C continuous) and A414 conducts heat better (51 W/m·K vs 42 W/m·K). On the shop floor, A414 machines more easily (good vs poor), A414 welds better (excellent vs good), and A414 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than AR400 (premium, $$$).

A414Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

AR400Choose it when strength drives the design.

A414 vs AR400: properties

A414AR400

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

79 GPa11.5 Msi
80 GPa11.6 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

425 MPa61.6 ksi
1,250 MPa181 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

255 MPa37 ksi
1,050 MPa152 ksi

Elongation at Break

28%
11%

Reduction in Area

50%
40%

Compressive Strength

295 MPa42.8 ksi
1,100 MPa160 ksi

Shear Strength

285 MPa41.3 ksi
780 MPa113 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

195 MPa28.3 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)

50 J36.9 ft·lbf
30 J22.1 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

125 HB
400 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

71 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

126 HV
420 HV

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
43 HRC

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,485°C2,705 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,510°C2,750 °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.

Thermal Conductivity

51 W/m·K29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

270 J/g116 BTU/lb
250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

425°C797 °F
250°C482 °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 · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10.5 % IACS
8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 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)

-0.62 V
—

Corrosion Resistance

10 / 100
12 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

65 / 100
22 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

60%
20%

Weldability

90 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

88 / 100
25 / 100

Castability

40 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

70 / 100
20 / 100

Polishability

50 / 100
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

24 MJ/kg10,318 BTU/lb
28 MJ/kg12,038 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.9 kg CO₂/kg
2.3 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

40 L/kg4.8 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)

54 kN·m/kg
159 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.5 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

163 kJ/m³
2,689 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.8 mm²/s
11.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

9
21

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 scaleAR400A414

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityA414AR400
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—Q&T
Relative cost$ Budget$$$ 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.

A414 vs AR400 — frequently asked

Is AR400 stronger than A414?

Yes. AR400 has a typical yield strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) against 255 MPa (37 ksi) for A414 — about 4.1 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) vs 425 MPa (61.6 ksi).

Which is cheaper, A414 or AR400?

A414 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget 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, A414 or AR400?

A414. Its machinability rates good (65/100) against poor (22/100) for AR400; for welding the order is A414 first (excellent, 90/100) then AR400 (good, 55/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A414 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.