Steel A439 Type D-2 vs A532 Class III Type A
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A439 Type D-2 and A532 Class III Type A are both steel grades. A532 Class III Type A is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for A439 Type D-2, about 22% more. In exchange, A439 Type D-2 is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 0% for A532 Class III Type A, and A532 Class III Type A is harder (680 HB vs 170 HB). A439 Type D-2 is lighter (7.4 g/cm³ vs 7.65 g/cm³ for A532 Class III Type A) and A532 Class III Type A is stiffer (210 GPa vs 120 GPa). On the shop floor, A439 Type D-2 machines more easily (fair vs not recommended), A439 Type D-2 welds better (fair vs not recommended), and A532 Class III Type A sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than A439 Type D-2 (high, $$$$).
A439 Type D-2Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
A532 Class III Type AChoose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.
A439 Type D-2 vs A532 Class III Type A: 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.
A439 Type D-2A532 Class III Type A
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
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
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 220 J/g94.6 BTU/lb
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Formability (cold)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
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 | A439 Type D-2 | A532 Class III Type A |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
A439 Type D-2 vs A532 Class III Type A — frequently asked
Is A532 Class III Type A stronger than A439 Type D-2?
Yes. A532 Class III Type A has a typical tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for A439 Type D-2 — about 22% more.
Which is cheaper, A439 Type D-2 or A532 Class III Type A?
A532 Class III Type A is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while A439 Type D-2 is high ($$$$). 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, A439 Type D-2 or A532 Class III Type A?
A439 Type D-2. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against not recommended (2/100) for A532 Class III Type A; for welding the order is A439 Type D-2 first (fair, 50/100) then A532 Class III Type A (not recommended, 8/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A439 Type D-2 and A532 Class III Type A 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.