Steel A536 65-45-12 vs A842 Grade 400
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A536 65-45-12 and A842 Grade 400 are both steel grades. A536 65-45-12 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) for A842 Grade 400, about 12% more. A536 65-45-12 is the more ductile: elongation 14% versus 2% for A842 Grade 400, and A842 Grade 400 is harder (220 HB vs 170 HB). A536 65-45-12 is stiffer (169 GPa vs 145 GPa). On the shop floor, A536 65-45-12 machines more easily (good vs fair).
A536 65-45-12Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
A536 65-45-12 vs A842 Grade 400: 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
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Compressive Strength
Hardness, Rockwell C
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.1 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,150°C2,102 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 220 J/g94.6 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 350°C662 °F · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F
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
Formability (cold)
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 30 L/kg3.6 gal/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 | A536 65-45-12 | A842 Grade 400 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ 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.
A536 65-45-12 vs A842 Grade 400 — frequently asked
Is A536 65-45-12 stronger than A842 Grade 400?
Yes. A536 65-45-12 has a typical tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) for A842 Grade 400 — about 12% more.
Which is cheaper, A536 65-45-12 or A842 Grade 400?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, A536 65-45-12 or A842 Grade 400?
A536 65-45-12. Its machinability rates good (68/100) against fair (35/100) for A842 Grade 400; for welding the order is A536 65-45-12 first (fair, 35/100) then A842 Grade 400 (poor, 30/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A536 65-45-12 and A842 Grade 400 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.