Steel A842 Grade 400 vs A842 Grade 450
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A842 Grade 400 and A842 Grade 450 are both steel grades. A842 Grade 450 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) against 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) for A842 Grade 400, about 14% more. In exchange, A842 Grade 400 is the more ductile: elongation 2% versus 1.5% for A842 Grade 450, and A842 Grade 450 is harder (240 HB vs 220 HB). A842 Grade 450 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous) and A842 Grade 400 conducts electricity better (3.1 % IACS vs 2.2 % IACS).
A842 Grade 400Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
A842 Grade 450Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
A842 Grade 400 vs A842 Grade 450: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.26 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 350 MPa50.8 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,150°C2,102 °F
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).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.6 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Same in both: Machinability 35 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 45% · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100 · Polishability 45 / 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
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 10
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 | A842 Grade 400 | A842 Grade 450 |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
A842 Grade 400 vs A842 Grade 450 — frequently asked
Is A842 Grade 450 stronger than A842 Grade 400?
Yes. A842 Grade 450 has a typical tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) against 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) for A842 Grade 400 — about 14% more.
Which is cheaper, A842 Grade 400 or A842 Grade 450?
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 welds better, A842 Grade 400 or A842 Grade 450?
A842 Grade 400. Its weldability rates poor (30/100) against poor (25/100) for A842 Grade 450.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A842 Grade 400 and A842 Grade 450 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.