Steel A842 Grade 400 vs G3500
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A842 Grade 400 and G3500 are both steel grades. A842 Grade 400 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) for G3500, about 94% more; tensile strength follows at 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) vs 250 MPa (36.3 ksi). A842 Grade 400 is the more ductile: elongation 2% versus 0.5% for G3500. A842 Grade 400 is stiffer (145 GPa vs 110 GPa) and G3500 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous). On the shop floor, G3500 machines more easily (very good vs fair) and G3500 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than A842 Grade 400 (standard, $$).
A842 Grade 400Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
G3500Choose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.
A842 Grade 400 vs G3500: 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)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
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
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
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 220 J/g94.6 BTU/lb · 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
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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 | A842 Grade 400 | G3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget |
| 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 G3500 — frequently asked
Is A842 Grade 400 stronger than G3500?
Yes. A842 Grade 400 has a typical yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) for G3500 — about 94% more. Tensile strength is 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) vs 250 MPa (36.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, A842 Grade 400 or G3500?
G3500 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while A842 Grade 400 is standard ($$). 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, A842 Grade 400 or G3500?
G3500. Its machinability rates very good (78/100) against fair (35/100) for A842 Grade 400; for welding the order is A842 Grade 400 first (poor, 30/100) then G3500 (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A842 Grade 400 and G3500 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.