Steel Böhler S390 vs Vanadis 4 Extra
Steel · grade comparison
Steel Böhler S390 and Vanadis 4 Extra are both steel grades. Vanadis 4 Extra is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) against 700 MPa (102 ksi) for Böhler S390, about 171% more; tensile strength follows at 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) vs 1,000 MPa (145 ksi). In exchange, Böhler S390 is the more ductile: elongation 10% versus 1% for Vanadis 4 Extra, and Vanadis 4 Extra is harder (60 HRC vs 31 HRC). Vanadis 4 Extra is lighter (7.7 g/cm³ vs 8 g/cm³ for Böhler S390) and Böhler S390 is stiffer (230 GPa vs 210 GPa).
Böhler S390Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Vanadis 4 ExtraChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Böhler S390 vs Vanadis 4 Extra: 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
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
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 1,420°C2,588 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 24 W/m·K13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
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)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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)
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 | Böhler S390 | Vanadis 4 Extra |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
Böhler S390 vs Vanadis 4 Extra — frequently asked
Is Vanadis 4 Extra stronger than Böhler S390?
Yes. Vanadis 4 Extra has a typical yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) against 700 MPa (102 ksi) for Böhler S390 — about 171% more. Tensile strength is 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) vs 1,000 MPa (145 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Böhler S390 or Vanadis 4 Extra?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Böhler S390 or Vanadis 4 Extra?
Böhler S390, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 25/100 against 18/100 for Vanadis 4 Extra.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Böhler S390 and Vanadis 4 Extra 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.