Steel B50A470 vs M4
Steel · grade comparison
Steel B50A470 and M4 are both steel grades. M4 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) for B50A470, about 80% more; tensile strength follows at 880 MPa (128 ksi) vs 450 MPa (65.3 ksi). In exchange, B50A470 is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 12% for M4, and M4 is harder (250 HB vs 157 HB). B50A470 is lighter (7.7 g/cm³ vs 7.97 g/cm³ for M4) and M4 is stiffer (217 GPa vs 200 GPa). On the shop floor, B50A470 machines more easily (good vs poor), B50A470 welds better (fair vs poor), and B50A470 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than M4 (specialty, $$$$$).
B50A470Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
M4Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
B50A470 vs M4: 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)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell C
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)
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °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)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Castability
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 | B50A470 | M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Default condition | Final Annealed | Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| AlCrN | — | Yes |
| AlTiN | — | Yes |
| CVD Al2O3 | — | Yes |
| CVD TiCN | — | Yes |
| CVD TiN | — | Yes |
| CrN | — | Yes |
| DLC | — | Yes |
| HVOF Coating | — | Yes |
| MoS2 | — | Yes |
| Multilayer CVD | — | Yes |
| TiAlN | — | Yes |
| TiB2 | — | Yes |
| TiCN | — | Yes |
| TiN | — | Yes |
| WC/C | — | Yes |
| ZrN | — | Yes |
They share 22 finishes: Black Oxide, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, E-Coating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Hot-Dip Galvanizing, Manganese Phosphate, Nickel Plating and 10 more.
B50A470 vs M4 — frequently asked
Is M4 stronger than B50A470?
Yes. M4 has a typical yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) for B50A470 — about 80% more. Tensile strength is 880 MPa (128 ksi) vs 450 MPa (65.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, B50A470 or M4?
B50A470 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while M4 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, B50A470 or M4?
B50A470. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against poor (25/100) for M4; for welding the order is B50A470 first (fair, 50/100) then M4 (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in B50A470 and M4 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.