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Steel Dillidur 400V vs Hardox 500

Steel · grade comparison

Steel Dillidur 400V and Hardox 500 are both steel grades. Hardox 500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) against 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) for Dillidur 400V, about 18% more; tensile strength follows at 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) vs 1,250 MPa (181 ksi). In exchange, Dillidur 400V is the more ductile: elongation 10% versus 8% for Hardox 500, and Hardox 500 is harder (500 HB vs 400 HB). Dillidur 400V conducts heat better (38 W/m·K vs 30 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Dillidur 400V sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than Hardox 500 (standard, $$).

Dillidur 400VChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

Hardox 500Choose it when strength drives the design.

Dillidur 400V vs Hardox 500: properties

Dillidur 400VHardox 500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

81 GPa11.7 Msi
80 GPa11.6 Msi

Bulk Modulus

165 GPa23.9 Msi
160 GPa23.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

1,250 MPa181 ksi
1,600 MPa232 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

1,100 MPa160 ksi
1,300 MPa189 ksi

Elongation at Break

10%
8%

Reduction in Area

40%
—

Compressive Strength

1,100 MPa160 ksi
1,300 MPa189 ksi

Shear Strength

750 MPa109 ksi
960 MPa139 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
650 MPa94.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

75 MPa·√m68.3 ksi·√in
60 MPa·√m54.6 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

70 J51.6 ft·lbf
40 J29.5 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

400 HB
500 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

43 HRC
50 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

420 HV
530 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Liquidus Temperature 1,500°C2,732 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

38 W/m·K22 BTU/hr·ft·°F
30 W/m·K17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

260 J/g112 BTU/lb
250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 250°C482 °F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

7.8 % IACS
6 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.8 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.62 V · Corrosion Resistance 12 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

28 / 100
22 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

25%
18%

Formability (cold)

30 / 100
25 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
60 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb
30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.2 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

159 kN·m/kg
204 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

2,881 kJ/m³
4,024 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

10.3 mm²/s
8.1 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.8 MN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 19

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.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleHardox 500Dillidur 400V

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityDillidur 400VHardox 500
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—Q&T
Relative cost$ Budget$$ Standard
Min. machined wall—0.8 mm
Best machined surface—Ra 1.6 µm
AlCrN—Yes
AlTiN—Yes
Black Oxide—Yes
CVD Al2O3—Yes
CVD TiCN—Yes
CVD TiN—Yes
Cerakote—Yes
Chrome Plating—Yes
CrN—Yes
DLC—Yes
E-Coating—Yes
HVOF Coating—Yes
Hot-Dip Galvanizing—Yes
MoS2—Yes
Multilayer CVD—Yes
Nickel Plating—Yes
PTFE Coating—Yes
Painting—Yes

They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.

Dillidur 400V vs Hardox 500 — frequently asked

Is Hardox 500 stronger than Dillidur 400V?

Yes. Hardox 500 has a typical yield strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) against 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) for Dillidur 400V — about 18% more. Tensile strength is 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) vs 1,250 MPa (181 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Dillidur 400V or Hardox 500?

Dillidur 400V is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while Hardox 500 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, Dillidur 400V or Hardox 500?

Dillidur 400V, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 22/100 for Hardox 500.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Dillidur 400V and Hardox 500 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.