Steel M19 vs M400-50A
Steel · grade comparison
Steel M19 and M400-50A are both steel grades. M19 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for M400-50A, about 10% more. In exchange, M400-50A is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 25% for M19, and M400-50A is harder (160 HV vs 150 HV). M400-50A conducts electricity better (4.1 % IACS vs 3.3 % IACS). On the shop floor, M19 welds better (50 vs 40 out of 100) and M400-50A sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than M19 (standard, $$).
M19Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.
M400-50AChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.
M19 vs M400-50A: 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.
Shear Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Shear Strength 320 MPa46.4 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,480°C2,696 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F · 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
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.4 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 25%
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 5
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 | M19 | M400-50A |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Annealed | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Black Oxide | Yes | — |
| Cerakote | Yes | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| E-Coating | Yes | — |
| Hot-Dip Galvanizing | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| PTFE Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Powder Coating | Yes | — |
| Tin Plating | Yes | — |
| Zinc Plating | Yes | — |
| Zinc-Flake (Dip-Spin) Coating | Yes | — |
| Zinc-Nickel Plating | 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.
M19 vs M400-50A — frequently asked
Is M19 stronger than M400-50A?
Yes. M19 has a typical yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for M400-50A — about 10% more. Tensile strength is 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) vs 450 MPa (65.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, M19 or M400-50A?
M400-50A is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while M19 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, M19 or M400-50A?
M400-50A, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 50/100 against 45/100 for M19; for welding the order is M19 first (fair, 50/100) then M400-50A (fair, 40/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in M19 and M400-50A 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.