Steel S4 Annealed vs S4-HR
Steel · S4 temper comparison
S4 Annealed and S4-HR are two conditions of the same steel grade, S4: Annealed versus HR (hot rolled). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. S4-HR is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) for S4 Annealed, about 44% more; tensile strength follows at 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 720 MPa (104 ksi). In exchange, S4 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 15% for S4-HR, and S4-HR is harder (280 HB vs 210 HB). On the shop floor, S4 Annealed machines more easily (fair vs poor).
S4 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
S4-HRChoose it when strength drives the design.
S4 Annealed vs S4-HR: 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.
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
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 207 GPa30 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.79 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,480°C2,696 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 25 W/m·K14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.4 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 3.1 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 5.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m21.7 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.55 V · Corrosion Resistance 12 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100 · Polishability 55 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 33 MJ/kg14,187 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.4 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 65 L/kg7.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 35%
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.
S4 Annealed vs S4-HR — frequently asked
Is S4-HR stronger than S4 Annealed?
Yes. S4-HR has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) for S4 Annealed — about 44% more. Tensile strength is 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 720 MPa (104 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or HR?
Annealed is the default S4 condition in the FabDigit quote flow. The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which is easier to machine, S4 Annealed or S4-HR?
S4 Annealed. Its machinability rates fair (48/100) against poor (32/100) for S4-HR; for welding the order is S4 Annealed first (poor, 22/100) then S4-HR (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in S4 Annealed and S4-HR 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.