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Steel SCM422 vs SCM432

Steel · grade comparison

Steel SCM422 and SCM432 are both steel grades. SCM432 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 850 MPa (123 ksi) against 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) for SCM422, about 130% more; tensile strength follows at 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 580 MPa (84.1 ksi). In exchange, SCM422 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 17% for SCM432, and SCM432 is harder (293 HB vs 170 HB). SCM432 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous).

SCM422Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

SCM432Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

SCM422 vs SCM432: properties

SCM422SCM432

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

206 GPa29.9 Msi
207 GPa30 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

580 MPa84.1 ksi
1,000 MPa145 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

370 MPa53.7 ksi
850 MPa123 ksi

Elongation at Break

25%
17%

Reduction in Area

55%
56%

Shear Strength

360 MPa52.2 ksi
600 MPa87 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

280 MPa40.6 ksi
470 MPa68.2 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

45 J33.2 ft·lbf
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

170 HB
293 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

87 HRB
—

Compressive Strength

—
860 MPa125 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
85 MPa·√m77.4 ksi·√in

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
31 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

—
308 HV

Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,500°C2,732 °F
1,495°C2,723 °F

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Specific Heat Capacity

470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
473 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

350°C662 °F
400°C752 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

8 % IACS
7.8 % IACS

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.6 V
-0.62 V

Corrosion Resistance

10 / 100
12 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

60%
55%

Weldability

40 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
40 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
65 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 55 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb
28 MJ/kg12,038 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.3 kg CO₂/kg
2.1 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

25%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

74 kN·m/kg
127 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.2 MN·m/kg
26.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

332 kJ/m³
1,745 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.4 mm²/s
11.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

10
16

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 scaleSCM422SCM432

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilitySCM422SCM432
Default condition——
Relative cost$ Budget$ Budget
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.

SCM422 vs SCM432 — frequently asked

Is SCM432 stronger than SCM422?

Yes. SCM432 has a typical yield strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) against 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) for SCM422 — about 130% more. Tensile strength is 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 580 MPa (84.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, SCM422 or SCM432?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($, budget); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which welds better, SCM422 or SCM432?

SCM432. Its weldability rates fair (45/100) against fair (40/100) for SCM422.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SCM422 and SCM432 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.