Steel 4J42-CD (Cold drawn)
Supply condition
GB 4J42 · UNS K94100
Standard supply state for bar and wire that will be machined into pins, headers and eyelets.
Values for the CD condition
Other 4J42 tempers and conditions
4J42 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 4J42.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault bright/hydrogen annealed soft condition (strip, plate, bar) | Standard stocked condition for glass sealing, deep drawing and lead-frame stamping; gives the specified low, stable expansion coefficient. | 285 | 510 | 35 | 145 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Mill condition for thick plate and forgings; requires stress-relief/annealing before precision machining or sealing. | 300 | 520 | 30 | 155 HB | 2.5 % IACS |
Cold Rolled 1/4 Hard | Pick when annealed strip is too soft to feed/stamp cleanly but good ductility is still needed. | 430 | 580 | 20 | 175 HB | 2.5 % IACS |
CDThis page Cold drawn | Standard supply state for bar and wire that will be machined into pins, headers and eyelets. | 490 | 630 | 15 | 11 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Cold Rolled 1/2 Hard | Use for spring-back-controlled formed parts and stiffer stamped frames/covers. | 560 | 660 | 10 | 17 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
Cold Rolled Hard | Highest strength and flatness for thin foil, shims and spring-type contacts; must be annealed if low-expansion accuracy after forming is critical. | 720 | 810 | 3 | 27 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
What is 4J42-CD?
4J42-CD is 4J42 supplied in the CD condition — standard supply state for bar and wire that will be machined into pins, headers and eyelets. 4J42-CD has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 630 MPa (91.4 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 145 GPa (21 Msi). 4J42-CD has a density of 8.12 g/cm³ (0.293 lb/in³), heavier than 97% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CD is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 28/100, better than 94% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 12.6 W/m·K (7.28 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 99% of steel grades
- Low stiffness — 145 GPa (21 Msi), worse than 98% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 6.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 98% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.4 % IACS, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
4J42-CD properties
Typical room-temperature values for 4J42-CD; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 4J42 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
4J42-CD has a density of 8.12 g/cm³ (0.293 lb/in³), heavier than 97% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical14
4J42-CD has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 630 MPa (91.4 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 145 GPa (21 Msi).
Thermal5
4J42-CD is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 12.6 W/m·K (7.28 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 99% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 5.3 µm/m·K (2.94 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
4J42-CD conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, worse than 97% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (28/100), better than 94% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 4J42-CD takes about 70 MJ of energy and emits 6.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 97% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
4J42-CD's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability good (65/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 4J42-CD
Is 4J42 easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening like austenitic stainless: use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setups, low speed/high feed and flood coolant; avoid dwelling to prevent glazing.
Can 4J42 be welded?
Resistance, laser and GTAW welding are routine with matching Fe-42Ni filler; keep heat input low and interpass clean, since carbon/sulfur pickup causes porosity and gas leakage in seals.
Can 4J42 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-drawing and stamping in the annealed state; interstage anneal for severe draws and always re-anneal (with controlled H₂/vacuum cycle) before glass sealing to restore expansion accuracy.
What surface finishes work on 4J42?
Not anodizable — protect with electroplated Ni, Ni+Au, Ag or Sn; oxidize the surface in a controlled wet-H₂/air cycle before glass-to-metal sealing to form the adherent bonding oxide.
4J42 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Nicontrols expansion coefficient | 41.5 – 42.5 | 42 |
| C | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Si | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
4J42-CD — frequently asked
What is 4J42-CD used for?
4J42-CD is typically used for IC lead frames, electronic component headers and glass-metal seals. In short: 42Ni lead-frame alloy; alloy 42 equivalent; soft-glass sealing strip.
What is the yield strength of 4J42-CD?
4J42-CD has a typical yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 630 MPa (91.4 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 4J42-CD easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Gummy and work-hardening like austenitic stainless: use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setups, low speed/high feed and flood coolant; avoid dwelling to prevent glazing.
Can 4J42-CD be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Resistance, laser and GTAW welding are routine with matching Fe-42Ni filler; keep heat input low and interpass clean, since carbon/sulfur pickup causes porosity and gas leakage in seals.
What surface finishes work on 4J42-CD?
Not anodizable — protect with electroplated Ni, Ni+Au, Ag or Sn; oxidize the surface in a controlled wet-H₂/air cycle before glass-to-metal sealing to form the adherent bonding oxide.
Can 4J42-CD be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-drawing and stamping in the annealed state; interstage anneal for severe draws and always re-anneal (with controlled H₂/vacuum cycle) before glass sealing to restore expansion accuracy.
What is the maximum service temperature of 4J42-CD?
4J42-CD is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 4J42 Annealed and 4J42 CR-H?
Annealed is the default condition — standard stocked condition for glass sealing, deep drawing and lead-frame stamping; gives the specified low, stable expansion coefficient. CR-H: highest strength and flatness for thin foil, shims and spring-type contacts; must be annealed if low-expansion accuracy after forming is critical. Yield strength is 285 MPa in Annealed versus 720 MPa in CR-H.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Controlled-Expansion Alloys (Alloy 42) — ASM International (1990)
- Alloy 42 / Nilo 42 controlled-expansion strip datasheet — Carpenter / Special Metals (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.