Steel 16MnCrS5 vs 55Cr3 vs 42CrMo4 vs 34MnB5
Benchmark · 4 materials
Side-by-side benchmark of 4 steel grades.
16MnCrS5 vs 55Cr3 and 2 more: 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Compressive Strength
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Electrical Conductivity
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 Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | 16MnCrS5 | 55Cr3 | 42CrMo4 | 34MnB5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Sheet metal | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Default condition | HR | Annealed | HR | CR |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm | |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm | |
| AlCrN | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| AlTiN | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| CVD Al2O3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| CVD TiCN | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| CVD TiN | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| CrN | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| DLC | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| HVOF Coating | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| MoS2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Multilayer CVD | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| TiAlN | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| TiB2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| TiCN | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| TiN | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| WC/C | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| ZrN | Yes | Yes | Yes |
They share 22 finishes: Black Oxide, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, E-Coating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Hot-Dip Galvanizing, Manganese Phosphate, Nickel Plating and 10 more.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 16MnCrS5 and 55Cr3 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.