Benchmark · 4 materials
Steel 42CrMoS4 vs Steel 1117 vs Steel 1141 vs Steel 1215
All steel grades — bands show the family's 10th–90th percentile. The best value in each row is in bold; metric first, imperial in gray.
Properties
| Property | 42CrMoS4 | 1117 | 1141 | 1215 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strengthMPa | 760 MPa110 ksi | 310 MPa45 ksi | 570 MPa83 ksi | 415 MPa60 ksi |
| Tensile strengthMPa | 1,080 MPa157 ksi | 475 MPa69 ksi | 655 MPa95 ksi | 540 MPa78 ksi |
| Specific strengthMPa·cm³/g | 97 | 40 | 73 | 53 |
| Densityg/cm³ | 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ | 7.84 g/cm³0.283 lb/in³ | 7.83 g/cm³0.283 lb/in³ | 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ |
| Hardness (HB equiv.)HB | 260 HB | 143 HB | 212 HB | 167 HB |
| Max service temp°C | 480 °C896 °F | 400 °C752 °F | 400 °C752 °F | 400 °C752 °F |
| Min service temp°C | -50 °C-58 °F | -20 °C-4 °F | -20 °C-4 °F | -20 °C-4 °F |
| Electrical conductivity% IACS | 9 % IACS5.2 MS/m | 10 % IACS5.8 MS/m | 9.5 % IACS5.5 MS/m | 10 % IACS5.8 MS/m |
| Machinability/100 | Excellent92 / 100 | Excellent90 / 100 | Excellent85 / 100 | Excellent100 / 100 |
| Weldability/100 | Poor20 / 100 | Not recommended10 / 100 | Poor15 / 100 | Not recommended5 / 100 |
| Formability/100 | Fair40 / 100 | Fair50 / 100 | Fair40 / 100 | Poor30 / 100 |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $ Budget | $$ Standard | $ Budget |
| Processes | CNC | CNC | CNC | CNC |
Where each grade sits
One track per property; coloured markers are the compared grades, the shaded band is the steel family 10th–90th percentile and the tick its median.
Yield strength760 MPa
250 MPafamily median 540 MPa1,270 MPa
Tensile strength1,080 MPa
420 MPafamily median 800 MPa1,750 MPa
Density7.85 g/cm³
7.8 g/cm³family median 7.85 g/cm³7.85 g/cm³
Hardness (HB equiv.)260 HB
134 HBfamily median 210 HB558 HB
Max service temp480 °C
200 °Cfamily median 400 °C540 °C
Electrical conductivity9 % IACS
5.7 % IACSfamily median 9.7 % IACS12 % IACS
Machinability92 / 100
29 / 100family median 75 / 10075 / 100
Relative cost16
14family median 2553
42CrMoS4111711411215
Strength versus weight
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 42CrMoS4 | 1117 | 1141 | 1215 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Default condition | Q&T | HR | HR | HR |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Heat treatments | Quench & Temper, Full Anneal, Stress Relief | Quench & Temper, Full Anneal, Stress Relief | Quench & Temper, Full Anneal, Stress Relief | Quench & Temper, Full Anneal, Stress Relief |
| AlCrN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AlTiN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Black Oxide | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CVD Al2O3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CVD TiCN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CVD TiN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cerakote | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chemical Etching | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Copper Plating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CrN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DLC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dot Peen Marking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| E-Coating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electro-chemical Etching | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electroless Nickel (EN) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Epoxy Coating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gold Plating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Showing 18 of 46 finishes — the full list is on each grade's datasheet.
Typical handbook values for the default condition, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.