Benchmark · 4 materials
Steel 50CrV4 vs Steel 5160 vs Steel 55Cr3 vs Steel 60Si2MnA
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 | 50CrV4 | 5160 | 55Cr3 | 60Si2MnA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strengthMPa | 690 MPa100 ksi | 760 MPa110 ksi | 540 MPa78 ksi | 460 MPa67 ksi |
| Tensile strengthMPa | 1,280 MPa186 ksi | 860 MPa125 ksi | 1,280 MPa186 ksi | 1,280 MPa186 ksi |
| Specific strengthMPa·cm³/g | 88 | 97 | 69 | 59 |
| Densityg/cm³ | 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ | 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ | 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ | 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ |
| Hardness (HB equiv.)HB | 230 HB | 200 HB | 200 HB | 230 HB |
| Max service temp°C | 250 °C482 °F | 425 °C797 °F | 250 °C482 °F | 250 °C482 °F |
| Min service temp°C | -50 °C-58 °F | -40 °C-40 °F | -50 °C-58 °F | -50 °C-58 °F |
| Electrical conductivity% IACS | 9.5 % IACS5.5 MS/m | 7.2 % IACS4.2 MS/m | 9.5 % IACS5.5 MS/m | 9.5 % IACS5.5 MS/m |
| Machinability/100 | Fair40 / 100 | Fair50 / 100 | Fair40 / 100 | Fair40 / 100 |
| Weldability/100 | Fair40 / 100 | Fair35 / 100 | Fair40 / 100 | Fair40 / 100 |
| Formability/100 | Very good75 / 100 | Poor30 / 100 | Very good75 / 100 | Very good75 / 100 |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Processes | CNC, Sheet | CNC, Sheet | CNC, Sheet | CNC, Sheet |
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 strength690 MPa
250 MPafamily median 540 MPa1,270 MPa
Tensile strength1,280 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.)230 HB
134 HBfamily median 210 HB558 HB
Max service temp250 °C
200 °Cfamily median 400 °C540 °C
Electrical conductivity9.5 % IACS
5.7 % IACSfamily median 9.7 % IACS12 % IACS
Machinability40 / 100
29 / 100family median 75 / 10075 / 100
Relative cost25
14family median 2553
50CrV4516055Cr360Si2MnA
Strength versus weight
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 50CrV4 | 5160 | 55Cr3 | 60Si2MnA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sheet metal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Default condition | Annealed | Annealed | Annealed | Annealed |
| 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 |
| Embossing / Debossing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Epoxy Coating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Showing 18 of 47 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.