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Refractory Metal MHC vs Mo-30W

Refractory Metal · grade comparison

Refractory Metal MHC and Mo-30W are both refractory metal grades. MHC is the stronger of the two: yield strength 800 MPa (116 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for Mo-30W, about 29% more; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi). In exchange, Mo-30W is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 12% for MHC, and MHC is harder (25 HRC vs 23 HRC). MHC is lighter (10.2 g/cm³ vs 11.9 g/cm³ for Mo-30W) and Mo-30W is stiffer (340 GPa vs 320 GPa).

MHCChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

Mo-30WChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

MHC vs Mo-30W: properties

MHCMo-30W

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

320 GPa46.4 Msi
340 GPa49.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

125 GPa18.1 Msi
131 GPa19 Msi

Bulk Modulus

265 GPa38.4 Msi
285 GPa41.3 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.32
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

900 MPa131 ksi
760 MPa110 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

800 MPa116 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

12%
18%

Reduction in Area

25%
30%

Compressive Strength

900 MPa131 ksi
650 MPa94.3 ksi

Shear Strength

550 MPa79.8 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

350 MPa50.8 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

20 MPa·√m18.2 ksi·√in
15 MPa·√m13.7 ksi·√in

Hardness, Rockwell C

25 HRC
23 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

265 HV
255 HV

Same in both: Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 6 J4.4 ft·lbf

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

10.2 g/cm³0.37 lb/in³
11.9 g/cm³0.43 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

2,600°C4,712 °F
2,740°C4,964 °F

Liquidus Temperature

2,620°C4,748 °F
2,800°C5,072 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

110 W/m·K63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
100 W/m·K57.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

260 J/kg·K0.06 BTU/lb·°F
215 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

5.3 µm/m·K2.9 µin/in·°F
5 µm/m·K2.8 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

385 J/g166 BTU/lb
355 J/g153 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,500°C2,732 °F
500°C932 °F

Min Service Temperature

20°C68 °F
0°C32 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

27 % IACS
13 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6.4×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.52 µΩ·in
1.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.12 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.15 V
-0.2 V

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
55 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Weldability

15 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

15 / 100
25 / 100

Castability

—
15 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 30 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 30% · Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

135 MJ/kg58,040 BTU/lb
205 MJ/kg88,134 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

9 kg CO₂/kg
13 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
220 L/kg26.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

25%
20%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

88 kN·m/kg
64 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

31.4 MN·m/kg
28.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,000 kJ/m³
565 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

41.5 mm²/s
39.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

58
45

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every refractory metal grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

1502003005007001,0001,5005101520Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleMo-30WMHC

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityMHCMo-30W
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

MHC vs Mo-30W — frequently asked

Is MHC stronger than Mo-30W?

Yes. MHC has a typical yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for Mo-30W — about 29% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi).

Which is cheaper, MHC or Mo-30W?

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

Which welds better, MHC or Mo-30W?

Mo-30W. Its weldability rates poor (20/100) against poor (15/100) for MHC.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in MHC and Mo-30W 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.