Steel 100Cr6 vs 100CrMn6
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 100Cr6 and 100CrMn6 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 420 MPa — strength does not separate them. 100Cr6 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 150°C continuous) and 100Cr6 conducts electricity better (8 % IACS vs 6 % IACS). On the shop floor, 100CrMn6 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 100Cr6 (standard, $$).
100Cr6Choose it when the part sees heat.
100CrMn6Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.
100Cr6 vs 100CrMn6: 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.
Poisson's Ratio
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 660 MPa95.7 ksi · Elongation at Break 22% · Reduction in Area 48% · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 25 J18.4 ft·lbf · Hardness, Brinell 200 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 94 HRB · Hardness, Vickers 210 HV
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.81 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 12 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability 45 / 100 · Weldability 12 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 32 MJ/kg13,758 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.3 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 30%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 85 kN·m/kg · Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.9 MN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 12
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 | 100Cr6 | 100CrMn6 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Annealed | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| AlCrN | Yes | — |
| AlTiN | Yes | — |
| Black Oxide | Yes | — |
| CVD Al2O3 | Yes | — |
| CVD TiCN | Yes | — |
| CVD TiN | Yes | — |
| Cerakote | Yes | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| CrN | Yes | — |
| DLC | Yes | — |
| E-Coating | Yes | — |
| HVOF Coating | Yes | — |
| Hot-Dip Galvanizing | Yes | — |
| MoS2 | Yes | — |
| Multilayer CVD | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| PTFE Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
100Cr6 vs 100CrMn6 — frequently asked
What is the difference between 100Cr6 and 100CrMn6?
Steel 100Cr6 and 100CrMn6 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 420 MPa — strength does not separate them. 100Cr6 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 150°C continuous) and 100Cr6 conducts electricity better (8 % IACS vs 6 % IACS).
Which is cheaper, 100Cr6 or 100CrMn6?
100CrMn6 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 100Cr6 is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
When should I choose 100Cr6 over 100CrMn6?
Pick 100Cr6 when the part sees heat. Pick 100CrMn6 when cost is the deciding factor.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 100Cr6 and 100CrMn6 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.