Steel 10NiCr5-4 +C vs 10NiCr5-4-CH
Steel · 10NiCr5-4 temper comparison
10NiCr5-4 +C and 10NiCr5-4-CH are two conditions of the same steel grade, 10NiCr5-4: +C (cold drawn) versus CH (carburized and hardened). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 10NiCr5-4-CH is the stronger of the two: yield strength 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) against 545 MPa (79 ksi) for 10NiCr5-4 +C, about 25% more; tensile strength follows at 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 660 MPa (95.7 ksi). 10NiCr5-4-CH is harder — 300 HB against 205 HB for 10NiCr5-4 +C — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 10NiCr5-4 +C runs hotter in service (250°C vs 180°C continuous). On the shop floor, 10NiCr5-4 +C machines more easily (good vs not recommended), 10NiCr5-4 +C welds better (good vs not recommended), and 10NiCr5-4 +C forms better (poor vs not recommended).
10NiCr5-4 +CChoose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.
10NiCr5-4-CHChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
10NiCr5-4 +C vs 10NiCr5-4-CH: 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.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Elongation at Break 10% · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 35 J25.8 ft·lbf
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,480°C2,696 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,520°C2,768 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 465 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 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).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.6 V · Corrosion Resistance 13 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Castability 30 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 65 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 29 MJ/kg12,468 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.2 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%
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.
10NiCr5-4 +C vs 10NiCr5-4-CH — frequently asked
Is 10NiCr5-4-CH stronger than 10NiCr5-4 +C?
Yes. 10NiCr5-4-CH has a typical yield strength of 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) against 545 MPa (79 ksi) for 10NiCr5-4 +C — about 25% more. Tensile strength is 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 660 MPa (95.7 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, +C or CH?
+FP is the default 10NiCr5-4 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither +C nor CH). The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which is easier to machine, 10NiCr5-4 +C or 10NiCr5-4-CH?
10NiCr5-4 +C. Its machinability rates good (65/100) against not recommended (10/100) for 10NiCr5-4-CH; for welding the order is 10NiCr5-4 +C first (good, 55/100) then 10NiCr5-4-CH (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 10NiCr5-4 +C and 10NiCr5-4-CH 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.