Steel 12CrMoV vs 60Si2Mn
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 12CrMoV and 60Si2Mn are both steel grades. 60Si2Mn is the stronger of the two: yield strength 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for 12CrMoV, about 60% more; tensile strength follows at 800 MPa (116 ksi) vs 540 MPa (78.3 ksi). In exchange, 12CrMoV is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 15% for 60Si2Mn, and 60Si2Mn is harder (255 HB vs 155 HB). 12CrMoV runs hotter in service (570°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, 12CrMoV machines more easily (good vs fair), 12CrMoV welds better (good vs poor), and 12CrMoV sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 60Si2Mn (standard, $$).
12CrMoVChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
60Si2MnChoose it when strength drives the design.
12CrMoV vs 60Si2Mn: 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.6 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | 12CrMoV | 60Si2Mn |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Annealed |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard |
| 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.
12CrMoV vs 60Si2Mn — frequently asked
Is 60Si2Mn stronger than 12CrMoV?
Yes. 60Si2Mn has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for 12CrMoV — about 60% more. Tensile strength is 800 MPa (116 ksi) vs 540 MPa (78.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 12CrMoV or 60Si2Mn?
12CrMoV is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 60Si2Mn is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, 12CrMoV or 60Si2Mn?
12CrMoV. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (45/100) for 60Si2Mn; for welding the order is 12CrMoV first (good, 60/100) then 60Si2Mn (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 12CrMoV and 60Si2Mn 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.