Steel 12CrNi3A vs 34MnB5
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 12CrNi3A and 34MnB5 are both steel grades. 12CrNi3A is the stronger of the two: yield strength 785 MPa (114 ksi) against 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) for 34MnB5, about 87% more; tensile strength follows at 980 MPa (142 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). 12CrNi3A is harder — 300 HB against 185 HB for 34MnB5 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 34MnB5 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 200°C continuous) and 34MnB5 conducts heat better (44 W/m·K vs 34 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 34MnB5 machines more easily (good vs fair), 34MnB5 welds better (good vs fair), and 34MnB5 forms better (good vs poor).
12CrNi3AChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
34MnB5Choose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.
12CrNi3A vs 34MnB5: 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.
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 C
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F
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)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb
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)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.8 MN·m/kg
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 | 12CrNi3A | 34MnB5 |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | CR |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Black Oxide | — | Yes |
| Cerakote | — | Yes |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| E-Coating | — | Yes |
| Hot-Dip Galvanizing | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| PTFE Coating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
| Powder Coating | — | Yes |
| Tin Plating | — | Yes |
| Zinc Plating | — | Yes |
| Zinc-Flake (Dip-Spin) Coating | — | Yes |
| Zinc-Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
12CrNi3A vs 34MnB5 — frequently asked
Is 12CrNi3A stronger than 34MnB5?
Yes. 12CrNi3A has a typical yield strength of 785 MPa (114 ksi) against 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) for 34MnB5 — about 87% more. Tensile strength is 980 MPa (142 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 12CrNi3A or 34MnB5?
12CrNi3A is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 34MnB5 is standard ($$). 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, 12CrNi3A or 34MnB5?
34MnB5. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (40/100) for 12CrNi3A; for welding the order is 34MnB5 first (good, 55/100) then 12CrNi3A (fair, 35/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 12CrNi3A and 34MnB5 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.