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Steel 15CrMn vs 4620

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 15CrMn and 4620 are both steel grades. 4620 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for 15CrMn, about 13% more. 4620 is the more ductile: elongation 26% versus 22% for 15CrMn. 4620 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous). On the shop floor, 15CrMn sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 4620 (standard, $$).

15CrMnChoose it when cost is the deciding factor.

4620Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

15CrMn vs 4620: properties

15CrMn4620

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

210 GPa30.5 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
570 MPa82.7 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

320 MPa46.4 ksi
360 MPa52.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

22%
26%

Shear Strength

350 MPa50.8 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
260 MPa37.7 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

70 J51.6 ft·lbf
85 J62.7 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

160 HB
163 HB

Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Reduction in Area 55% · Hardness, Rockwell B 84 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Liquidus Temperature 1,500°C2,732 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
46 W/m·K26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
475 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

270 J/g116 BTU/lb
250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

350°C662 °F
400°C752 °F

Min Service Temperature

-40°C-40 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 8 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.62 V
-0.61 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 12 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

58 / 100
57 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

60%
65%

Weldability

60 / 100
65 / 100

Formability (cold)

60 / 100
58 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

65 / 100
70 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb
29 MJ/kg12,468 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.3 kg CO₂/kg
2.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

70 kN·m/kg
73 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.8 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

244 kJ/m³
316 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.9 mm²/s
12.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

10
11

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.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale462015CrMn

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability15CrMn4620
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—HR
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.

15CrMn vs 4620 — frequently asked

Is 4620 stronger than 15CrMn?

Yes. 4620 has a typical yield strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for 15CrMn — about 13% more. Tensile strength is 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 15CrMn or 4620?

15CrMn is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 4620 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 welds better, 15CrMn or 4620?

4620. Its weldability rates good (65/100) against good (60/100) for 15CrMn.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 15CrMn and 4620 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.