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Steel 16MnCrB5 vs 34MnB5

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 16MnCrB5 and 34MnB5 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 400 MPa — strength does not separate them. 16MnCrB5 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 14% for 34MnB5, and 34MnB5 is harder (185 HB vs 175 HB). On the shop floor, 16MnCrB5 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 34MnB5 (standard, $$).

16MnCrB5Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

16MnCrB5 vs 34MnB5: properties

16MnCrB534MnB5

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

400 MPa58 ksi
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

20%
14%

Reduction in Area

50%
45%

Compressive Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
—

Shear Strength

390 MPa56.6 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

60 J44.3 ft·lbf
40 J29.5 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

175 HB
185 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

88 HRB
89 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

185 HV
195 HV

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
55 MPa·√m50.1 ksi·√in

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 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 620 MPa89.9 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 280 MPa40.6 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Liquidus Temperature

1,490°C2,714 °F
1,495°C2,723 °F

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.

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
12.5 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

247 J/g106 BTU/lb
250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-30°C-22 °F
-40°C-40 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

8.5 % IACS
8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.87 µΩ·in
2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.65 V
-0.6 V

Corrosion Resistance

12 / 100
11 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

58 / 100
55 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

62%
60%

Weldability

50 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
60 / 100

Castability

25 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
45 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb
25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.2 kg CO₂/kg
2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Modulus of Resilience

381 kJ/m³
420 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

12.1 mm²/s
11.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

11
10

Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 79 kN·m/kg · 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.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale34MnB516MnCrB5

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability16MnCrB534MnB5
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.

16MnCrB5 vs 34MnB5 — frequently asked

What is the difference between 16MnCrB5 and 34MnB5?

Steel 16MnCrB5 and 34MnB5 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 400 MPa — strength does not separate them. 16MnCrB5 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 14% for 34MnB5, and 34MnB5 is harder (185 HB vs 175 HB).

Which is cheaper, 16MnCrB5 or 34MnB5?

16MnCrB5 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 welds better, 16MnCrB5 or 34MnB5?

34MnB5. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against fair (50/100) for 16MnCrB5.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 16MnCrB5 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.