Steel 17Mn4 vs A516 Gr 60
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 17Mn4 and A516 Gr 60 are both steel grades, both pressure vessel steel. 17Mn4 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) for A516 Gr 60, about 25% more; tensile strength follows at 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) vs 460 MPa (66.7 ksi). In exchange, A516 Gr 60 is the more ductile: elongation 27% versus 22% for 17Mn4, and 17Mn4 is harder (155 HB vs 130 HB). A516 Gr 60 conducts electricity better (10 % IACS vs 9 % IACS).
17Mn4Choose it when strength drives the design.
A516 Gr 60Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
17Mn4 vs A516 Gr 60: 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
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)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 45 J33.2 ft·lbf
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
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 270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
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: Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 10
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 | 17Mn4 | A516 Gr 60 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | HR | HR |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 38 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, CrN, DLC, E-Coating and 26 more.
17Mn4 vs A516 Gr 60 — frequently asked
Is 17Mn4 stronger than A516 Gr 60?
Yes. 17Mn4 has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) for A516 Gr 60 — about 25% more. Tensile strength is 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) vs 460 MPa (66.7 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 17Mn4 or A516 Gr 60?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, 17Mn4 or A516 Gr 60?
A516 Gr 60, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 65/100 against 58/100 for 17Mn4; for welding the order is A516 Gr 60 first (excellent, 92/100) then 17Mn4 (excellent, 85/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 17Mn4 and A516 Gr 60 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.