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Steel 17Mn4 vs P92

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 17Mn4 and P92 are both steel grades, both pressure vessel steel. P92 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) for 17Mn4, about 88% more; tensile strength follows at 850 MPa (123 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi). In exchange, 17Mn4 is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 17% for P92, and P92 is harder (280 HB vs 155 HB). 17Mn4 conducts heat better (48 W/m·K vs 27 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 17Mn4 machines more easily (good vs poor) and 17Mn4 welds better (excellent vs poor).

17Mn4Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

P92Choose it when strength drives the design.

17Mn4 vs P92: properties

17Mn4P92

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

210 GPa30.5 Msi
216 GPa31.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

81 GPa11.7 Msi
84 GPa12.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

160 GPa23.2 Msi
165 GPa23.9 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

520 MPa75.4 ksi
850 MPa123 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

330 MPa47.9 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

22%
17%

Reduction in Area

48%
50%

Compressive Strength

330 MPa47.9 ksi
630 MPa91.4 ksi

Shear Strength

335 MPa48.6 ksi
510 MPa74 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

235 MPa34.1 ksi
385 MPa55.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in
70 MPa·√m63.7 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

45 J33.2 ft·lbf
30 J22.1 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

155 HB
280 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

82 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

163 HV
295 HV

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
29 HRC

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.78 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,450°C2,642 °F
1,425°C2,597 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,510°C2,750 °F
1,495°C2,723 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

48 W/m·K27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
27 W/m·K15.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

9 % IACS
2.8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.48 µΩ·in
6.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m24.4 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.62 V
—

Corrosion Resistance

12 / 100
28 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

58 / 100
28 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

62%
32%

Weldability

85 / 100
30 / 100

Formability (cold)

65 / 100
20 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
30 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
36 MJ/kg15,477 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2 kg CO₂/kg
2.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

66 kN·m/kg
109 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.8 MN·m/kg
27.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

259 kJ/m³
890 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.3 mm²/s
7.5 mm²/s

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.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale17Mn4P92

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability17Mn4P92
Default conditionHRHR
Relative cost$$ Standard$$ Standard
Min. machined wall0.8 mm0.8 mm
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µmRa 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 P92 — frequently asked

Is P92 stronger than 17Mn4?

Yes. P92 has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) for 17Mn4 — about 88% more. Tensile strength is 850 MPa (123 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 17Mn4 or P92?

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 P92?

17Mn4. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against poor (28/100) for P92; for welding the order is 17Mn4 first (excellent, 85/100) then P92 (poor, 30/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 17Mn4 and P92 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.