Steel 18NiCrMo14-6 vs 34MnB5
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 18NiCrMo14-6 and 34MnB5 are both steel grades. 18NiCrMo14-6 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) against 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) for 34MnB5, about 19% more; tensile strength follows at 750 MPa (109 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). 18NiCrMo14-6 is the more ductile: elongation 16% versus 14% for 34MnB5, and 18NiCrMo14-6 is harder (220 HB vs 185 HB). 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 poor), and 34MnB5 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 18NiCrMo14-6 (premium, $$$).
18NiCrMo14-6Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
34MnB5Choose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.
18NiCrMo14-6 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.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
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 · Reduction in Area 45%
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)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
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)
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 25%
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 | 18NiCrMo14-6 | 34MnB5 |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | CR |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ 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.
18NiCrMo14-6 vs 34MnB5 — frequently asked
Is 18NiCrMo14-6 stronger than 34MnB5?
Yes. 18NiCrMo14-6 has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) against 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) for 34MnB5 — about 19% more. Tensile strength is 750 MPa (109 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 18NiCrMo14-6 or 34MnB5?
34MnB5 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 18NiCrMo14-6 is premium ($$$). 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, 18NiCrMo14-6 or 34MnB5?
34MnB5. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (45/100) for 18NiCrMo14-6; for welding the order is 34MnB5 first (good, 55/100) then 18NiCrMo14-6 (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 18NiCrMo14-6 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.