Steel 20MnCr5 vs 34MnB5
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 20MnCr5 and 34MnB5 are both steel grades. 20MnCr5 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) against 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) for 34MnB5, about 10% more; tensile strength follows at 750 MPa (109 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). 20MnCr5 is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 14% for 34MnB5, and 20MnCr5 is harder (210 HB vs 185 HB). 34MnB5 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 250°C continuous). On the shop floor, 34MnB5 welds better (good vs fair).
20MnCr5Choose 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 it will be welded.
20MnCr5 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)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
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.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Liquidus Temperature 1,495°C2,723 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
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.
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability 55 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 60%
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
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 | 20MnCr5 | 34MnB5 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Default condition | HR | CR |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| AlCrN | Yes | — |
| AlTiN | Yes | — |
| CVD Al2O3 | Yes | — |
| CVD TiCN | Yes | — |
| CVD TiN | Yes | — |
| CrN | Yes | — |
| DLC | Yes | — |
| HVOF Coating | Yes | — |
| MoS2 | Yes | — |
| Multilayer CVD | Yes | — |
| TiAlN | Yes | — |
| TiB2 | Yes | — |
| TiCN | Yes | — |
| TiN | Yes | — |
| WC/C | Yes | — |
| ZrN | Yes | — |
Both are offered for Sheet metal. They share 22 finishes: Black Oxide, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, E-Coating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Hot-Dip Galvanizing, Manganese Phosphate, Nickel Plating and 10 more.
20MnCr5 vs 34MnB5 — frequently asked
Is 20MnCr5 stronger than 34MnB5?
Yes. 20MnCr5 has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) against 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) for 34MnB5 — about 10% more. Tensile strength is 750 MPa (109 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 20MnCr5 or 34MnB5?
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 welds better, 20MnCr5 or 34MnB5?
34MnB5. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against fair (45/100) for 20MnCr5.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 20MnCr5 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.