Steel 27NiCrMoV15-6 vs 42CrMo4
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 27NiCrMoV15-6 and 42CrMo4 are both steel grades. 27NiCrMoV15-6 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 930 MPa (135 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for 42CrMo4, about 69% more; tensile strength follows at 1,080 MPa (157 ksi) vs 850 MPa (123 ksi). 27NiCrMoV15-6 is harder — 330 HB against 245 HB for 42CrMo4 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 42CrMo4 conducts heat better (42.6 W/m·K vs 34 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 42CrMo4 machines more easily (50 vs 38 out of 100), 42CrMo4 welds better (fair vs poor), and 42CrMo4 forms better (fair vs poor).
27NiCrMoV15-6Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
42CrMo4Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when it will be welded.
27NiCrMoV15-6 vs 42CrMo4: 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.
Bulk 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)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
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)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °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.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Same in both: Embodied Water 60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%
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 | 27NiCrMoV15-6 | 42CrMo4 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | HR |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| AlCrN | — | Yes |
| AlTiN | — | Yes |
| Black Oxide | — | Yes |
| CVD Al2O3 | — | Yes |
| CVD TiCN | — | Yes |
| CVD TiN | — | Yes |
| Cerakote | — | Yes |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| CrN | — | Yes |
| DLC | — | Yes |
| E-Coating | — | Yes |
| HVOF Coating | — | Yes |
| Hot-Dip Galvanizing | — | Yes |
| MoS2 | — | Yes |
| Multilayer CVD | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| PTFE Coating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | 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.
27NiCrMoV15-6 vs 42CrMo4 — frequently asked
Is 27NiCrMoV15-6 stronger than 42CrMo4?
Yes. 27NiCrMoV15-6 has a typical yield strength of 930 MPa (135 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for 42CrMo4 — about 69% more. Tensile strength is 1,080 MPa (157 ksi) vs 850 MPa (123 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 27NiCrMoV15-6 or 42CrMo4?
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, 27NiCrMoV15-6 or 42CrMo4?
42CrMo4, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 50/100 against 38/100 for 27NiCrMoV15-6; for welding the order is 42CrMo4 first (fair, 35/100) then 27NiCrMoV15-6 (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 27NiCrMoV15-6 and 42CrMo4 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.