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Steel 30CrMoV9 vs A514

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 30CrMoV9 and A514 are both steel grades. 30CrMoV9 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) against 800 MPa (116 ksi) for A514, about 25% more. In exchange, A514 is the more ductile: elongation 19% versus 11% for 30CrMoV9, and 30CrMoV9 is harder (305 HB vs 250 HB). 30CrMoV9 runs hotter in service (450°C vs 400°C continuous) and A514 conducts heat better (42 W/m·K vs 34 W/m·K). On the shop floor, A514 welds better (good vs poor).

30CrMoV9Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

A514Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

30CrMoV9 vs A514: properties

30CrMoV9A514

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

210 GPa30.5 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

81 GPa11.7 Msi
80 GPa11.6 Msi

Bulk Modulus

165 GPa23.9 Msi
160 GPa23.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

1,000 MPa145 ksi
800 MPa116 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

750 MPa109 ksi
760 MPa110 ksi

Elongation at Break

11%
19%

Reduction in Area

45%
50%

Shear Strength

620 MPa89.9 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

500 MPa72.5 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

70 MPa·√m63.7 ksi·√in
120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

40 J29.5 ft·lbf
75 J55.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

305 HB
250 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

31 HRC
24 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

320 HV
262 HV

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
100 HRB

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Compressive Strength 760 MPa110 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,430°C2,606 °F
1,425°C2,597 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,500°C2,732 °F
1,510°C2,750 °F

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

34 W/m·K19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

450°C842 °F
400°C752 °F

Min Service Temperature

-40°C-40 °F
-45°C-49 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

7.8 % IACS
7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
2.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.45 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

18 / 100
16 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.6 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
38 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

45%
40%

Weldability

22 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
30 / 100

Castability

20 / 100
—

Polishability

65 / 100
50 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb
31 MJ/kg13,328 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

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

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.4 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

127 kN·m/kg
102 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.8 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,339 kJ/m³
1,409 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

9.4 mm²/s
11.4 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 14

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 scaleA51430CrMoV9

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability30CrMoV9A514
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—Q&T
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.

30CrMoV9 vs A514 — frequently asked

Is 30CrMoV9 stronger than A514?

Yes. 30CrMoV9 has a typical tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) against 800 MPa (116 ksi) for A514 — about 25% more.

Which is cheaper, 30CrMoV9 or A514?

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, 30CrMoV9 or A514?

A514. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against poor (22/100) for 30CrMoV9.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 30CrMoV9 and A514 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.