Steel 3Cr2W8V vs 5CrMnMo
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 3Cr2W8V and 5CrMnMo are both steel grades. 5CrMnMo is the stronger of the two: yield strength 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for 3Cr2W8V, about 9% more. 3Cr2W8V is harder — 20 HRC against 18 HRC for 5CrMnMo — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 5CrMnMo is lighter (7.8 g/cm³ vs 8.3 g/cm³ for 3Cr2W8V) and 5CrMnMo conducts heat better (34 W/m·K vs 25 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 5CrMnMo machines more easily (good vs fair), 5CrMnMo welds better (fair vs poor), and 5CrMnMo forms better (poor vs not recommended).
3Cr2W8VChoose it when surface hardness matters.
5CrMnMoChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
3Cr2W8V vs 5CrMnMo: 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)
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 81 GPa11.7 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Elongation at Break 18% · Reduction in Area 40%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °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
Polishability
Castability
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)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | 3Cr2W8V | 5CrMnMo |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
3Cr2W8V vs 5CrMnMo — frequently asked
Is 5CrMnMo stronger than 3Cr2W8V?
Yes. 5CrMnMo has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for 3Cr2W8V — about 9% more. Tensile strength is 780 MPa (113 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 3Cr2W8V or 5CrMnMo?
5CrMnMo is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 3Cr2W8V is premium ($$$). 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, 3Cr2W8V or 5CrMnMo?
5CrMnMo. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (40/100) for 3Cr2W8V; for welding the order is 5CrMnMo first (fair, 35/100) then 3Cr2W8V (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 3Cr2W8V and 5CrMnMo 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.