Steel 3Cr2W8V vs H21
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 3Cr2W8V and H21 are both steel grades. H21 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for 3Cr2W8V, about 35% more; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi). 3Cr2W8V is harder — 20 HRC against 19 HRC for H21 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. H21 runs hotter in service (450°C vs 400°C continuous). On the shop floor, H21 welds better (fair vs poor), H21 forms better (poor vs not recommended), and H21 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 3Cr2W8V (premium, $$$).
3Cr2W8VChoose it when surface hardness matters.
H21Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
3Cr2W8V vs H21: 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
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11.8 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · 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.
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Castability
Same in both: Machinability 40 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 45% · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100
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 | H21 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ 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.
3Cr2W8V vs H21 — frequently asked
Is H21 stronger than 3Cr2W8V?
Yes. H21 has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for 3Cr2W8V — about 35% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 3Cr2W8V or H21?
H21 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard 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 welds better, 3Cr2W8V or H21?
H21. Its weldability rates fair (35/100) against poor (25/100) for 3Cr2W8V.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 3Cr2W8V and H21 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.