Steel 42CrMo4 vs X75WCrV18-4-1
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 42CrMo4 and X75WCrV18-4-1 are both steel grades. X75WCrV18-4-1 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 900 MPa (131 ksi) against 850 MPa (123 ksi) for 42CrMo4, about 6% more. In exchange, 42CrMo4 is the more ductile: elongation 14% versus 12% for X75WCrV18-4-1. 42CrMo4 is lighter (7.85 g/cm³ vs 8.7 g/cm³ for X75WCrV18-4-1) and 42CrMo4 conducts heat better (42.6 W/m·K vs 22 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 42CrMo4 machines more easily (fair vs poor), 42CrMo4 welds better (fair vs poor), and 42CrMo4 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than X75WCrV18-4-1 (high, $$$$).
42CrMo4Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
X75WCrV18-4-1Choose it when strength drives the design.
42CrMo4 vs X75WCrV18-4-1: 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
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, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Hardness, Brinell 245 HB · Hardness, Rockwell C 23 HRC
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
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
Castability
Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%
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 | 42CrMo4 | X75WCrV18-4-1 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | HR | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| AlCrN | Yes | — |
| AlTiN | Yes | — |
| Black Oxide | Yes | — |
| CVD Al2O3 | Yes | — |
| CVD TiCN | Yes | — |
| CVD TiN | Yes | — |
| Cerakote | Yes | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| CrN | Yes | — |
| DLC | Yes | — |
| E-Coating | Yes | — |
| HVOF Coating | Yes | — |
| Hot-Dip Galvanizing | Yes | — |
| MoS2 | Yes | — |
| Multilayer CVD | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| PTFE Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
42CrMo4 vs X75WCrV18-4-1 — frequently asked
Is X75WCrV18-4-1 stronger than 42CrMo4?
Yes. X75WCrV18-4-1 has a typical tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) against 850 MPa (123 ksi) for 42CrMo4 — about 6% more.
Which is cheaper, 42CrMo4 or X75WCrV18-4-1?
42CrMo4 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while X75WCrV18-4-1 is high ($$$$). 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, 42CrMo4 or X75WCrV18-4-1?
42CrMo4. Its machinability rates fair (50/100) against poor (33/100) for X75WCrV18-4-1; for welding the order is 42CrMo4 first (fair, 35/100) then X75WCrV18-4-1 (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 42CrMo4 and X75WCrV18-4-1 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.