Steel 5CrMnMo vs H12
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 5CrMnMo and H12 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 500 MPa — strength does not separate them. H12 is the more ductile: elongation 24% versus 18% for 5CrMnMo. H12 runs hotter in service (500°C vs 400°C continuous) and 5CrMnMo conducts heat better (34 W/m·K vs 29 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 5CrMnMo machines more easily (good vs fair), 5CrMnMo welds better (fair vs poor), and 5CrMnMo sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than H12 (premium, $$$).
5CrMnMoChoose it when the part is machined in volume, or when it will be welded.
H12Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
5CrMnMo vs H12: 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.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 81 GPa11.7 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 500 MPa72.5 ksi · Compressive Strength 520 MPa75.4 ksi · Shear Strength 470 MPa68.2 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 30 / 100 · Castability 25 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.9 MN·m/kg · Modulus of Resilience 595 kJ/m³
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 | 5CrMnMo | H12 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$$ Premium |
| 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.
5CrMnMo vs H12 — frequently asked
What is the difference between 5CrMnMo and H12?
Steel 5CrMnMo and H12 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 500 MPa — strength does not separate them. H12 is the more ductile: elongation 24% versus 18% for 5CrMnMo.
Which is cheaper, 5CrMnMo or H12?
5CrMnMo is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while H12 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, 5CrMnMo or H12?
5CrMnMo. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (45/100) for H12; for welding the order is 5CrMnMo first (fair, 35/100) then H12 (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 5CrMnMo and H12 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.