Steel 5CrMnMo vs H42
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 5CrMnMo and H42 are both steel grades. H42 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) for 5CrMnMo, about 10% more; tensile strength follows at 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 780 MPa (113 ksi). In exchange, 5CrMnMo is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 16% for H42. 5CrMnMo is lighter (7.8 g/cm³ vs 8.06 g/cm³ for H42) and 5CrMnMo conducts heat better (34 W/m·K vs 26 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 5CrMnMo machines more easily (good vs poor), 5CrMnMo welds better (fair vs poor), and 5CrMnMo sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than H42 (high, $$$$).
5CrMnMoChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
H42Choose it when strength drives the design.
5CrMnMo vs H42: 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)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 81 GPa11.7 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Hardness, Rockwell B 97 HRB
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).
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
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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 | 5CrMnMo | H42 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
5CrMnMo vs H42 — frequently asked
Is H42 stronger than 5CrMnMo?
Yes. H42 has a typical yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) for 5CrMnMo — about 10% more. Tensile strength is 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 780 MPa (113 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 5CrMnMo or H42?
5CrMnMo is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while H42 is high ($$$$). 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, 5CrMnMo or H42?
5CrMnMo. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against poor (32/100) for H42; for welding the order is 5CrMnMo first (fair, 35/100) then H42 (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 5CrMnMo and H42 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.