Steel 5CrNiMo vs H12
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 5CrNiMo and H12 are both steel grades. H12 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for 5CrNiMo, about 11% more. H12 is the more ductile: elongation 24% versus 18% for 5CrNiMo. H12 runs hotter in service (500°C vs 300°C continuous) and 5CrNiMo conducts heat better (33 W/m·K vs 29 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 5CrNiMo machines more easily (good vs fair) and 5CrNiMo sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than H12 (premium, $$$).
5CrNiMoChoose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.
H12Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
5CrNiMo 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.
Poisson's Ratio
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 81 GPa11.7 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 760 MPa110 ksi
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)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Electrical Conductivity
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)
Polishability
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
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 Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 97 kN·m/kg
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 | 5CrNiMo | H12 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ 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.
5CrNiMo vs H12 — frequently asked
Is H12 stronger than 5CrNiMo?
Yes. H12 has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for 5CrNiMo — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 5CrNiMo or H12?
5CrNiMo is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard 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, 5CrNiMo or H12?
5CrNiMo. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (45/100) for H12; for welding the order is 5CrNiMo first (poor, 30/100) then H12 (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 5CrNiMo 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.