Steel 6CrMnSi2Mo1V vs A11
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 6CrMnSi2Mo1V and A11 are both steel grades. A11 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) for 6CrMnSi2Mo1V, about 22% more; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 780 MPa (113 ksi). In exchange, 6CrMnSi2Mo1V is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 8% for A11, and A11 is harder (269 HB vs 217 HB). A11 is lighter (7.41 g/cm³ vs 7.76 g/cm³ for 6CrMnSi2Mo1V) and A11 is stiffer (221 GPa vs 207 GPa). On the shop floor, 6CrMnSi2Mo1V machines more easily (fair vs poor) and 6CrMnSi2Mo1V sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than A11 (specialty, $$$$$).
6CrMnSi2Mo1VChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
A11Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
6CrMnSi2Mo1V vs A11: 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
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell C
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.29
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)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Electrical Conductivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
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)
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 Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 6.2 mm²/s
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 | 6CrMnSi2Mo1V | A11 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| AlCrN | — | Yes |
| AlTiN | — | Yes |
| Black Oxide | — | Yes |
| CVD Al2O3 | — | Yes |
| CVD TiCN | — | Yes |
| CVD TiN | — | Yes |
| Cerakote | — | Yes |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| CrN | — | Yes |
| DLC | — | Yes |
| E-Coating | — | Yes |
| HVOF Coating | — | Yes |
| Hot-Dip Galvanizing | — | Yes |
| MoS2 | — | Yes |
| Multilayer CVD | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| PTFE Coating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
6CrMnSi2Mo1V vs A11 — frequently asked
Is A11 stronger than 6CrMnSi2Mo1V?
Yes. A11 has a typical yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) for 6CrMnSi2Mo1V — about 22% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 780 MPa (113 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 6CrMnSi2Mo1V or A11?
6CrMnSi2Mo1V is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while A11 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, 6CrMnSi2Mo1V or A11?
6CrMnSi2Mo1V. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (20/100) for A11; for welding the order is 6CrMnSi2Mo1V first (poor, 20/100) then A11 (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 6CrMnSi2Mo1V and A11 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.