Steel A217 WC6 vs WC5
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A217 WC6 and WC5 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 345 MPa — strength does not separate them. On the shop floor, A217 WC6 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than WC5 (premium, $$$).
A217 WC6Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.
A217 WC6 vs WC5: 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
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 550 MPa79.8 ksi · Elongation at Break 24% · Shear Strength 380 MPa55.1 ksi · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 55 J40.6 ft·lbf · Hardness, Brinell 170 HB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,505°C2,741 °F
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 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 540°C1,004 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 7.8 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
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 Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability 55 / 100 · Weldability 60 / 100 · Castability 70 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb · Embodied Water 55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 70 kN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 9
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 | A217 WC6 | WC5 |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
A217 WC6 vs WC5 — frequently asked
What is the difference between A217 WC6 and WC5?
Steel A217 WC6 and WC5 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 345 MPa — strength does not separate them. On the shop floor, A217 WC6 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than WC5 (premium, $$$).
Which is cheaper, A217 WC6 or WC5?
A217 WC6 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while WC5 is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
When should I choose A217 WC6 over WC5?
Pick A217 WC6 when cost is the deciding factor.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A217 WC6 and WC5 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.