FabDigitFabDigit

Steel G15CrMoV6-9 vs WC1

Steel · grade comparison

Steel G15CrMoV6-9 and WC1 are both steel grades. G15CrMoV6-9 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) for WC1, about 57% more; tensile strength follows at 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi). In exchange, WC1 is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 17% for G15CrMoV6-9, and G15CrMoV6-9 is harder (200 HB vs 160 HB). G15CrMoV6-9 runs hotter in service (550°C vs 455°C continuous) and WC1 conducts electricity better (8.5 % IACS vs 7.5 % IACS). On the shop floor, WC1 machines more easily (good vs fair), WC1 welds better (very good vs fair), and WC1 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than G15CrMoV6-9 (premium, $$$).

G15CrMoV6-9Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

WC1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

G15CrMoV6-9 vs WC1: properties

G15CrMoV6-9WC1

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

210 GPa30.5 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

81 GPa11.7 Msi
80 GPa11.6 Msi

Bulk Modulus

165 GPa23.9 Msi
160 GPa23.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

650 MPa94.3 ksi
520 MPa75.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

480 MPa69.6 ksi
305 MPa44.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

17%
28%

Reduction in Area

45%
48%

Compressive Strength

490 MPa71.1 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Shear Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

290 MPa42.1 ksi
210 MPa30.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

95 MPa·√m86.5 ksi·√in
130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

45 J33.2 ft·lbf
50 J36.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

200 HB
160 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

15 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

210 HV
168 HV

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
84 HRB

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · 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

40 W/m·K23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

550°C1,022 °F
455°C851 °F

Min Service Temperature

-20°C-4 °F
-29°C-20 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

7.5 % IACS
8.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.06 µΩ·in
2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.87 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.6 V
-0.61 V

Corrosion Resistance

15 / 100
12 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

45 / 100
58 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

50%
60%

Weldability

50 / 100
70 / 100

Formability (cold)

10 / 100
20 / 100

Castability

60 / 100
70 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

45 / 100
55 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 50 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

24 MJ/kg10,318 BTU/lb
26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2 kg CO₂/kg
2.1 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

50 L/kg6 gal/lb
55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

60%
80%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

83 kN·m/kg
66 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.8 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

549 kJ/m³
227 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.1 mm²/s
11.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

10
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.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleWC1G15CrMoV6-9

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityG15CrMoV6-9WC1
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$ Standard
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.

G15CrMoV6-9 vs WC1 — frequently asked

Is G15CrMoV6-9 stronger than WC1?

Yes. G15CrMoV6-9 has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) for WC1 — about 57% more. Tensile strength is 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi).

Which is cheaper, G15CrMoV6-9 or WC1?

WC1 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while G15CrMoV6-9 is premium ($$$). 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, G15CrMoV6-9 or WC1?

WC1. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (45/100) for G15CrMoV6-9; for welding the order is WC1 first (very good, 70/100) then G15CrMoV6-9 (fair, 50/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in G15CrMoV6-9 and WC1 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.