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Steel G17NiCrMo13-6 vs WC1

Steel · grade comparison

Steel G17NiCrMo13-6 and WC1 are both steel grades. G17NiCrMo13-6 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) against 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) for WC1, about 116% more; tensile strength follows at 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi). In exchange, WC1 is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 16% for G17NiCrMo13-6, and G17NiCrMo13-6 is harder (255 HB vs 160 HB). WC1 runs hotter in service (455°C vs 400°C continuous) and WC1 conducts heat better (42 W/m·K vs 34 W/m·K). 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, $$) than G17NiCrMo13-6 (premium, $$$).

G17NiCrMo13-6Choose it when strength drives the design.

WC1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

G17NiCrMo13-6 vs WC1: properties

G17NiCrMo13-6WC1

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

163 GPa23.6 Msi
160 GPa23.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

830 MPa120 ksi
520 MPa75.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

660 MPa95.7 ksi
305 MPa44.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

16%
28%

Reduction in Area

45%
48%

Compressive Strength

660 MPa95.7 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Shear Strength

500 MPa72.5 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

380 MPa55.1 ksi
210 MPa30.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in
130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

60 J44.3 ft·lbf
50 J36.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

255 HB
160 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

25 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

268 HV
168 HV

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
84 HRB

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 205 GPa29.7 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,420°C2,588 °F
1,425°C2,597 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,500°C2,732 °F
1,505°C2,741 °F

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

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

34 W/m·K19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.8 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F
12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
455°C851 °F

Min Service Temperature

-60°C-76 °F
-29°C-20 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

6 % IACS
8.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.8 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

18 / 100
12 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
58 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

45%
60%

Weldability

40 / 100
70 / 100

Formability (cold)

15 / 100
20 / 100

Castability

65 / 100
70 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

50 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
50 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb
26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.4 kg CO₂/kg
2.1 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

75%
80%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

106 kN·m/kg
66 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,062 kJ/m³
227 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

9.2 mm²/s
11.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

12
9

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.1 MN·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.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleWC1G17NiCrMo13-6

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityG17NiCrMo13-6WC1
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.

G17NiCrMo13-6 vs WC1 — frequently asked

Is G17NiCrMo13-6 stronger than WC1?

Yes. G17NiCrMo13-6 has a typical yield strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) against 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) for WC1 — about 116% more. Tensile strength is 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi).

Which is cheaper, G17NiCrMo13-6 or WC1?

WC1 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while G17NiCrMo13-6 is premium ($$$). 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, G17NiCrMo13-6 or WC1?

WC1. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (40/100) for G17NiCrMo13-6; for welding the order is WC1 first (very good, 70/100) then G17NiCrMo13-6 (fair, 40/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in G17NiCrMo13-6 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.