Steel G20Mn5 vs WC4
Steel · grade comparison
Steel G20Mn5 and WC4 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 330 MPa — strength does not separate them. WC4 runs hotter in service (540°C vs 400°C continuous) and G20Mn5 conducts heat better (48 W/m·K vs 42 W/m·K). On the shop floor, G20Mn5 welds better (very good vs good).
G20Mn5Choose it when it will be welded.
WC4Choose it when the part sees heat.
G20Mn5 vs WC4: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Shear Strength 340 MPa49.3 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 235 MPa34.1 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in · Hardness, Rockwell B 85 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.62 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Weldability
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Machinability 58 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 60% · Formability (cold) 20 / 100 · Polishability 45 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | G20Mn5 | WC4 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ 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.
G20Mn5 vs WC4 — frequently asked
What is the difference between G20Mn5 and WC4?
Steel G20Mn5 and WC4 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 330 MPa — strength does not separate them. WC4 runs hotter in service (540°C vs 400°C continuous) and G20Mn5 conducts heat better (48 W/m·K vs 42 W/m·K).
Which is cheaper, G20Mn5 or WC4?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, G20Mn5 or WC4?
G20Mn5. Its weldability rates very good (82/100) against good (55/100) for WC4.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in G20Mn5 and WC4 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.