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Steel G30NiCrMo14 vs WC4

Steel · grade comparison

Steel G30NiCrMo14 and WC4 are both steel grades. G30NiCrMo14 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 750 MPa (109 ksi) against 335 MPa (48.6 ksi) for WC4, about 124% more; tensile strength follows at 920 MPa (133 ksi) vs 545 MPa (79 ksi). In exchange, WC4 is the more ductile: elongation 24% versus 14% for G30NiCrMo14, and G30NiCrMo14 is harder (275 HB vs 163 HB). WC4 runs hotter in service (540°C vs 350°C continuous) and WC4 conducts heat better (42 W/m·K vs 34 W/m·K). On the shop floor, WC4 machines more easily (good vs fair), WC4 welds better (good vs poor), and WC4 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than G30NiCrMo14 (premium, $$$).

G30NiCrMo14Choose it when strength drives the design.

WC4Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

G30NiCrMo14 vs WC4: properties

G30NiCrMo14WC4

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

208 GPa30.2 Msi
200 GPa29 Msi

Shear Modulus

80 GPa11.6 Msi
78 GPa11.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

165 GPa23.9 Msi
160 GPa23.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

920 MPa133 ksi
545 MPa79 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

750 MPa109 ksi
335 MPa48.6 ksi

Elongation at Break

14%
24%

Reduction in Area

40%
50%

Compressive Strength

760 MPa110 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Shear Strength

560 MPa81.2 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

390 MPa56.6 ksi
235 MPa34.1 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in
120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

45 J33.2 ft·lbf
48 J35.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

275 HB
163 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

28 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

290 HV
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
85 HRB

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.83 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,420°C2,588 °F
1,425°C2,597 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,490°C2,714 °F
1,500°C2,732 °F

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

350°C662 °F
540°C1,004 °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 · 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

5.7 % IACS
7.8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.8 µΩ·in
2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

13 / 100
14 / 100

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.

Machinability

38 / 100
58 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

40%
60%

Weldability

32 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

10 / 100
20 / 100

Castability

55 / 100
70 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
45 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

32 MJ/kg13,758 BTU/lb
26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.5 kg CO₂/kg
2 kg CO₂/kg

Same in both: Embodied Water 55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 75%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

117 kN·m/kg
70 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.5 MN·m/kg
25.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,352 kJ/m³
281 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

9.2 mm²/s
11.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

12
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 scaleWC4G30NiCrMo14

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityG30NiCrMo14WC4
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.

G30NiCrMo14 vs WC4 — frequently asked

Is G30NiCrMo14 stronger than WC4?

Yes. G30NiCrMo14 has a typical yield strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) against 335 MPa (48.6 ksi) for WC4 — about 124% more. Tensile strength is 920 MPa (133 ksi) vs 545 MPa (79 ksi).

Which is cheaper, G30NiCrMo14 or WC4?

WC4 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while G30NiCrMo14 is premium ($$$). 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, G30NiCrMo14 or WC4?

WC4. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (38/100) for G30NiCrMo14; for welding the order is WC4 first (good, 55/100) then G30NiCrMo14 (poor, 32/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in G30NiCrMo14 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.