Steel M42 vs M62
Steel · grade comparison
Steel M42 and M62 are both steel grades. M42 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) for M62, about 11% more. M62 runs hotter in service (500°C vs 400°C continuous). On the shop floor, M42 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and M62 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than M42 (specialty, $$$$$).
M42Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
M62Choose it when the part sees heat, or when cost is the deciding factor.
M42 vs M62: 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
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 900 MPa131 ksi · Elongation at Break 12% · Reduction in Area 20% · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 400 MPa58 ksi · Hardness, Brinell 255 HB · Hardness, Rockwell C 25 HRC
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.8 µm/m·K6 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 3.1 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 5.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m21.7 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 18 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Weldability 20 / 100 · Formability (cold) 10 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Same in both: Embodied Water 90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%
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 | M42 | M62 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Annealed | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| AlCrN | Yes | — |
| AlTiN | Yes | — |
| Black Oxide | Yes | — |
| CVD Al2O3 | Yes | — |
| CVD TiCN | Yes | — |
| CVD TiN | Yes | — |
| Cerakote | Yes | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| CrN | Yes | — |
| DLC | Yes | — |
| E-Coating | Yes | — |
| HVOF Coating | Yes | — |
| Hot-Dip Galvanizing | Yes | — |
| MoS2 | Yes | — |
| Multilayer CVD | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| PTFE Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
M42 vs M62 — frequently asked
Is M42 stronger than M62?
Yes. M42 has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) for M62 — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi).
Which is cheaper, M42 or M62?
M62 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while M42 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, M42 or M62?
M42. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (28/100) for M62.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in M42 and M62 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.