Steel SKH59 vs W18Cr4V
Steel · grade comparison
Steel SKH59 and W18Cr4V are both steel grades. SKH59 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for W18Cr4V, about 9% more. SKH59 is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 10% for W18Cr4V, and SKH59 is harder (255 HB vs 240 HB). SKH59 is lighter (7.98 g/cm³ vs 8.67 g/cm³ for W18Cr4V) and W18Cr4V runs hotter in service (350°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, W18Cr4V machines more easily (fair vs poor).
SKH59Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
W18Cr4VChoose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.
SKH59 vs W18Cr4V: 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)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 900 MPa131 ksi · Shear Strength 560 MPa81.2 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 400 MPa58 ksi
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
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 120 L/kg14.4 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 | SKH59 | W18Cr4V |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
SKH59 vs W18Cr4V — frequently asked
Is SKH59 stronger than W18Cr4V?
Yes. SKH59 has a typical yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for W18Cr4V — about 9% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi).
Which is cheaper, SKH59 or W18Cr4V?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, SKH59 or W18Cr4V?
W18Cr4V. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (25/100) for SKH59; for welding the order is W18Cr4V first (poor, 20/100) then SKH59 (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SKH59 and W18Cr4V 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.