Steel SKH59 vs W6Mo5Cr4V2
Steel · grade comparison
Steel SKH59 and W6Mo5Cr4V2 are both steel grades. SKH59 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) for W6Mo5Cr4V2, about 5% more; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 850 MPa (123 ksi). SKH59 is harder — 255 HB against 240 HB for W6Mo5Cr4V2 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. W6Mo5Cr4V2 runs hotter in service (500°C vs 300°C continuous) and W6Mo5Cr4V2 conducts heat better (24 W/m·K vs 19 W/m·K). On the shop floor, W6Mo5Cr4V2 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and W6Mo5Cr4V2 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than SKH59 (high, $$$$).
SKH59Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
W6Mo5Cr4V2Choose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.
SKH59 vs W6Mo5Cr4V2: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.28 · Elongation at Break 12%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 1,430°C2,606 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
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 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/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 | W6Mo5Cr4V2 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ Premium |
| 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.
SKH59 vs W6Mo5Cr4V2 — frequently asked
Is SKH59 stronger than W6Mo5Cr4V2?
Yes. SKH59 has a typical yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) for W6Mo5Cr4V2 — about 5% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 850 MPa (123 ksi).
Which is cheaper, SKH59 or W6Mo5Cr4V2?
W6Mo5Cr4V2 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while SKH59 is high ($$$$). 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, SKH59 or W6Mo5Cr4V2?
W6Mo5Cr4V2. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (25/100) for SKH59.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SKH59 and W6Mo5Cr4V2 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.