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Steel T1 vs W18Cr4V

Steel · grade comparison

Steel T1 and W18Cr4V are both steel grades. Both yield at about 560 MPa — strength does not separate them. T1 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 10% for W18Cr4V. T1 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous) and W18Cr4V conducts heat better (24 W/m·K vs 21 W/m·K). On the shop floor, T1 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than W18Cr4V (high, $$$$).

T1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

T1 vs W18Cr4V: properties

T1W18Cr4V

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

220 GPa31.9 Msi
217 GPa31.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

84 GPa12.2 Msi
85 GPa12.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

165 GPa23.9 Msi
168 GPa24.4 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.28
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

860 MPa125 ksi
900 MPa131 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

560 MPa81.2 ksi
550 MPa79.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

20%
10%

Reduction in Area

32%
20%

Compressive Strength

1,400 MPa203 ksi
1,500 MPa218 ksi

Shear Strength

550 MPa79.8 ksi
560 MPa81.2 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

25 J18.4 ft·lbf
18 J13.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

235 HB
240 HB

Hardness, Vickers

245 HV
252 HV

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

—
400 MPa58 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
30 MPa·√m27.3 ksi·√in

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
22 HRC

Same in both: Hardness, Rockwell B 99 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.7 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.67 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,340°C2,444 °F
1,330°C2,426 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,440°C2,624 °F
1,450°C2,642 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

21 W/m·K12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
24 W/m·K13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
350°C662 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11 µm/m·K6.1 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

3.1 % IACS
3.7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

5.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m21.7 µΩ·in
4.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m18.1 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

22 / 100
20 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.55 V

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Weldability

15 / 100
20 / 100

Castability

25 / 100
20 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
80 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 35 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 30% · Formability (cold) 15 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

52 MJ/kg22,356 BTU/lb
60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.6 kg CO₂/kg
4.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb
120 L/kg14.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

45%
40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

99 kN·m/kg
104 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.3 MN·m/kg
25 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

713 kJ/m³
697 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

5.7 mm²/s
6.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

7
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 scaleT1W18Cr4V

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityT1W18Cr4V
CNC machiningYes—
Default conditionAnnealed—
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$$ High
Min. machined wall0.8 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µm—
AlCrNYes—
AlTiNYes—
Black OxideYes—
CVD Al2O3Yes—
CVD TiCNYes—
CVD TiNYes—
CerakoteYes—
Chrome PlatingYes—
CrNYes—
DLCYes—
E-CoatingYes—
HVOF CoatingYes—
Hot-Dip GalvanizingYes—
MoS2Yes—
Multilayer CVDYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PTFE CoatingYes—
PaintingYes—

They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.

T1 vs W18Cr4V — frequently asked

What is the difference between T1 and W18Cr4V?

Steel T1 and W18Cr4V are both steel grades. Both yield at about 560 MPa — strength does not separate them. T1 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 10% for W18Cr4V.

Which is cheaper, T1 or W18Cr4V?

T1 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while W18Cr4V is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which welds better, T1 or W18Cr4V?

W18Cr4V. Its weldability rates poor (20/100) against poor (15/100) for T1.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in T1 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.