Steel W18Cr4V vs W6Mo5Cr4V2
Steel · grade comparison
Steel W18Cr4V and W6Mo5Cr4V2 are both steel grades. W18Cr4V is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 900 MPa (131 ksi) against 850 MPa (123 ksi) for W6Mo5Cr4V2, about 6% more. In exchange, W6Mo5Cr4V2 is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 10% for W18Cr4V. W6Mo5Cr4V2 is lighter (8.16 g/cm³ vs 8.67 g/cm³ for W18Cr4V) and W6Mo5Cr4V2 runs hotter in service (500°C vs 350°C continuous). On the shop floor, W6Mo5Cr4V2 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than W18Cr4V (high, $$$$).
W18Cr4VChoose it when strength drives the design.
W6Mo5Cr4V2Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
W18Cr4V 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.
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 217 GPa31.5 Msi · Reduction in Area 20% · Hardness, Brinell 240 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 99 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 24 W/m·K13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F
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
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 15 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 40%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 104 kN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | W18Cr4V | 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.
W18Cr4V vs W6Mo5Cr4V2 — frequently asked
Is W18Cr4V stronger than W6Mo5Cr4V2?
Yes. W18Cr4V has a typical tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) against 850 MPa (123 ksi) for W6Mo5Cr4V2 — about 6% more.
Which is cheaper, W18Cr4V or W6Mo5Cr4V2?
W6Mo5Cr4V2 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 is easier to machine, W18Cr4V or W6Mo5Cr4V2?
W6Mo5Cr4V2, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 40/100 against 35/100 for W18Cr4V.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in W18Cr4V 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.