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Steel WC1 vs ZG65Mn

Steel · grade comparison

Steel WC1 and ZG65Mn are both steel grades. ZG65Mn is the stronger of the two: yield strength 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) against 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) for WC1, about 84% more; tensile strength follows at 880 MPa (128 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi). In exchange, WC1 is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 8% for ZG65Mn, and ZG65Mn is harder (250 HB vs 160 HB). WC1 runs hotter in service (455°C vs 350°C continuous). On the shop floor, WC1 machines more easily (good vs fair) and WC1 welds better (very good vs poor).

WC1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

ZG65MnChoose it when strength drives the design.

WC1 vs ZG65Mn: properties

WC1ZG65Mn

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

160 GPa23.2 Msi
165 GPa23.9 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

520 MPa75.4 ksi
880 MPa128 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

305 MPa44.2 ksi
560 MPa81.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

28%
8%

Reduction in Area

48%
14%

Compressive Strength

300 MPa43.5 ksi
900 MPa131 ksi

Shear Strength

340 MPa49.3 ksi
560 MPa81.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

210 MPa30.5 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in
45 MPa·√m41 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

50 J36.9 ft·lbf
18 J13.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

160 HB
250 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

84 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

168 HV
263 HV

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
25 HRC

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 205 GPa29.7 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.81 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,505°C2,741 °F
1,480°C2,696 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

455°C851 °F
350°C662 °F

Min Service Temperature

-29°C-20 °F
-20°C-4 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

8.5 % IACS
8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.87 µΩ·in
2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.61 V
-0.62 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 12 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

58 / 100
38 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

60%
50%

Weldability

70 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
10 / 100

Castability

70 / 100
62 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Polishability

50 / 100
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb
25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.1 kg CO₂/kg
1.9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

80%
70%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

66 kN·m/kg
113 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.1 MN·m/kg
26.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

227 kJ/m³
765 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.4 mm²/s
12 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

9
15

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 scaleWC1ZG65Mn

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityWC1ZG65Mn
Default condition——
Relative cost$$ Standard$$ Standard
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.

WC1 vs ZG65Mn — frequently asked

Is ZG65Mn stronger than WC1?

Yes. ZG65Mn has a typical yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) against 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) for WC1 — about 84% more. Tensile strength is 880 MPa (128 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi).

Which is cheaper, WC1 or ZG65Mn?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, WC1 or ZG65Mn?

WC1. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (38/100) for ZG65Mn; for welding the order is WC1 first (very good, 70/100) then ZG65Mn (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in WC1 and ZG65Mn 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.