Steel 16MnCr5
EN 16MnCr5
16MnCr5 (1.7131, AISI 5115, JIS SCr415) is the most widely used European case-hardening steel, a low-carbon Mn–Cr grade covered by the EN 10084 family and carburized to a 58–64 HRC surface over a tough core.
Values for the HR condition
16MnCr5 tempers and conditions
16MnCr5 is supplied in 11 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 11 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spheroidize annealed | Sub-critical/spheroidize anneal giving globular carbides in ferrite for maximum cold-formability and easy shear cutting before carburizing. | 305 | 500 | 24 | 150 HB | 44 W/m·K |
soft (spheroidize) annealed +A | Pick for cold forging, deep drawing or heavy cold extrusion of blanks; lowest hardness and best cold formability. | 320 | 520 | 23 | 165 HB | 8 % IACS |
Treated to ferrite–pearlite structure and hardness range | Specify when a defined ferrite–pearlite microstructure is needed for consistent, chatter-free machining of gear teeth. | 340 | 540 | 22 | 165 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
Treated to a specified hardness range | Order when the mill must guarantee a narrow delivery hardness band for automated machining lines. | 360 | 580 | 20 | 175 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
Cold rolled | Choose for stamped and cold-formed case-hardening parts (thin washers, cams, chain plates) needing good surface and gauge tolerance. | 380 | 560 | 18 | 175 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
880–920 °C air cooled (+N) | Use to homogenize forgings and refine grain before carburizing, giving uniform machining response and low distortion. | 380 | 600 | 20 | 175 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Standard stock condition for gear blanks and machined parts that will be carburized after roughing. | 400 | 620 | 18 | 180 HB | — |
Spheroidized & Cold Drawn | Spheroidize-annealed then cold drawn to size: higher strength and better surface/tolerance than +AC, with reduced ductility from the drawing strain. | 500 | 620 | 11 | 185 HB | 44 W/m·K |
Cold drawn | Use for automatic-lathe production of small shafts and pins where close tolerance and good surface finish are needed before carburizing. | 560 | 700 | 10 | 16 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Represents the through-hardened core state of small sections (≤30 mm) after 860–900 °C oil quench and 150–200 °C temper. | 700 | 950 | 11 | 31 HRC | — |
Carburized and hardened | The service condition for gears and splines: hard wear-resistant 0.2–1.5 mm case over a tough core. | 700 | 950 | 10 | 61 HRC | — |
What is 16MnCr5?
16MnCr5 (1.7131, AISI 5115, JIS SCr415) is the most widely used European case-hardening steel, a low-carbon Mn–Cr grade covered by the EN 10084 family and carburized to a 58–64 HRC surface over a tough core. It is specified for gears, shafts and pins where wear and surface fatigue matter but the core must absorb shock; bar, tube and sheet are supplied in +A, +FP, +TH, +AC and cold-drawn conditions, with 400 MPa yield, 620 MPa tensile and 180 HB before hardening. It has no corrosion resistance, needs grinding after carburizing to correct distortion, and cannot be welded once case hardened. Use 4135 for through-hardened parts. 16MnCr5 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). 16MnCr5 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 16MnCr5 used for?
- Gears
- Industrial drive shafts
- Pins
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
16MnCr5 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 16MnCr5-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
16MnCr5 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical14
16MnCr5 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
16MnCr5 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 44 W/m·K (25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 57% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
16MnCr5 conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 16MnCr5 takes about 27 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 59% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
16MnCr5's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability good (60/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. 16MnCr5 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 16MnCr5
Is 16MnCr5 easy to machine?
Machines well in +A/+FP/+TH condition (~55–65 % of 1212); finish-grind after carburizing since the 58–64 HRC case is essentially unmachinable.
Can 16MnCr5 be welded?
Weld only in the soft/normalized state with low-hydrogen consumables, preheat 150–250 °C and post-weld stress relief; never weld carburized surfaces.
Can 16MnCr5 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold forgeability and heading after spheroidize annealing; hot forge 1100–850 °C followed by controlled cooling or normalizing.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to 16MnCr5. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better60 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better45 / 100 |
16MnCr5 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.14 – 0.19 | 0.16 |
| Simax per EN 10084 | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 1 – 1.3 | 1.15 |
| Cr | 0.8 – 1.1 | 0.95 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Smax; 16MnCrS5 variant is 0.020–0.040 | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 16MnCr5?
No anodizing — use phosphating plus oil, black oxide, zinc or nickel plating; shot peening of tooth roots markedly raises bending fatigue life.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 16MnCr5 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.7131
- Similar grades
- 511515CrSCr415
How much does 16MnCr5 cost?
16MnCr5 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
16MnCr5 — frequently asked
What is 16MnCr5 used for?
16MnCr5 is typically used for gears, industrial drive shafts and pins. In short: carburizing Cr-Mn bar.
What is the yield strength of 16MnCr5?
16MnCr5 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is 16MnCr5 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines well in +A/+FP/+TH condition (~55–65 % of 1212); finish-grind after carburizing since the 58–64 HRC case is essentially unmachinable.
Can 16MnCr5 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Weld only in the soft/normalized state with low-hydrogen consumables, preheat 150–250 °C and post-weld stress relief; never weld carburized surfaces.
What surface finishes work on 16MnCr5?
No anodizing — use phosphating plus oil, black oxide, zinc or nickel plating; shot peening of tooth roots markedly raises bending fatigue life.
Can 16MnCr5 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold forgeability and heading after spheroidize annealing; hot forge 1100–850 °C followed by controlled cooling or normalizing.
What is the maximum service temperature of 16MnCr5?
16MnCr5 is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 16MnCr5-HR and 16MnCr5-CH?
HR is the default condition — standard stock condition for gear blanks and machined parts that will be carburized after roughing. CH: the service condition for gears and splines: hard wear-resistant 0.2–1.5 mm case over a tough core. Yield strength is 400 MPa in HR versus 700 MPa in CH.
How much does 16MnCr5 cost?
16MnCr5 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in 16MnCr5?
Yes — 16MnCr5 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 10084 — Case hardening steels, technical delivery conditions — CEN (2008)
- EN 10084 / DIN 17210 grade 1.7131 (16MnCr5) — DIN (1998)
- SAE J404 — Chemical compositions of SAE alloy steels (5115) — SAE International (2009)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 4A — Steel Heat Treating Fundamentals and Processes — ASM International (2013)
- Dörrenberg Edelstahl / Ovako 1.7131 (16MnCr5) data sheet — Dörrenberg / Ovako (2021)
- Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. — machinability ratings — Industrial Press (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.