Steel 16MnCr5-CR (Cold rolled)
Supply condition
EN 16MnCr5
Choose for stamped and cold-formed case-hardening parts (thin washers, cams, chain plates) needing good surface and gauge tolerance.
Values for the CR condition
Other 16MnCr5 tempers and conditions
16MnCr5 is listed in 11 conditions; see the grade overview at 16MnCr5.
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 |
CRThis page 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-CR?
16MnCr5-CR is 16MnCr5 supplied in the CR condition — choose for stamped and cold-formed case-hardening parts (thin washers, cams, chain plates) needing good surface and gauge tolerance. 16MnCr5-CR has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 16MnCr5-CR 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). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 86% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
16MnCr5-CR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 16MnCr5-CR; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 16MnCr5 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
16MnCr5-CR 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-CR has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
16MnCr5-CR 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-CR 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-CR 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-CR's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability very good (70/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 16MnCr5-CR
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.
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.
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 | — |
16MnCr5-CR — frequently asked
What is 16MnCr5-CR used for?
16MnCr5-CR is typically used for gears, industrial drive shafts and pins. In short: carburizing Cr-Mn bar.
What is the yield strength of 16MnCr5-CR?
16MnCr5-CR has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is 16MnCr5-CR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 52% 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-CR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). 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-CR?
No anodizing — use phosphating plus oil, black oxide, zinc or nickel plating; shot peening of tooth roots markedly raises bending fatigue life.
Can 16MnCr5-CR 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-CR?
16MnCr5-CR 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 16MnCr5-CR?
Yes — 16MnCr5-CR 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.