Steel 16MnCrB5
EN 16MnCrB5
16MnCrB5 (1.7160) is a boron-treated low-alloy case-hardening steel from the EN 10084 family, in which micro-alloyed boron raises hardenability so manganese and chromium content can be reduced relative to 16MnCr5.
Reference datasheet — 16MnCrB5 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the +FP condition
16MnCrB5 tempers and conditions
16MnCrB5 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. +FP is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spheroidize annealed | Softest condition, chosen for cold extrusion, cold heading and deep upsetting of gear and fastener blanks. | 330 | 520 | 25 | 160 HB | — |
+FPDefault Treated to ferrite-pearlite structure and hardness range | Standard machining condition for hot-rolled/peeled bar destined for gear hobbing before carburising. | 400 | 620 | 20 | 175 HB | — |
Spheroidized annealed then cold drawn | Bright cold-drawn bar with tight tolerance and good straightness for automatic-lathe parts and shafts prior to carburising. | 520 | 680 | 11 | 205 HB | — |
Supplied with specified hardenability band (Jominy), properties after… | Choose when Jominy hardenability must be guaranteed; core/case values listed are for the finished carburised, quenched and 180 °C tempered part. | 700 | 950 | 10 | 60 HRC | — |
What is 16MnCrB5?
16MnCrB5 (1.7160) is a boron-treated low-alloy case-hardening steel from the EN 10084 family, in which micro-alloyed boron raises hardenability so manganese and chromium content can be reduced relative to 16MnCr5. It is supplied as bar, wire and forging stock in +FP, +H, +AC and +AC+C conditions, with core properties near 400 MPa yield, 620 MPa tensile, 20 % elongation and 175 HB (88 HRB), and is carburised to give a hard case on a tough core. Corrosion resistance is negligible and service is limited to about 400 °C; where guaranteed hardenability bands are required, plain 16MnCr5 is the usual substitute. 16MnCrB5 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). 16MnCrB5 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 20% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 16MnCrB5 used for?
- gears
- small shafts
- case-hardened components
16MnCrB5 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 16MnCrB5-+FP; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
16MnCrB5 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical15
16MnCrB5 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 20% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
16MnCrB5 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °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
16MnCrB5 conducts electricity at 8.5 % IACS, better than 63% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 16MnCrB5 takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
16MnCrB5's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability good (55/100).
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. 16MnCrB5 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 16MnCrB5
Is 16MnCrB5 easy to machine?
Machine in +FP or +AC+C condition with coated carbide (Vc ≈ 150–220 m/min); gummy in fully spheroidized bar — use positive geometry and sharp edges, finish-grind after carburising.
Can 16MnCrB5 be welded?
Weldable in the soft condition with low-hydrogen consumables and 150–250 °C preheat; avoid welding carburised or hardened zones, and post-weld temper to limit martensite cracking.
Can 16MnCrB5 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold heading and cold extrusion in +AC (phosphate + soap lubrication); hot forge at 1100–850 °C then normalise at 880–920 °C to restore uniform grain.
16MnCrB5 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 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 1 – 1.3 | 1.15 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Smax; +S variants to 0.020-0.040 | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Cr | 0.8 – 1.1 | 0.95 |
| Bboron effective only with Ti/Al nitrogen fixing | 8×10⁻⁴ – 0.01 | 0 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 16MnCrB5?
Not anodisable — carburise 900–930 °C, oil quench, temper 150–200 °C, then shot peen for fatigue and protect with black oxide, phosphate or zinc/Zn-Ni plating (bake to avoid hydrogen embrittlement).
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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 16MnCrB5 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.7160
How much does 16MnCrB5 cost?
16MnCrB5 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
16MnCrB5 — frequently asked
What is 16MnCrB5 used for?
16MnCrB5 is typically used for gears, small shafts and case-hardened components. In short: boron-boosted 16MnCr5; low-cost case-hardening gear steel; strong cold-heading response.
What is the yield strength of 16MnCrB5?
16MnCrB5 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 16MnCrB5 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machine in +FP or +AC+C condition with coated carbide (Vc ≈ 150–220 m/min); gummy in fully spheroidized bar — use positive geometry and sharp edges, finish-grind after carburising.
Can 16MnCrB5 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). Weldable in the soft condition with low-hydrogen consumables and 150–250 °C preheat; avoid welding carburised or hardened zones, and post-weld temper to limit martensite cracking.
What surface finishes work on 16MnCrB5?
Not anodisable — carburise 900–930 °C, oil quench, temper 150–200 °C, then shot peen for fatigue and protect with black oxide, phosphate or zinc/Zn-Ni plating (bake to avoid hydrogen embrittlement).
Can 16MnCrB5 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold heading and cold extrusion in +AC (phosphate + soap lubrication); hot forge at 1100–850 °C then normalise at 880–920 °C to restore uniform grain.
What is the maximum service temperature of 16MnCrB5?
16MnCrB5 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 16MnCrB5 cost?
16MnCrB5 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
Sources
- EN 10084 — Case hardening steels: technical delivery conditions — CEN (2008)
- EN 10277 — Bright steel products: technical delivery conditions — CEN (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4A — Steel Heat Treating Fundamentals (boron hardenability) — ASM International (2013)
- Case-hardening steel bar datasheets (16MnCr5 / 16MnCrB5 class) — European long-products mills (2022)
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.