Steel 16MnCrS5 · heat-treated state
Steel 16MnCrS5 Case Hardened
Properties of the Case Hardened condition, compared with the other 16MnCrS5 tempers.
Final service condition for gears and shafts: hard wear-resistant case with a tough core; specify case depth (typically 0.3–1.5 mm).
What is 16MnCrS5 Case Hardened?
16MnCrS5 Case Hardened is 16MnCrS5 heat treated to Case Hardened — final service condition for gears and shafts: hard wear-resistant case with a tough core; specify case depth (typically 0.3–1.5 mm). 16MnCrS5 Case Hardened has a yield strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) — stronger than 84% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 16MnCrS5 Case Hardened 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). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Case Hardened is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 750 MPa (109 ksi), better than 84% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 9%, worse than 93% of steel grades
16MnCrS5 Case Hardened properties
Typical room-temperature values for 16MnCrS5 Case Hardened — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 16MnCrS5 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
16MnCrS5 Case Hardened 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).
Mechanical14
16MnCrS5 Case Hardened has a yield strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) — stronger than 84% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
16MnCrS5 Case Hardened is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °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).
Electrical2
16MnCrS5 Case Hardened has an electrical resistivity of 2.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 16MnCrS5 Case Hardened takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — more than 55% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
16MnCrS5 Case Hardened's machinability is not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 16MnCrS5 tempers and conditions
16MnCrS5 is also supplied in 10 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 16MnCrS5 overview.
- HRDefaultStandard stock condition for bar and billet that will be machined and then carburized.420 MPa yield · 180 HB
- Case HardenedFinal service condition for gears and shafts: hard wear-resistant case with a tough core; specify case depth (typically 0.3–1.5 mm).750 MPa yield · 60 HRC
- Q&TCore-property condition after case hardening (~880 °C quench, 180–200 °C temper) — pick when core strength must be specified.650 MPa yield · 30 HRC
- CDPick for turned/CNC parts made from bright bar where dimensional accuracy and chip control matter most.600 MPa yield · 225 HB
- +AC+CSpheroidize-annealed bar finished by cold drawing: close tolerances and bright surface with moderate strain hardening, still suitable for cold heading and later case hardening.520 MPa yield · 190 HB
- NormalizedUse to homogenize forgings and give a uniform ferrite–pearlite structure for consistent machining and later carburizing.400 MPa yield · 175 HB
- AnnealedBest condition for deep cold forming, cold extrusion and heavy machining before carburizing.350 MPa yield · 165 HB
- +ACSub-critical spheroidizing anneal giving globular carbides in ferrite for maximum cold-formability of this resulfurized case-hardening steel.330 MPa yield · 152 HB
Working with 16MnCrS5 Case Hardened
Is 16MnCrS5 easy to machine?
Machines well in +A/+CD condition — the 0.02–0.04 % S gives short chips and ~10–15 % better tool life than 16MnCr5; carbide, 120–200 m/min turning, machine before carburizing.
Can 16MnCrS5 be welded?
Weldable with preheat 150–250 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld stress relief; sulfur raises hot-cracking risk, so avoid welding carburized surfaces entirely.
Can 16MnCrS5 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold heading, extrusion and shearing done in +A or +S condition; hot forge 1100–1150 °C down to 850 °C then normalize or anneal before machining.
What surface finishes work on 16MnCrS5?
Not anodizable; protect with oil, Mn/zinc phosphate, black oxide or zinc-nickel plating (bake to avoid H-embrittlement), and grind/hone carburized surfaces after heat treatment.
16MnCrS5 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 |
| Sdeliberate sulfur addition for machinability | 0.02 – 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Cr | 0.8 – 1.1 | 0.95 |
| Fe | balance | — |
16MnCrS5 Case Hardened — frequently asked
What is 16MnCrS5 Case Hardened used for?
16MnCrS5 Case Hardened is typically used for gears, shafts and pins. In short: carburizing Cr-Mn-S bar.
What is the yield strength of 16MnCrS5 Case Hardened?
16MnCrS5 Case Hardened has a typical yield strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) — stronger than 84% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is 16MnCrS5 Case Hardened easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades). Machines well in +A/+CD condition — the 0.02–0.04 % S gives short chips and ~10–15 % better tool life than 16MnCr5; carbide, 120–200 m/min turning, machine before carburizing.
Can 16MnCrS5 Case Hardened be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Weldable with preheat 150–250 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld stress relief; sulfur raises hot-cracking risk, so avoid welding carburized surfaces entirely.
What surface finishes work on 16MnCrS5 Case Hardened?
Not anodizable; protect with oil, Mn/zinc phosphate, black oxide or zinc-nickel plating (bake to avoid H-embrittlement), and grind/hone carburized surfaces after heat treatment.
Can 16MnCrS5 Case Hardened be formed, bent or molded?
Cold heading, extrusion and shearing done in +A or +S condition; hot forge 1100–1150 °C down to 850 °C then normalize or anneal before machining.
What is the maximum service temperature of 16MnCrS5 Case Hardened?
16MnCrS5 Case Hardened is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 16MnCrS5-HR and 16MnCrS5-CD?
HR is the default condition — standard stock condition for bar and billet that will be machined and then carburized. CD: pick for turned/CNC parts made from bright bar where dimensional accuracy and chip control matter most. Yield strength is 420 MPa in HR versus 600 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in 16MnCrS5 Case Hardened?
Yes — 16MnCrS5 Case Hardened is available for CNC machining 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 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 and Processes (carburizing) — ASM International (2013)
- Case-hardening steel 16MnCr5 / 16MnCrS5 (1.7131 / 1.7139) datasheet — European long-products mills (e.g. Ovako / Saarstahl / Deutsche Edelstahlwerke) (2022)
- GB/T 3077 (comparison grades 20CrMn/20CrMnTi) — SAC (2015)
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.